The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-07-27
A MAN OF ACTION.
Frorn the King.1


ed off Tangier. 1t was about eleven in
the morning, and her owner, Lady VIC
let Denham, a pretty girl OF some ~
years, reclined in a luxurious deck
chair, chatting to a middle-aged lady
who was industriously knitting by her
side.
Lady Violet let her glance rest idly on
the white patch of fiat-roofed houses
that struggled from the shore away to
the higher ground.
Didn't that guide man say he would
take US to see the market today2"
Mrs Rollofeld looked toward the
shore, and pointed with her knitting
needle to a boat that had just pushed
Off from the little wooden jetty-
THAT looks rather like the creature,
doesn't it2"
Lady Vi rose from her seat and leant
We'll, hope he'll be able to show
us something to distract our thoughts,
she said.
Mrs. Rollofeld laughed.
MY dear Violet, here you are,
young lady of title, absolutely your
own mistress. a large fortune. and you
succeed in doing nothing but bore your
self! Why on earth don't you marry2
Whatever a husband turns out event
ually to be, he is, at least, q temporary
diversioni"
Lady vi was gazing thoughtfully out
with a sudden look of resolution.
Il Will" she declared. Wen leave
for Cairo tomorrow
A slight look of perplexity crossed
Mrs. Rollofeld's face.
"Cairoi'' she murmured. rehectivelv.
ooh, that's where that engineering man
has gone; the man who is forever en-
gagged in big Schemes She paused
and looked up at Lady vi. do you
think you would like him for a husband
dear?'
He's a man: does big things; is a
workerl" exclaimed Lady vi.
Emil" said Mrs Rolloheld, reflective
~. Personally, I should have preferred
the Duke. I suppose he proposed to
you?'
Lady vi nodded thoughtfuIly.
Then what's the matter with him %
continued Mrs. Rolloheld. ct confess I
find him desperately amusing"
That's JUST 1.-THE is amusing and
nothing else A good-loolxing idler, who
has never done a useful thing in his
life-too lazy even to be emotional. You
know how he dirted with that Ameri-
can girl, Mamie Garison2 Well, he act
ually had the audacity to propose to me
the same evening that he sat out five
dances with her. He remarked that it
was a pity, and that he would ask me
again next week! I settled it definitely
Dy setting out with the yacht on this
trip" She turned round to Mrs. Rollo-
neld, And expect shall settle it still
more definitely by my visit to Carol"
Did the worker-the man who does
big things-get as far as that?" asked
Mrs. Roliofield, in mild surprise
He didn't quite dare" said LADY
Violet, with a soft laugh
1 wish the Duke had taken to build
ing railways and damming Niles. and
that sort of thing; but then, I suppose
ne wouldn't have been so amusinEI"
frs To~71
violet, here's the guide alongside
All hour later they were in the won,
derful Soko at Tangier. being shown
round by the guide. They bought sew
eral curios at fabulous prices. Lady
Violet was just lingering a murderous
looking knife when an exclamation
from Mrs Rollofeld caused her to turn
her head.
She saw a man, an Englishman
dressed in naval uniform, watching
them with an amused smile from few
yards distance. As their ewes met he
strolled forward and saluted.
Lady Violet was too much amazed
70 speak for a moment. She dropped
the Knife on the stall, her eyes taking
in every detail of the newcomers an
pearance. Then she laughed
This IS absurd!'' she said
Altogether he agreed. err an
proaches the grotesque''
Il set out specially in nv yachf fo
escape you, she cried.
lis not in mortals to command
success. he quoted; and the more
deserving the end, the least likelihood
there is of its being achieved"
But my dear Duke, why are Won
masquerading in naval uniform?"
Mere ACCIDENT You see got down
to Glib, and found my cousin, George
Alesham, was there. He's q service
man, in command Of a DESTROYER. He
was doing run across here and vol
unteered to take me. On the way over
we found the Straits a bit rough. and
got my pretty clothes all wet and
spoilt. So Cousin George fitted me out
In some spare rig of his, and here 1
am"
Mrs. Rollofeld saw an opportunity.
You viii have time to lunch on the
yacht? We are just going back
shall I have tfme?" he said, with a
good humored smile. sOld George is in
the Continental now-I left him to or
der lunch-''
Il think you will have time. par
dcularly if the commander comes too.
They can't sail without him. Mrs.
Rollofeld said.
The Duke went and fetched Cousin
George who was agreeably surprised
at the new arrangement Then the
whole party went off to the yacht and
had very jolly lunch. Afterward the
commander stayed down in the draw
ing room and chatted with Mrs Rollo-
field So there was nothing else left
for the Duke and Lady vi but to go
on deck.
so you are really having a good
trip-enjoying yourself2"
'Immenselyl'' she cried. with enthu-
siasm.
The Duke pulled a cloud of smoke
refiectively.
You seemed awfully annoyed at my
proposing to you that night!'' he re-
marked. 8 Pom my word can't think
why-I'n q most easy going fellow"
Don't you think a girl wants some
thing more than an easy going fell
low for husband2'' she asked. "And
just look what you arel You have
never done a useful thing in your life
certainly never anything that caused
you real EFFORT"
And you proposed to me- she con-