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About Custer County Republican. (Broken Bow, Neb.) 1882-1921 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 3, 1908)
THE REPUBLICAN , OUSTJ8& COUNTY , l l/bo// ! ! * * * * / ! 8 , * ' ' ' ' ' By 'RQ'B&'RT W. CHAM'BE'RS , Author of "The Fichtintf Chance , " Etc. * T COPYRIGHT , 1007 , DY ROBERT \V. CHAMBERS. J ff / * ffWff fl/A ffW / satisfied that Il'o n devilish good tiling. " "Arc .von ? " "Emphnllcally. I've mastered the details , virtually nil of 'cm. Hero's the situation In n grain of wheat. 'J'ho Slowllhu Huh owns n thousand or so ncrett of oak , scrub , pine scrub , sand ntiil woods and controls -l.Ono moro- Ihnt la to say. the clul ) pays the farm-1 era' rents nnd tlsos their fences and | awards them odd Join and prizes Tor the farm sustaining the biggest mini- tier of bevies ; also the club pays them to maintain millet and buckwheat patches and to act as wardens. In re turn the farmers post their ' 1.000 ncron for the exclusive benefit of the club Is that pl.ilnV" "Perfectly. " "Very well , then. Now. the Slowlthu Is largely composed of very rich men. nmong them Hrp.dloy Harmon , .lad : Ruthven. George Kane , Simeon Orchil , the Hon Delmoitr-Carnes-tlmt crowd rU'li and rtlngy. That's why they are contested with a yearly agreement with the farmers Instead of buying the 1,000 acres. Why put u lot of good money out of commission when they \v.i draw Interest on It and toss an In significant fraction of that Interest as a sop to the fanners ? Do you see ? That's your millionaire method , ami It's what makes 'em In the llrst place. " lie drew a large , fancy h.imlkoreulcf from his pistol pocket and wiped the beads from the bridge of his limber nose. Rut they reappeared again "Now. " he said. " 1 am satisfied that , working very carefully , we can secure options on every acre of the four thou sand ThtTc Is money In It cither way tind any way we work It. We get If coming ami going. I'lrst of all , If the Slo\vtha ! people find that they really cannot get on without controlling these acres , why" and he snickered HO that bis no.se curved Into a thin , mddy benk-"why , captain. I snppoo : ; we could let them have the land Kh ? Oh. yes. If they must have It ! " Solwyn frowned slightly. "Hut the point h. " emilluue-.l Neer- gard , "that It borders the railroad en the north , ami where the land Is not v.-avy It's flat na a pancake , and"he Bank his husky "volce-"lfB fairly rid- < Uud with water I paid n thousand dollars for sl'i tests. " "Wafer ! " repeated Selwyn wonder- Ingly. "Why. It's dry nn a desert ! " Tmlcrgro'.nid water-only about forty - ty feet on the average. Why. man. I ran hit a well flowing 3000 gallon * almost anywhere , ito n gold mine , i J don't crc : what you do with the \ ncreago-split It up Into lots and ad vertise or club the Siowllha people Into submission , It's all Hie same ; It's a gold mine , to be swiped and developed. | Now. there remain the title searching i nnd the Job of financing It. because ' we've got to move cautiously and knock softly at the doors of the money vaults , or we'll be waking up some Wall street relatives or secret busi ness associates of the yellow crowd , nnd If anybody bawls for help we'll bo up In the nlr nest New Year's nucl Btlll hiking skyward. " . m fie siooil up , pratliorlUB together lua mall matter which his secretary had already opened for Ids attention. "There's plenty of lime yet. Their leases were renewed the first of this year , anil they'll run the year out. But It's something to think about. Will you talk to Gerald , or shall 1 ? " I "You , " said Selwyn. "I'll think the matter over and give you my opinion. to brother-in-law May I speak my about IIV" I . Ncergurd turned in his tracks and looked almost at him. i "Do you think there's any chance of his financing the thing ? " I "I haven't the slightest Idea of what lie might do , especially" he hesitated "as yon never have had any loans from his people , I understand. " " " "I haven't. " "No. said Neergard. "It's rather out of their usual , 1 be lieve. " " .So they nay Hut Long Island acre age needn't beg favors now. That's nil over , Captain Selwyn Fane , Har- .toon & Co. know that. Mr. Gerard Ought to know It too. " Selwyn looked troubled. "Shall 1 consult Mr. Gerard ? " he repeated. " 1 Should like to If you have uo objec tion. " Neergard's small , close set eyea were focused on n spot Just beyond Sel- jvyn's left shoulder. "Suppose you r.ound him , " ho sug gested , "In strlctcst"- "Naturally , " cut in Selwyn dryly ami , turning to his Uttered desk , open ed the first letter his hand encounter ed. Now that hla head was turned , Noergnrd looked full at the back of his neck for a long minute , then went out silently. 