Evening journal., 1899-01-30

q
with the good news, and some DAYS
later not only an investigation was
made, but the model was tested.
/ was absorbed in othsr matters ana
also greatly disturbed by my wife's
illness, so only from time TO time dld
I see my American friend, whose chol-
eric propensities had changed into
bland amiability and high spirits.
Seated at dinner one evening. my
quiet was disturbed by the excitement
of Col.' Holden, ~ no grasssd Ina by the
hand and, seating himself by my side
exclaimed:
",dy dear Mr. Thompson, how can
ever thank you? My fortune is made
The government is going to cut all of
their old guns in two and introduce
my loading apparatus. | shall order
myself a yacht at once and arm her
with small guns, all on my model
"Not so fast-not so fast" said 1
"But, ~ he ratified on, Il have a farm
in Illinois overlooking the lake, a stun
ming sightl ! shall build me a house
and surround it by q fort mounted
With these guns" And on he ratified.
with plans equally wild. Then he sub
sided and ate his dinner like hungry
nan.
Eleven o'clock Thursday morning
was set for the great test of the new
gun. The war officials, at their own
expense, had cut down one of their
large guns and altered it with the cor
onel's new loading apparatus.
Wednesday evening, in greater ex-
citement than ever, he sent for me and
asked me to accompany him TO the
testing grounds the next day, which
l consented to co.
/ was somewhat detained on Thurs
day morning, for my wife had grown
worse, but arranging for her comfort,
/ hastened TO the coloners room, hop
ing to catch him there and rush with
him in a carriage, which had ordered
to the testing grounds. l knocked At
! No. 40 but no answer came, and after
several knocks / made my way quickly
/ to the Office.
where is Col. Holden?" / asked the
clerk
"In his room. sir, 1 suppose" an
swered he.
Then he must be asleep. for l have
knocked loudly and received no reply
Would you like me to go to his room
with you? Perhaps your wife is ia
and Col. Holden could. be of service 10
you," he ventured, i'm surmise to eN-
PLAIN my haste and excitement.
NO" said l. as we hurried up the
stairs, ''we had am official appointment
and have scarcely time to get TO the
testing grounds now"
We reached the door and knocked
even louder than before. No answer
came, ard the clerk turned the knob
of the door, which Offered no resist
ance But where was the colonel.
Gone. the model gun-bag and bag
gage, he inmate had departed. cousd
not understand but leaving the stupe-
fed clerk staring blan1ly. I rushed
down and jumped into the caE iage
which was waiting.
WAR Office" said.
At the Office I was admitted without
ceremony TO the secretary's presence
''IIaye the officers gone to the test
ing ground?" 1 asked, quite breath
lessly.
"You have just missed them" re-
piled the secretary, but if you drive
rapidly you will overtake tham."
Then you have heard no NEWS Of ouI
inventor?" l returned.
"Only that he is to meet our officers
for the test trial"
81 beg your pardon for my precipi
tate visit and viii hurry as you sug
gested. I fear there is some mystery
for which / hope you win not hold m,
responsible"
l was gone before Herr Won StaeC
could ask an explanation. and drove
madly to the testing grounds. die
not over,ake the officers, but found
them already giving their orders il
preparation for the trial.
"Has Col. Holden arrived?" I asked
Immediately.
"No. we are waiting for him. Blu
what could detain him? We had wa
a. gered he would be ordering the gun
ners about before we could get here.
"Wen, gentlemen" / said, reluct
antly, you might proceed with th'
trial. Col Holden has left his hotel
bag, baggage and gun"
by jove, that's like the mighty in
y ventor," said young Lieut.. Stein
"Kind of a disappearing gun carriage
eh, fellows?"
:, Hell come around later to claim tn
!, boodle," said another officer, "for h
has mighty plans for yachts an
castles on an American lake"
"Wen, gentlemen" said l, ''repor
upon this trial as favorably as possible
and I will try and find the colouc
= Au revoir," and I drove back TO m
hotel.
;, The clerk stood at the door waitin
y. for me.
- ~ messenger from the railroad sta
ton brought this, sir. after you left
"Wel, in the name Of all that
y queer. The colonel is honest. if el
IS centric"
The envelope contained check fc
the hotel bill, with neither word NJ
A cor11nouf