Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-03-26
By Ashley Towne
COPYRIGHT. 1901,
BY CHARLES n.
ETIIERlNGTON.
e 8 +

scarcely begun when Getchikotr sud
denly spied stylographic pen in Oar
rell's waistcoat pocket and requested
permission to use 1t. The pen wa.
u very large one, and good three
inches Of 1t protruded from the pocket
SO that 1t was quite conspicuous n.
Darrell sat there with his coat thrown
open.
Pen" cried Darrell, annoyed by tn,
incident and determined to save Getchi
koff from folly If possible or at leas
to avoid assisting him In the commits
sion of 1t. THAT isn't pen; it's {
musical instrument"
And he put it to his lips as one holds
n flute. Getchikoff, whose wits wert
by no means clear, seemed to credl
this fiction without question. Indeed
rs Darrell knew, he was man who
would believe anything of an Ameri
can, even to the eccentricity of car
rying little flute in waistcoat peck
ct.
1T is much used in my country" sale
Darrell politely. you might almos
call 1t the national instrument"
II never saw one before" replied
Getchikof, with perfect seriousness
and the jest was in fair way to pass
successfully when Ladislov, leaning
upon the table and looking keenly a,
Darrell, said:
Il would give much to hear you play
upon it,
Gordon glanced at LadiSlov in sur.
prise. being still convinced that the
man had sought to dIssuade Getchikofl
from drawing check. In fact, he had
distinctly heard him speak against that
course.
Would you?" said Darrell, REDEEM
Ing at this obvious attempt to put him
in difficulty. "Then you shall be
gratifed."
And softly, but with clear and very
agreeable tone, he played "Hail, Co.
lumbia" in manner that was a per
feet Illusion. 1t was trick that Oar.
rell had learned long ago, in college
days, when his repertory Of limitations
had included many instruments. Cor.
don, to whom the performance had
been familiar in those old times, could
not remember to have heard 1t better
done, and he experienced boyish de.
light in the utter surprise and confu-
sion Of the captain.
Having finished the air, Darrell smil.
ingly passed the pen to Ladislov, pro.
ceeding not unsafe, for the cap closed
and opened by means of a spring not
easily discovered. Incident to this
mechanism there were two perfora.
tons of the outer shell, which might
seem to connect with the inner parts,
though they did not.
'That's where you blow" said Oar.
rell, pointing to the holes, while Cor.
don controlled his countenance with
considerable difficulty.
Ladislov fumbled with the pen, and
he became red with wrath.
"a clever trick" he said in very un.
pleasant voice, ian accomplishment of
the vaudeville"
II do not like your tone, sir" said
Darrell calmly as he extended his hand
for the pen.
"And I do not like your American
Jokes" replied Ladislov, rising.
among gentlemen there are certain
views about lying
Gordon expected to see Ladlslov's
body so flying over the table behind
him, for he knew Darrell of old as q
man exceedingly prompt in such mat
tiers. But Darrell merely put the pen
into his pocket us If he had heard Moth
ing offensive, and, leaning back in his
chair, he regarded Ladislov with an
agreeable smile.
You should not permit yourself to
become excited" he said. 81 have been
informed by my physician that it is
exceedingly bad for the health"
Getchikoff was staring stupidity, un
able to comprehend what was passing
Seeing Ladislov standing, he staggered
to his feet.
"You are right" he said. 1--WE must
go. Gentlemen, we regret that We
have not more leisure"
And he struggled clumsily with his
watch. Ladislov remained for mo
ment scowling at Darrell and seeming
ly at loss for words; then, taking
Getchikoff suddenly by the arm, he lei
him away among the tables and int
the cafe beyond. Ten minutes after
ward the waiter whom Darrell hat
bribed came up behind him and sait
In u cautious tone:
Monsieur. did as you told me, bu
they found pen and ink inside. TIL,
man with yellow hair signed some
thing for the other"
"a check? 2" asked Darrell.
mo. monsieur; 1t was some sort o
document which the man with tn,
black beard took from his pocket"
"Thank you," said Darrell, reward
ing him once more.
'"They say" remarked the waiter
"that monsieur and the man with tn
black beard had quarrel"
'.They lie," said Darrell, addressin,
Gordon rather than the servant. "N
man can quarrel with me, and the mex
] one that tries 1t will get his head bro
ken. am here for rest"
He tapped gently on the table witt
his clinched fist to emphasize this state
ment, and Gordon laughed.
"You will go with my wife and me t
the students ball this evening"" h
said. '"That will be restful after tn
company in which you probably at
tended the last one. And. besides, w
shall leave before the trouble begins"