0 * * * ' * * That ulght Selwyn stopped nt his nlster's house before going to his own rooms and , finding Austin alone In the library , laid the matter before him exactly as Neergard had put It. I "You see , " he added , "that I'm n sort of ass about business methods. ' This furtive pouncing on n thing nnd clubbing other people's money out of them with It this slyly acquiring land that Is necessary to an unsuspecting ' neighbor nnd then holding him up-l don't like. There's always something ' of this sort that prevents my cordial co-operation with Neergard-always ' something In the schemes which hints ! of of so.ncexlng-of something under- ' 1 ground " | ! "Like the water which he's going to i squeeze out of the wells ? " i Selwyn laughed I ' "Phil. " said his brother-in-law. "If you think anybody can do a profitable ] business except at other people's expense - pense you are an ass. " "Am I ? " asked Selwyn , still laughing frankly. I ' "Certainly. The land Is there plain enough for anybody to sec. It's nl- j ways been there. It's likely to remain ; for n few cons. I fancy. "Now , along comes Meynhecr .Inllus Neergard. the only man who seems to ! have brains enough to see the present ' value of that parcel lo the Slowltha people. Everybody else bad the same chance. Nobody except Neergard knew enough to take It Why shouldn't bo profit by It ? " "Yes , but If he'd be satisfied to cut It up into lots and do what Is fair" "Cut It up Into nothing ! Man alive , do yon suppose that Slowltha people would let him ? They've only a few thousand acres. They've got to control that land. What good Is their club without It ? Do you Imagine they'd let , a town grow up on three sides of their precious game preserve ? And. besides. I'll bet you that half of their streams and lakes take rise on other people's property and that Neergard knows It the Dutch fox ! " They discussed Neergard's scheme for a little while longer. Austin. r- Cffi&F ' \ Then ( IlkCiiKkcil Xccrgdnis scheme. shrewd and cautions , declined any per- Fonal part In ( lie financing of the deal , although he admitted Ihe probability of prospective profits. "Our Investments and our loans are of a different character , " he explained , "hut I have no doubt that Pane , Har mon & Co.- "Why. both Pane and Harmon are members of the club , " laughed Sel- wyn "Yon don't expect Neergard to go fj them1 A peculiar expression flickered In Gerard's heavy features. Perhaps bethought thought that Pane and Harmon and .lack Itiithvou were not above exploitIng - Ing their own club under certain cir cumstances ; but. whatever bis opin ion , he said nothing further and. sug gesting that Selwyn remain to dine , won I off lo dress A few moments later he returned , crestfallen nnd conciliatory. " 1 forgot Nina and I are dining at the Orchils' Come up moment She wantn to speak to you. " "So they "took the rose tinted rococo elevator. Austin went away to his own quarters , and Sulwyn tainted at Nina's boudoir. "Is that you , Phil ? One minute. Watson is finishing my hair. Come In now and kindly keep your distance , my friend. Do yon suppose 1 want Itosa- mniid to know what brand of wur paint J use ? " "Rosamund ? " } ie repealed , with n good humored shrug "It's likely. Isn't it ? " "Certainly It's likely. You'd never know you were telling her anything , but she'd extract every detail In ton seconds. 1 understand she mioi'i'S you , Phil. Klleen Is furloiM lit l.elng left hero all alone. She's | .rm tK-ally well , nail she's lo dim.- with Drlna In Ihe library. Would you be goo d enough to dlnu there with them ? ' / * thut yr.n , Phllt" 12 II eon , poor child , Is heartily sk-k of her Imprison ment H would be n mercy , Phil. " "Why , yes , I'll do It. of course , only I've some mailers at home" "Home ! You call those Bluffy , smoky , impossible , half furnished rooms home ! Phil , when are you ever going to get some pretty furniture and art things ? Kllcon nnd I have been talking It over , nnd we've decided to go there nnd see what you need and then order It , whether you like It or ! not. " "Thanks. " he said , laughing. " ' Just what I've tried to avoid I've got things whore Iwaul , them now. but I knew It was too comfortable to last Hoots said that some woman would bo sure to bo good to iic with an art nouveau - voau rocking chair. " "A perfect sample of man's grati tude. " said