The Wichita daily eagle., 1893-06-10

1
anywhere for an innocent disciple o.
I.aak Walton.
For moment they stood thus, look
| ing at each other Then the convic,
spoke.
Can you lend me fver?" he asked
''Oh, yes.''
Carelessly opening his purse, and dis
playing a good number of bank notes
he passed one to the unsteady hand
| held out.
want any more?" he asked, with a
queer laugh.
''Til take another if you can spare it. ,
| A second note was passed from hand
to hand.
| Thanks" said the convict. "Now
tell me your name and address. shall
/ want to send these things back to you
| if-if have any luck"
And the effort to steady his voice was
| quite apparent
''Caleb S. Hardness, United States
| frigate Bruiser, now lying at Plym-
outh," replied the other, tersely.
"Ah. you are an Americana
THAT is why don't care hang for
your laws"
"Mr. HarkneSS-Or what?'
'Im her captain, he replied, mod
estly.
They shook hands and parted
1t was only as he plodded along the
Tavistock road, limping in the regula-
ton shoes, that the American remem-
bered that he had quite omitted to ask
the convict any questions. He had
parted with his macintosh, and it was
pouring.
Yet he regretted nothing, and at
times queer smile fitted over his
countenance. He was man holding
very decided views of his own upon
most subjects, and no one suspected
him of it, because he never sought to
force them upon others.
What he loved above all in men was
that species of audacious and gentle
manly GOODNESS which is found in
greater perfection in the ranks of the
British aristocracy than anywhere else
in the world.
Two days later he received his wa
ders, macintosh and brogues, also a
new fishing rod of the very best quality
made in England and two fve-pound
notes.
Caleb S. Hardness in due course rose
as high as he conveniently could in the
navy active and turned his attention to
the navy passive, which latter means a
nice little house in Washington and the
open arms of the best society in that
enlightened city.
Thus in six years time we find Caleb
S. Hardness moving, not in the bed of
an English trout stream, but in the lap
of WashlngtOnian luxury.
1t was a great night in the govern
ment city, for England had sent one of
her brightest stars to meet the lumi-
naries of the United States in peaceful
arbitration. The British plenipoten-
titude, but he was the eldest son of a
British earl, and had a title of his own.
That was enough for Washington.
with some to spare for Boston and New
York
Also he had proved himself equal to
two American statesmen and their re-
spective secretaries. He was, there
fore, held in the highest esteem by all
the political parties except that to
which the worsted statesmen belonged.
The presidents levee was better at
tended than usual-that is to say, there
was not even room on the stairs. and
Americas first-born, as per election,
had long ago lost all feeling in the digits
of his right hand.
The British attache came towards
Harkness
''Harkness,' he said, II want to in
troduce you to Lady Storrel.''
The American followed, with smile
on his lean face.
Lady Storrel, let me present to you
Harkness, the man." he
added, over his shoulder, who is
going to make the United States the
first naval power in the world"
And with a good-natured laugh the
attache went off.
''Is that true?" asked the lady, smil-
ing with that mixture of girlishness
and English grandladyism which was
so new to Caleb S. Hardness.
Quite he answered; but am not
going to tell you how
In few minutes they had found a
seat beneath a marvellous stand of
flowers, and she was chattering away
like schoolgirl, while he listened and
added here and there keen comment
Or humorous suggestion.
Presently she began talking of her
self, and in natural sequence of her
husband, of their home in England, of
his career, and her hatred of politics
And" she sad, suddenly, at the end
IF it, 'here is my husband"
He followed the direction of her
glance and looked upon a man in Eng
.ish court dress coming towards them.
'Ah!' he said. in a peculiar, dull
voice, this is your husband?"
She was smiling upon the man who
reckoning him to come
with her eyes, as women sometimes do.
She turned sharply upon Harkness. her
attention caught by something in his /
voice.
Yes" she answered.
Harkness had risen with a clatter of |
his sword on the polished floor and |
stood awaiting the introduction.
My husband-Admiral Hardness
The men bowed. and before they |
,oul6 exchange word fair young |
man came up.
'Phew, this is worse than Simla." he (
said. Then, offering his arm :, Lady I
Storrel, Alice" he continued. II have |
discovered some ices, the most lovely /
ices
THY moved away, the lady favoring /
Harkness with little nod. leaving the /