The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1900-11-07

said. "And, by George! you are just in
time" He laughed as he spoke and
looked at Spencer with such a comical
expression that it instantly recalled to
the latter some amusing experiences of
the dear old school days.
What mischief are you up top he
cried. But here, I'm in the way. Don't
let me bother you. I'll see you in the
morning.
Hold on cried Jim, with plunge at
him. you don't get away from me to-
night. You stay right here until [ can
properly dispose of you."
Spencer noticed that his friend had a
crumpled telegram in his hand. but he
thrust it in his pocket as he drew Spen-
corner. 4 moment later there were some
hurried introductions, and then Spencer
found himself with his hand on the arm
of Palmyra's mayor. following closely in
the footsteps of Jim Robbins and the dis
tinguished guest of the evening as they
passed down the long aisle to the table
reserved for distinguished guests. The
Hon. Jack Speed was seated at jim S
right. and Spencer at his left. much to
the latter's increased uneasiness. Then
the banquet commenced. and for an hour
the clatter and chatter continued with
out Il break. Jim was as delightful as of
yore. dividing his attention very equally
between the guest of the evening and
Spencer. but the latter's heart was filled
with vague distrust.
When the clatter finally ceased jim
raped on the tables and in a nice little
! speech told of the purpose of the ban
! Quet. He introduced the mayor, who
briefly welcomed back the Hon. Mr..
Speed to Palmyra. Then the Hon. Mr..
Speed responded in brisk speech, testi-
| flying to his delight in returning home to
! Sucb friends and c1ch q yyalc0mo CON
| tinlent which was greeted with loud APP
| plause. Then jim arose again. with a
crumpled telegram in his hand. He
much regretted, he said, to be obliged 20
announce that the Hon. Dwight Perkins
could not be with them. A telegram he
| had just received announced a railway
accident that blocked the road and held
back Mr.. Perkins sixty miles away.
Our regret, however" said Jim, sis
| somewhat mitigated by the fact thar we
| fortunately have with us as an hOnored
| guest one of the most prominent of New
| Spencer Clifford, who will talk to us ON
the questions of the hour
AS Jim sat down patter of applause
ran around the hall and the long lines of
/ faces assumed an .eXpectant expression.
| Spencer gave him a horrible scowl as
| he rose to his feet. Then he turned to
| the auditors with pleasant smile. He
/
| be bluffed. And deep down in his soul
he felt gratifed that Jim-despite his
! cOnsummate meannesS-had confidence III
him. Jim knew he wouldn't huke. AS
his eyes roamed down the long table III
front of him they suddenly stopped.
! They rested Oil a wOman's face. 1t was
the face Of the woman whom above all
others he was anxious to impress. She
was looking straight at him with such Il
friendly, encouraging smile.
| He took mental brace. He had
meant to sit down at the end of his next
sentence. He kept right on. He talked
we'll. He talked still better as he warmed
to his subject. 1t was mostly a talk
about patriotism. He spoke of the inspir-
| ing effect OF the sight of the old flag
| when he saw it abroad. He told of the
| American who had fallen while attempt
ing an ascent in Switzerland and whom
| he had helped to carry to the nearest
| house where the hastiy-summoned sur
! geon could set his dreadfully fractured
| limbs. And how the surgeon had no
chiorOform when he came, and how the
poor fellow, his vitality almost gone had
asked them to sing while the operation
| went on, ito drown his groans," he said.
! And how the three Americans had sung
1.-THE Star-Spangled Banner" the sufferer
! presently joining in with shrill, Quaver-
ing voice, and apparently forgetting all
about the groaning. And how he after
ward looked UP With bright smile and
whispered. "Bet you an even hundred l
see the old flag again. and then Spencer
/ took occasion to say something pleasant
! about the men who were upholding the
dignity Of the flag at home and abroad.
with handsomely indirect compliment
TO Jack Speed.
When Spencer. finally took his seat the
| applause was vigorous and long drawn
| out, and Jim, his face flushed and his
eyes sparkling, grabbed Spencer's hand
j under the table and squeezed it hard and
said: Great. my boy, great!''
! Spencer looked down the long line
again. But she had drawn back and he
| could not see her face He wondered
what she thought of it ALL
! Presently Jim's fingers rested on his
! arm.
1T is all over" he said, "and we must
get our coats and hunt up Minnie. Min
! ME IS Mrs. jim. By the way, she has a
! young woman from your overgrown town
in tow tonight, a::d Wen have to escort
! her to her aunt's home Know her
! She's Miss Anna Goldie'
! A little later they were out in the omen
air, Anna walking with Spencer and Mr..
and Mrs. Jim going ahead
1T was splendid" murmured Anna.
splendid. You see, you can do some
| thing well if you really try
I'm sorry you doubted it." murmured
! Spencer.
II never doubted it." said Anna, 81