Nina , exasperated , "for I've ! ordered two beautiful art nouveau rocking chairs , one for you and one for Mr. Lansing. Now you can go nud hu miliate poor lltllc Klleen. who took so much pleasure In planning with me for your comfort As for your friend Hoots , he's unspeakable with my com- pllmonls. " Selwyu stayed until he made peace wllh his sister , then he mounted to the nursery to "lean over" the younger children and preside at prayers. This being accomplished , he descended lethe the library , where Kllecii Krroll In n filmy , lace clouded gown , full of tur quoise tints , reclined with her arm around Drlnn amid heaps of cushions , watching the waitress prepare a table for two Ho took the fresh , cool hand she ex tended and snt down on the edge of her conch. "All 0. K. again ? " he Inquired , re taining Klleen's hand In his. "Tlnink you-qulte. Are you really going to dine with us ? Are you s.ure you want to ? Oh , 1 know you've giv en up some very gay dinner some where" " 1 was going lo dine with Hoots when Nina rescued me. Poor Hoots ! I think I'll tclephono"- "Tclephone him to come here ! " beg ged Drlnn. "Would he come ? Oh. please I'd love to have him. " "I wish yon would ask him. " said Klleen ; "It's been so lonely and stupid Ktlccn reclined with her arm nromi' ? Drlna. to lie In bed with a red nose and fishy eyes and pains In one's back and limbs Please do let us have a party. " So Selwyn went to the telephone nnd presently returned , saying that Boots was overwhelmed and would bo present at the festivities , and Drlna. enraptured , ordered ( lowers to he brought from flic dining room nnd n large table set for four , with particu lar pomp and circumstance. Mr. Archibald Lansing arrived very promptly , a short , stocky young man of clean and powerful build , with dark , keen eyes always alert nnd humorous lips ever on the c'Ige of laughter un der Ids dark mustache. Ills manner with Drlna was always delightful , a mixture of self repressed Idolatry and busily naive belief hi a thorough understanding- between them to exclude Selwyn from their com pany. "This Selwyn fellow here ! " he ex claimed. " 1 warned him over the phone we'd not tolerate him , Drlna. I explained to him very carefully that yon and I were dining together In strictest privacy. " "lie begged so hard. " said Klloon. "Will somebody place nn extra pillow for Drlna V They seized the same pillow fiercely , confronting each other ; massacre ap peared Imminent. "Two pillows , " said Drlna sweelly , nnd extermination was averted. The child laughed happily , covering one of Boots' hands with both of hers. "So you've left the service , Mr. I.ali ning ? " began Kllecn , lying back and looking smilingly at Hoots. "Had to , Miss Erroll. Seven million aires ran Into my quarters and chased me out and down Broadway Into the offices of the Westchester Air I.'ne company. Then these seven merci less millionaires In buckram bound and gagged me , stuffed my pockets full of salary and forced me to type write a fearful nud secret oath to serve them for five long , weary years That's n sample of how the wealthy grind this noses of the poor , Isn't It , Drlna ? " I The child slipped her hand from Ids , mailing uncertainly. "You don't mean all that , do yon ? " "Indeed , I do , sweetheart. " "Are you not n soldier lieutenant any more , then ? " she Inquired , horri bly disappointed. "Only a private In the workman's battalion. Drlua. " " ' " the child ob- "I don't care , retorted - btlnately. "I like you Just as much. " "How tall you're growing. Drlna , " remarked Selwyn. "Probably the early spring weather , " added Boots. "You're twelve , aren't iron ? " "Thirteen , " snld Drlim gravely. "Almost time to elope with me , " nodded Hoots. "I'll do It uow , " she mild "aa soon ns my new gowns are made. If you'll take me to Manila. Will you ? I be lieve my Aunt Allxe Is there" She caught Klleou'n eye nud slopped short. "I forgot , " she murmured. "I beg your pardon , Uncle Philip. " Hoofs was talking very fast and laughing a great deal. Klleen's plato claimed her undivided attention. Sel wyn quietly finished his claret. Tl'ho child looked at them all. "Hy the way , " Raid Hoots abruptly , "what's the mailer with Gerald ? Ho came In before noon looking very needy. " Selwyn glanced up quietly. "Wasn't he nt the ollloo ? " asked Kl- Icon anxiously. "Oh , yes , " replied Selwyn. "He felt n ditto under the weather , so I scut him home. " "Is It the grip ? " "N > no , 1 believe not. " "Do you think he had better have n doctor ? Where Is be ? " "He