The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-10
NEMESIS HAD LONG TUBE
THE CoLoNEL's BREAKFAsT CHAT
ENDED WITH 4 SURPRISE.

inc VlsItor 10 Lhc olu DOarder as they eat down
at table for breakfast.
The old boarder took in the frescoes, tho
music gallery, and the table lamps fitted with
red shades with a melancholy gaze.
YES" he replied with u sigh, as he helped
himself TO luscious red strawberries.
Feed you pretty we'll, too. don't they7" con
| tinued the visitor.
Tho old boarder glanced apprehensively nj
the door before looking over the bill Of fare and
ordering shad, %cucumbers, and lamb chops.
yes" he replied. witt another sigh.
MANY people here YOU know2' the visitor
won't on.
The old boarder gave a third sigh. Then rs
he was about TO answer, he heard some one
come UP behind him. With a start, lie turued.
II proved to be only the waiter, who had come
back to ask II he should make a dressing for
the cucumbers. The old boarder looked re.
lIeved.
whats that you were saying2 Many pco.
pie hero l know oh, yes" he replied with a
shudder. Then he looked hopeful for n mo-
ment. Say he said. calling back the waiter,
has the Colonel been down to breakfast YETI"
mo, sir, not yet" replied the waiter.
Just my COMPOUNDED luCkW growled the old
boardcr. And just when I've a friend with
me, tool" Then an inspiration came to him.
Say, I'll tell you what he said, "1M intro
duce him TO you II he comes over TO us and you
can talk to him. A most interesting man, l as
sure you. And l can leave you here with him.
You'd like to meet him. wouldn't your"
Meet whof' asked the visitor.
''The Colonel replied the old boarder.
He's immensel That's what I'll do. sure!
I'll introduce him to you
Who's the Colonelf' returned the visitor.
Halo! What's the mattert' he exclaimed
as he saw a guest near the door jump up SO
suddenly as to upset his coffee pot.
A tall man with a square head and iron gray
hair and moustache entered the room. smiling
and rubbing his hands. The man at the first
table no approached held up IA newspaper so
hlnh rs 10 hide himself completely. The man
at the second table bent his head down so far
while he pretended to be searching for some
thing on the floor that 1t was hidden under
the table. The man at the third table didn't
see the approaching danger until the tall man
was standing over him. Then he acted with
promptness and decision.
Colonel" he cried. grabbing the hand Of
the tall man with one of his own. while with
the other he crammed what food he could into
his mouth hastily. I'm glad to see you. I'd
be glad to have you talk to me. But I've an
important engagements; so good by" and he
fed. leaving half his breakfast uneaten.
The tall man proceeded on his way down the
dining room.
Saw whispered the old boarder nervous
ly TO the visitor. IF he comes here I'm going
to introduce him to you and light out. You'll
be sure to like him. you know"
who Is her" asked the visitor.
Ssh! sh!'' said the old boarler hastily,
Don't let him think that we are noticing
him. and perhaps he won't come near us"
The tall man passed down the room and sat
down at q table near q corner. Behind him
was sitting an. old, gentleman with silvery-
The old gentleman was toying with some par.
ticularly big and juicy berries, when the
shadow Of the tall man NJ, fell across him. He
down at the berries lovingly. and finally al
lowed himself to be tempted. He went on
"Seems to be Mckinley sure now, doesn't
it2" said the visitor In an of1hand way, taking
a safe subject of conversation.
A look OF horror came over the face Of the
"shi shi sh!" he Kissed. Don't you know
con-" returned the visitor blankly.
Yes .reioined the old boarder, "and If he
got the Idea into his head he'd come over and
TN! uh!"' said the visitor. 81 feel rather
sorry Xh en1nt ah sss 5! Shah e@as dS@It t Yon, old n,araer,
'He once shook hands with the Shah! For
sake be careful. That's one of his
all the way to Persia and back again."
Well" said the visitor. somewhat nettled.
Why" answered the old boarder, "if YOU
S sss:a S1 Eso ;ssS 81 s sS%s?.'f Ba' mt I f tue sS %s'Sa
the benevolent looking old gentleman. The
the old gentleman, and the latter sat in the
corner with his back to the wall. The tall
man seemed a good deal Interested In what he
sary to sway his long body to and fro and wave
long arms in the air; The effect OF the
"A trocha vastly superior to Weyler's across
the narrow passage between his table and that
the old gentleman in the corner and apparent
ly making escape impossible.
gled Of sympathy and admiration.
Did you ever see such jaw Development"
he asked IN a low voice.
II In no way the spur of u
war ship; hut the muscles stood out In big
punches about it.
'Must lie a pretty good eater.' remarked the
"Eat2' reioined the old boarder with con-
tempt; Why, man, he hasn't time to eatNS
And IL was so, for his breakfast had grown
cold before him as the tumultuous torrent OF
burst out of his mouth with never a
Car he keep that up Ion e." asked the visi-
Keep II upr' returned the old boarder OPEN
Ing his eyes wide to give emphasis to his words. |
ny, man, with enthusiasm, "he can't.stop"
a curious change had come over the beneyo-
lent looking old gentleman. lie had long ago
ceased to toy with the berries, and when now
ne tflNl 10 nv one 10 MS mouth, his nIlIl
shook so that he could scarcely guide the fork.
\ .piteous, appealing expression replaced the
philanthropy which had beamed
from his face. and It's rosy hue seemed TO be
transformed to n pale, lurid green. as OF ok
exhaustion, Maybe his hair lad stuck
mp over his shining head before; but IL that
were so, II seemed more conspicuous. giving the
effect Of having risen on end. There seemed
also to have been produced n certain curyn-
ture Of the spine, rs If each nerve and muscle
u the body had strained and twisted to get as
far as possible from the Colonel, and the strong.
est had pushed the. weakest TO the front.
by Jove!" said the visitor: I'm sorry
him."
tits him or YOU" returned the old hoarder, |
srlIDly. Fat while you've got the chance"
The tall man was more interested than ever In
he wns saying. He Cliuched his fists and
them about the devoted lead of his COW,
ring victim. The old gentleman seemed on
The verge of collapse. when suddenly the
bright rays OF hope shune In his dimlning eyes
and he Strengthened himself in his chair. i
small. rail looking you"g woman. with n
sweet, serious face, came down the aisle he.
lwoan the rows OF tables. The old gentleman
to bis feet, broke through the trOcha,
and went TO meet her.
''Col lel," he said. this Is one of the most
interesting conversations II has ever been ms
good fortune To hear in all my life. hut
-. ,,t In,s. ,,t go |