Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-10-26
SHORT STORY FOR
EVENING HOURS
A CAMERA 0BSCURA VICTIM

ting room of Mr.. Pompus's rooms at
Rocksandson.Sea.
Mrs. Pompus, like another bright
luminary, but far roster and, II pos.
sible. more warm hearted than Old Sol
himself, sat behind the tea urn dis
pensing China tea in china cups.
MY dear" said her stern and less
substantial half suddenly, ut must be
stopped.
Mrs. Pompus smiled more broadly
than ever. you mean Vera's engage
ment7' she asked.
Certainly, my dear. ! will not
have my chid-the daughter of re-
spectacle publisher-marry penniless
ard struggling author"
All. well" sighed Mrs. Pompus, Il
suppose you know best. Suppose
James Holmes comes down bere!"
Suppose he gets a warm reception
ii he does!" snapped Pompus.
where's Vera?" he asked suddenly,
She went out early this morning
for a walk" said Mrs. Pompus. she
should be in soon"
Breakfast proceeded in silence, till
the object of all this discussion sud.
denly burst into the room. Her dark
hair was delightfully."- wavy, and a few
curls had wlllfully strayed about her
forehead Her eyes danced with mer,
riment, and her delicately tinted cheeks
and buoyant spirits bore evidence Of
health.
James Holmes had arrived from
town on the previous evening and had
acquainted her with his intended visit
by telegraphing to a certain letter bu
reau in the town, where wires and let
ters could be called for. Breakfast
over, Vera, after pleading exemption
from shopping, hurried to the parade,
where she found her lover awaiting
her.
"Oh, Jimmy" she cried, its splen.
did! Fathers golfing and mothers
shopping, so we're free from being
molested In that quarter"
When does your father return"
asked Holmes.
About / o'clock. | must be In then"
I've thought of good idea," said
Jimmy brightly. Before we venture
along the parade, II uncertain about
the coast being clear, well slip into
the camera obscura and get the attend.
ant to turn the rejecting lens in every
direction, so that any undesirable -
and he smiled-'will be thrown on to
the white table. In short we shall be
able to see all who pass and who are
within range without being SEEN"
1t was a perfect August morning.
Vera and Jimmy reveled in the gor.
geous sunshine as they sat on the
beach.
81 am putting all know into my last
book, Vera" said Jimmy, "and If 1t
succeeds we will be married.
Vera's reply was not conveyed In
words.
The two lovers made their way to the
camera obscura, at the end of the pa
rade, the door Of which faced the most
frequented part Of the promenade.
Soon they were inside. looking at
the series OF animated pictures thrown
on the white disk. Suddenly, as the
reflector was turned full on to the
whole length of the parade, Vera gave
vent to stified cry of dismay.
"oh, JIMMY" she whispered.
"Look!"
Jimmy followed her fingers as she
pointed to small figure clad In knick.
ers and carrying golf sticks. which had
just appeared ON the table.
IT'S father!" murmured Vera. And
he's coming straight toward u.s."
Jimmy gave vent to a prolonged
whistle.
Don't turn the rejecting lens" he
said desperately to the camera man
1--WE want to watch something"
They noted the approaching Mr..
Pompus with closest scrutiny. Pres.
emily he sat down on seat, opened out
u paper and began to read. Mr.. Pom.
pus, whose every feature stood out bold
and clear, had apparently come to stay.
Nov. how far away would that fig.
ure be from u.s." asked Vera of the
camera man, indicating the reposeful
and apparently contented Mr. Pom.
put.
About ten yards, miss"
The situation was desperate. To
emerge from the camera obscura meant
counting complete disaster.
"We'must stay in here" whispered
Jimmy.
"oh. look at the old gentleman on
the seat!" cried Vera, meaning her
father Hes lighting his pipe"
Il know the old gentleman well by
sight" volunteered the camera man.
Sometimes he stays for hours on thai
there seat. It's his fayorite place"
"The deuce it Isl" murmured Jimmy.
"And does the old gentleman on the
seat ever come in here?' asked Vera
in trepidation.