was here. " observed Drlna com posedly , "and father was angry with him. " "What ? " exclaimed Klleon. "When ? " "This morning before father went downtown. " Hoth Selwyn ami Lansing cut In cool ly , dismissing the matter with a care less word or two , and coffee was serv ed , cambric tea In Drlna's ca c "Come on. " said Hoots , slipping n bride rose Into Drlna's curls. "I'm ready for confidences. " "Confidences" had become an estab lished custom with Drlna and Hoots. It meant that every time they saw one another they were pledged to tell each other everything ( hat had occurred In their lives since their last meeting. So Drlua , excitedly requesting to bo excused , Jumped up and , taking Lan sing's hand In hers , led him to a sofa In u distant corner , where ( hey Imme diately Installed themselves and be gan aji earnest and whispered ex change of confidences , punctuated by little whirlwinds of laughter from the child ILKKN settled deeper among her pillows aa the table was removed. "ml Soluyn drew his t < lmlr forward "What Is the mailer with Gerald ? " she ask ed. "Could you tell me ? " "Nothing serious Is the mailer , Ml- Icen. " "Is he not III. " "Not very. " She lay still a moment ; llien , with the slightest gesture , "Come here. " He seated himself near her She laid her hand fearlessly on his arm "Tell me , " she demanded And aa he remained silent , "Once , " she said , "I came suddenly Info the library. Austin and Gerald were there Austin seemed to be very nugry with my brother. I heard him say something that worried me , and I slipped out be fore they saw me. " Selwyn remained nllent "Was ( hat It ? " " 1 don't know what you heard. " "Don't yon understand me ? " " . " "Not exactly. "Well , then" she crlmr oncd-"ha8 Gerald m-mlsuchnveil again ? " "What did yon hear Austin say ? " ho demanded. " 1 heard something about dissipa tion. He was very angry with Gerald. It Is not Ihe best way. 1 think , to be come angry with cither of us either me or Gerald because then we arc usually Inclined to do It again , what ever It Is. " They laughed a little. Her lingers. which had tightened on hla arm. re laxed. her hand fell away , and she straightened up. sitting Turk fashion and smoothed her hair , which contact with the pillows had disarranged so that It threatened to come tumbling over eyes and cheeks. "Oh. hair , hair , " she murmured , "you're Nina's despair and my endless punishment. I'd twist and pin you tight If I dared. Some day I will lee What are you looking at so curiously , Captain Selwyn my mop ? " "It's about the most stunningly beautiful filing I ever saw , " he said , still curious. It was a new note In their cordial Intimacy , this nascent Intrusion of the personal To her It merely meant his very charming recognition of her ma turity-that she was fast becoming a woman 'Ike other women , to be looked at and remembered as nn Individual and no longer classed vagnoly as one among hundreds of thn newly emerged whose soft , unexpanded personalities all resembled one another. For some lime now she had cherish ed this tiny grudge in her heart-that he had never seemed to notice any thing In particular about her except when he tried to be agreeable con cerning some new gown. The contrast had become the sharper , too. tilnce she had "wakened to ( lie admit 'at Ion of other men. And the awakening wnu only half convinced happiness mlii gk-d v. 1th rliy ; surprise that the wise world should really deem her so love iy. iy."A "A red headed girl , " she imld lean Ingly. "I thought you had better taste than-than" "Than to think you u raving beau ty V' "Oh , " r.lic snIJ , "you don't think that1 ! Ay a matter of fact ho himself had become nwaro of It co suddenly that ho bail no time to think very much about It It was rather strange , too , thut lie h d not always bceii aware of It , or was U partly the mellow light from ( ho lamp tinting her till nho slowed and shimmered like n' ' young sorceress , Kitting so straight i there In her turquoise silk and misty lace ? When Drlna had gone to bed HOOB ( also look his leave , nnd Solwyn rose , too , a troubled , careworn expression replacing the careless gayety which' ' had made him seem so young In Miss ! Krroll'8 youthful eyes. "Walt , Hoots , " he said. "I'm going homo with you. " And to Klleon , nl- ' most absently : "Good night. I'm BO' ' very glad you arc well , again. " I "Good night , " she said , looking up nt him. The faintest sense of disappoint- went came over her-nt what she did not know. Was It because In his com-j pletely altered face tihe