The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-06-21

OF relief. "rhat's one rock out OF tho
channel" be muttered
A bearer was waiting patiently for
him to 30 and change his dress. The
captain whistled softly to himself
when hc saw the dress suit all laid out
and everything In perfect order for u
'quick change" as he called II. AS
he finished dressing the "bos'n"--he of
the gorgeous livery appeared, an
nouncing. johnson Sabib. SIR"
"Whoi" querled Captain Larry.
"Sec'tary sahib. SIR"
"Ob, that's my private secretary" be
thought,
'I'yc brought the speech, Sir Lemu-
ei,' said the young man as he entered.
"You'll hardly have time to 10 through
II before we start"
Look here, Johnson" he said, II
think fever or something's working on
me. can't remember mems faces, and
get their names all mixed up. /
wouldn't 10 10 this dinner tonight II
aboard the shp--i mean ought 10
stay at home. Now want you to help
me through, and II II goes off all right
I'll double your salary next month.
Safe TO promise that" he muttered to
himself. Let Lem attend TO IT."
At the club as the captain entered
the band struck up God Save the
Queen"
/. by lingo, we're late"' be said "The
show is over"
"He has got fever or sun. sure"
thought his companion. "Ob. no, Sir
Lemuel. they're waiting for you to sit
down to dinner. There's Mr.. Barnes,
the judicial commissioner, talking TO
Colonel Short. SIR" added the secre.
tary, pointing TO tail. clerical looking
gentleman. Hes looking very much
cut up over the loss OF his wife"
"Wife dead: must remember that"
thought Larry.
Just then the judicial commissioner
caught sight OF the captain and has.
tened forward to greet him. "How do
you do, dear Sir Lemueli called this
afternoon. 80 sorry TO lind that Lady
Jones was away. You must find 1t
very lonely, Sir Lemuel. understand
this is the first time you have been
separated during the many years Of
your married life"
Yes, | shall miss the little woman.
That great barracks is not the same
without her sweet little face about"
That's pretty tall order" ejaculat-
ed young officer TO friend. And II
was. considering that Lady Jones was
an Amazonian type Of woman. Ave feet
ten. much given to running the whole
state and known as the "Ironclad."
But Larry didn't know that and had
to say something.
"Dear Lady Jones'" sighed the ju-
diclal commissioner pathetlcally. II
suppose she returns almost immediate
iy."
"The Lord forbid--at least not for a
few days. I want her to enjoy herself
while she's away. You will feel the
loss OF your wife. Mr.. Barnes. even
more than |. for Of course she will
never come back to you"
To say that general CONSERVATION
followed this venture of the captain
10 drawing II very mild indeed, for the
]. C.s wife was not dead at all, but
had wandered far away with a lieu
tenant In a Madras regiment.
TITS the Ironclad put him up to that.
She was always down on the J. O. for
marrying n girl half his age" said an
assistant deputy commissioner to
man standing beside him.
The secretary was tugging energetic
ally at the captains coat tails. what
is 1t, Johnson he asked, suddenly
realizing the tug.
''Dinner Is on. SIR"
Owing to the indisposition Of the
chief commissioner, by special arrange
ment the secretary sat at his left, which
was rather fortunate, for, by the time
dinner was over, the captain had look
ed upon the wine and seen that 1t was
good-had looked several times.
"Shall we have the honor of your
presence at the races tomorrow
pleasantly asked small, witty man.
four seats down the table.
The captain was caught unawares
and blurted out, where are theyi"
"0n the race course, sir.'
The answer was a simple. straight
forward one. but nevertheless II made
everybody laugh
II thought they were on the moon,"
said the captain In nettled tone.
A man doesn't laugh at a chief COM
mlssioner's joke, as q rule, because it's
funny, but the mrth that followed this
was genuine enough.
'Sr Lemuel Is coming out" said
Captain Lushton. 'Pity the lronclad
wouldn't 60 away every week."
In the natural order Of things Sir
Lemuel had to respond to the toast Of
''The Queen" Now the secretary had
very carefully and elaborately pre-
pared the chief commissioners speech
for this occasion. Sir Lemuel had con
scientiously 'mugged" 1t up, and il he
had not at that moment been n prison
er on board the Newcastle Maid would I
have delivered II with pompous SIN /