Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1905-08-05
THE DIAMOND RIVER

~ DAVID MURRAY

Then the engine shrieked ut the signal,
and the train gave first sign of reent
ing In its pace. lie rose for another look
It'll take lot more than that" he
said "a lot more than that"
He had Travelled by crooked ways for
days past. making apparently purpose
less Journeys across country. and chang
ing one railway system for another, and
he was now in city to which he was
an entire stranger. He left porter in
charge of his belongings and walked from
the station platform into the hotel.
II sent a telegram from Burton yes.
terday--Jones-rcserving bed and sitting
| room.'
Quite right. sir. Roberts. 80 and 81
for this gentleman"
This way. SIR"
Jethroe followed the waiter and stood
by while he lighted the fire. the materials
Of which were already arranged.
ANY orders. sirY"
Barber In the hotclT
"Yes. SIR"
"Send him here"
The waiterd melted sclf-deprecating
away. and in few minutes returned to
usher In the barber. Jethroc stood by
|
above his ears and the ribbons of his
tapped travelling cap tied beneath his
chin. He reflected that he had been bare.
ly glanced at. and that he could make
what change he would without exciting
observation.
Just trim me up. will your" he said
carelessly. as he threw his cap and coat
| upon n chair.
The man hustled about. spread a cloth
upon the floor. set chair In the midst
of 1t. smothercd his seated client In a
wrapper. and took n professional look q,
him.
"Nfuch off. sir?"
Make me as smart NJ you can. my
lad" Jethroe answered. with n laugh
"Fve been abroad this twenty years. aud
I'm going to an old pals wedding to-
morrow"
II can take them twenty years of yor
In twenty minutes"
take It," Jcthroe answered.
The barber beamcd, and set to WORT
at once. lie cut the grizzled wiry hail
away by the handful. and then fell to q
more delicate manipulation. lie trim
med the bristling eyebrows close. ant
shaped the struggling mistache.
"a touch Of cosmatCek. sirY" he said
almost pleadingly.
Anything you like" said Jethroe
laughing again. make job Of It,"
The man fell to work once more will
n dark, viscous mixture and a NINA tur,
brush and comb. Then he produced ,
hand glass with n triumphant flourish
and Jethroe. looking into II, saw who'll,
unfamiliar face.
"rhey won't know me-" he said.
The neat dark eyebrow. the trim darl
mustache, the military crop Of the griz
zled hair, the absenc. Of the beard. ha,
made another man Of him. When h,
had paid and dismissed the artist VIII,
had wrought this change. he strolled int,
the bedroom. and, finding there full
length chcval glass. surveyed himself Il
a sort Of wonder. The metamorphosis o
the head seemed to have changed hi
whole personality. His figure was still
1.-THE and upright. and the well-cut. darl
tweed suit he wore sat smarty on him
"rhc neck gear won't do" he said. sinil
ingly. ".rhe vanished beard has left III
n throat like vulture's. And the boots
The hat will he another. Ill mend al
that straightway."
lie rang his bell. gave his orders. IN,
In less than an hour was equipped t
his liking.
Upon my word" he declared. as h.
examined himself anew. "Im very pas
sable looking fellow. l was never mucl
addicted to personal vanity. and
haven't given my attractions much Of
chance Of late years. You're very wei
preserved. Martin, and you'd pass for
hard-bitten forty anywhere"