realized tho' ' Instant and easy detachment from herself - ! self and what concerned her ? Was It because other people , like Mr. Lansing -olhcr liitereKtH , like those which so plainly In his face betrayed his preoc cupation-had so easily replaced an In timacy which had sec-moil to grow new- < > r and more delightful with every meeting ? i What was It , ( hen , ( hat ho found more Interesting , more Important , than1 their friendship , their companionship ? Was she never to grow old enough or wlso-enough or experienced enough to' ' exact - wllhout exacting - his para-1 mount consideration ami lull-rest ? Was ( here no common level of mental' ' eiiuallly where ( hey could mcct-whero' termination of Interviews might bo mu tual , might bo fairer to her ? Now he went away , utterly detached from her and what concerned her , to1 seek other Interests of which she knew' ' nothing : absorbed In them to her ut ter exclusion , leaving her hero with the long evening before her nnd noth ing to do , because her O.VCH were not yet strong enough to use for reading , j Lansing was Baying , "I'll drive ns far as the club with you , and then you can ' drop me and come back later. " j "Right , my son. I'll finish n letter' ' and then come back. " "Can't you write It at ( ho club ? " ' "Not thai let tor , " he replied in a low ) voice and , turning to Kllocn , smiled his absent , detached smile , offering his hand. j Hut she lay back , looking straight up nt him. "Are you going ? " "Yes. 1 have novcral" "Stay with me , " oho en Id In a low voice. I'or a moment the words meant noth ing ; then blank mirprlso silenced him , followed by curiosity. "la there something you wished to tell me ? " ho asked. "N-no. " Ills perplexity and surprise grew. "Walt a second , Hoots , " he said. And Mr. LaiiKlng , being n fairly Intelligent young man , went out and dihvn the stairway. "Now , " he mild too kindly , too sooth- Ingly. "what Is It. Klleen ? " "Nothing. I thought-lint I don't care. Please go , Captain Selwyn. " "No , 1 shall not until yon tell mo what troubles yon. " "I can't. " "Try , 121 Icon. " "Why. It Is nothing , truly It Is noth ing. Only I was It Is so early only a quarter past 8. " He seed ( there looking down nt her , striving to understand. "That is all , " she said , flushing a trifle. "I can't read , and 1 can't sew , j nnd there's nobody here. 1 don't mean ' to bother yon" I "Child , " he exclaimed , "do you want ! i me to stay ? " "Yes , " she unld. "Will you ? " He walked swiftly to the landing outside and looked down. j "Hoots , " he railed In a low 'vo'lco. ' ' "I'm not going home yet Don't wait for me at the Lenox. " "All right , " returned Mr. Lansing ] ' cheerfully. A moment later Hie front door closed below. Then Selwyn camu back Into the library. l-'or an hour he sat there lolling her i the gayest stories and talking the most delightful nonsense , alternating wllh Interesting Incisions Into serious sub jects which It enchanted her to ills- &ect under his confident guidance. Alert. Intelligent , all aqulvcr between laughter and absorption. su ! > had snt up among her silken pillows , resting her weight on one rounded arm , her npleudld young eyes fixed on him to delect and follow nnd Intelpret every change In his expression personal to ( he subject and to her share In It. Ills old self again ! What could be more welcome ? Not one shadow In his pleasant eyea , not a trace of pallor , of care , of that gray aloofness. How Jol ly , how young , he was after all ! They discussed or laughed at or men tioned and dismissed with a gesture a thousand matters of common Interest In that swift hour Incredibly swift unless the hall clock's deadened chimes wore mocking time Itself with mischievous effrontery. She hoard them , the enchantment still In her eyes. He nodded , listening , meeting her gaze with his smile undis turbed. When the last chime bad sounded slieiny back nmong her cush ions. " 'I haul : you for staying. " she said quite happily. "Do you think mo in teresting to real men , like you and Hoofs' " she asked. "Yts , " he oald deUberalely , " " ! do. " 1 don't know how luteiastlng , because I never quite realized how-bow you had matured. That was my stupid ity. " "Caplaln Selwyn , " lu confused Irl- urn , h , "you never gave me n chance ] I mean , you nlwaya were nice In In , the same w.iy you arc to Drlna. 