The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1896-11-20
CHAPTER NJ.

W1aJ CDanEedDle CldTdcpeT. OF the
last two or three days he had been mop
ing around like one who meditated sui
eide; now he suddenly became the
brightest individual aboard, when
every one else was wondering what was
going to happen to the ship. For man
to be moody and distraught while dan
gerwas impending was not at all surpris-
ing; but that man, right in the midst
of gloom, should suddenly blossom out
into a smiling countenance and gen.
eral hilarity of manner, was something
extraordinary. People thought it must
be a case of brain trouble. They
watched the young man with interest
as he walked with a springy step up
and down deck. Every now and then
a bright smile illuminated his face,
and then he seemed to be ashamed that
people should notice he was feeling
hilarious. When he was alone with
himself he had habit of shifting his
thigh and bursting out into laugh
that was long and low. rather than loud
and boisterous. No one vas more as
tonished at this change than Fleming,
the politician. George met him Oh
deck, and. 10 the great surprise of that
worthy gentleman, smote him on the
back ard said:
''My dear sir. | am afraid the other
day, when you spoke to me, answered
a little grufily. beg to apologize.
Come and have drink with me-.
''Ok. don't mention it," said Fleming,
ioyously: I'VE all of us have our little
down turns now and then. Why, |
have myself, when liquor is bad or
scarce. You mightn't believe it, but
some days 1 feel away down in the
mouth. 1t is true, | have q receipt
for getting up again, which l always
use-and that reminds me. Do you re-
member what the governor of North
Carolina said to the governor of South
Carolina?"
I'm sure l DON'T" said Wentworth;
you see I'm not very well versed in
United States politics"
"Well, there wasn't much politics
about his remark. He merely said:
It's long time between drinks; come
in and have something with me- 1t
seems to me you haven't tasted any
thing in my company since the voyage
began"
81 believe" said Wentworth, that is
a true statement. Let us amend it as
soon as possible, only in this case let me
pay for the drinks. L invited you to
drink with me-"
Not at all, not at ALL" cried Fleming;
''not while I'm here. This is my treat,
and it is funny to think that man
should spend week with another man
without knowing him. Really, you
see, haven't known you till now"
And so the two worthy gentlemen
disappeared into the smoking-rOom and
rang the electric bell.
But it was in his own stateroom that
George Wentworth's regularity came
out at its best. He would grasp John
kenyon by the shoulder and shake that
solemn man, over whose face a grim
smile would appear when he noticed the
exuberant jollity of his comrade.
John" Wentworth cried. "why
don't YOU laugh?"
'Wen. it seems to me-" replied his
comrade. that YOU are doing laughing
enough for us both. 1t is necessary to
have one member of the firm solid and
substantial. I'm trying to keep the aver
age about right. When you were in the
dumps l had to be cheerful for two.
Now that you feel so funny, l take a
kind OF melancholy vacation, to rest me
after my hard efforts 1T cheerfulness."
"Well, John, it seems to me too good
- / -. 81, nc
tc do such a thing! How did she
know but that the little vixen had a re-
volver with her, and might have shot
HERO
81 suppose she didn't think about the
matter at all
"Have you seen her since that dra-
matte incidcnt?"
seen whom? Miss Brewster?'.
NO. no; mean Miss Longworth.'
no; she hasn't appeared Yet. Sup
pose she fears there VIII be scene. and
she is anxious to avoid it,"
every likely that is the case" said
Wentworth. well. if you get to see
her, you can tell her there is no dan
ger. Our genial friend Fleming has
had talk with thatnewspaper woman,
so he tells ne, and the way he describes
1T is exceedingly picturesque. He has
threatened her with giving away the
snap as he calls it, to the other New
York papers, and it seems that the
only thing on earth that Miss Brews-
ter is afraid of is the opposition press.
So she has promised TO say nothing
more whatever about the incident"
Then you have been talking with
Fleming?"
Certainly have; jovial good fell
low he is. too. have been doing some
thing more than talking with him; 1
have been drinking with him."
sand yet day or two ago. under
stand, you threatened to strike him.
"a day or two ago, John! 1t was
ages and ages ago. y day or two isn't
in it. That was years and centuries
since, but not by time. 1 was an old
man then; now have become young
again, and all on account of the plucl1y
action of that angel of 4 girl of yours. -