1 liked It don't , please , misunderstand- only I Lucw there was something cUu , to me souicthliig more nearly your | own age. It was Jolly to know you ! were really fond of me , hut youthful | Bisters urow faster than you Imagine. And now , when you come , " ! shnll venture turo to believe It la not wholly to do me a kluducss-but a lltllc to do yourself one too. la that not the hnsls of friendship ? " "Yes. " "Community nnd equality of Inter est * , hn't It ? " "Yos. " "And-In which the-the charity of superior i-xpprlence and the Inattention of Intellectual preoccupation and the amused concession to Ignorance must Kteulily : , if gradually , disappear ? Is thai-It lee ? " Astonishment nud chagrin nt his mis conception of hur gnvc plaeo to outright - right laughter at hlu own expense. "Where on earth did you I moan that I am qnlle overwhelmed under jonv cuffing Indictment of mo. Old dufYont of my age" "Don't nay Hut. " she said. "That In pleading guilty to the Indictment and reverilug to the old footing. I shall not permit you to go back. " "I don't want to. nileuu. " "I am wondering , " she said airily , "about that 'ICIIeeu. ' I'm not wire hut that easy and llueiit 'Klleen' Is part of the fftdlclmoul. What do you call Gladya Orchil , for example ? " "What do 1 care what 1 call anybody - body ? " he retorted , laughing. Their light hearted laughter mlnglotj delightfully-fresh , free , uncontrolled , peal after peal. Shu sat huddled up like a schoolgirl , lovely head thrown back , her white bauds clasping her knees ; he. both feet squarely on ( ho floor , leaned forward , his laughter echoing hers , "What noiiFonse ! What blessed uon BoiHe you and I are talking ! " she said , "but It has made me quite happy. Now yon may go to your club. " " 1 don't want lo , " . "Oh , but you must" she was now dismissing him "because , although I ai-i convalescent , I am a little tired , and Nina's maid In waiting to tuck me In. " "So you fiend mo away ? " "Send you"Shu hesitated , de lightfully confused In the reversal of roles not quite convinced of this uow p.iwor which of Itself had seemed to Invent her with authority over man. "Yei : , " she said , "I must scud you away. " And her heart beat a Ilttlo fauter In her uncertainty as to his obedience , then leaped In triumph as he rose with a reluctance perfectly visible. "Tomorrow , " she said , "I nm to drlvo for the first time. In the opening I may be permitted to go ( o the Grays' mid-Lent dance , but not to dancn much. Will you be there ? Didn't they a if/i/ion / / on a tall , thin o/riss. / ask you ? I nluill tell Smldy Gray what I think of him , 1 don't care whether It's for the younger set or not ! Goml- ness me , aren't yon a young as any body ? Well , then , so we won't sro each other tomorrow. And Ihe day nfler that oh , 1 wish I had my en gagement list. Never mind ; I will lele- phone yon when I'm to be at home or wherever I'm going t-o he. Hut It won't bo anywhere In particular because - cause It's Lent , of course. Good night. Captain Selwyn. You've been very Hweet fo mo. nnd I've enjoyed every single Instant" When lie had gmio she rose , " a trlllo excited In the gjow of abstract happi ness , and walked erratically about mulling to herself , touching and rear ranging objects that caught her atten tion. Then an Innocent Instinct led her to the mirror , where nhe stood a moment looking back Into the lovely relleclcd face with Its disordered hair. "After all. " she said. "I'm net as aged as I pretended. I wonder if he la laughing at me now. Hut he was very , very nice lo me. " Selwyn was playing the flx/.lnfl con tents of a siphon upon the lct-1 Ingre dients of a tall , thin glass which stood on a table In the Lenox club The governor's room being deserted except by himself and Mr. Lansing , he continued ( he animated explnnatlou of his delay In arriving. "Sn I stayed. " he said to Hoots , with nn enthusiasm quite boyish , "and I bud a perfectly bully time. She's Just as clever as she can be. startling at moments. I never half appreciated her. She formerly appealed to me in n dif ferent way. a young girl knocking nt the door of the world and no mother or father lo open for her ami show her i ho glmcracks nnd the freaks and the xldi'shows. Do you know. P.oots. that come day that girl U going to marry pomc-l.ody. and It worries me , men as ! do , unloas yen should think of"- "Great .lames , " faltered Mr. Lan- dug , "are .you turning into a Echnt- FChon ? Are you planning to wnJtila through Iho world making matches for your friends ? If you are I'm quitting- you light here. " "It's only because you arc the tie- contest man I h.ippcn to know. " paid t > lw > n roFcnlfully. "Probably she'd turn you down anyway. Itiu" and he ( Contiuued next week , )