The San Francisco call., 1906-05-27
CHAPTER KIN.
The Founder of the o. p. !.

The Founder of the o. p. ..
cam 1 addressing the Rev. Clement
| Vaughan"
| The speaker, standing in the doorway Of
the study, with his back against the light
was visible only in outline. When his
question had been answered in the af-
firmative he stepped inside.
! II am Samuel Barker" he announced
with a profound obeisance.
! The light from the window revealed him
now. He was small. slight, fair, with
watery blue eyes, a nose too large for his
face. a detected mustache, womanish
! hands. He had the manners of Chester
field accompanied by sidelong glance.
characteristic of no one but himself.
| II have the honor to inform YOU" he
said, advancing and putting into Gle
ment's hands neat roll, that you have
been elected a member Of the ID. p. L."
Haverford's words, Il wonder whom
Barker has caught?" returned to vau-
CHAN and he hesitated.
Il was not aware that any one had
proposed my name for membership" he
said. l am not in a position at present"
MY dear sr-pardon me for interrupt
ing interposed Barker. 'It was not
necessary for any one to propose your
name 1t never is, in the ID. p. l. That
is one of the peculiarities of the organi-
zation. AS soon as q man distinguishes
himself in such a way as to make him
eligible to the society he becomes a MEM
Der. The election merely confirms what
is already fait accomph."
But have not done anything-here,"
pursued Vaughan. I'm England was an
F. r. H. s., F. r. A. s., F. r. NJ. s., F. G.
s., and NJ v. L." He paused before the
CLINT of impish delight in Barker's eyes,
but all the visitor said was, II don't know
that we have any member quite so dis
tinguished unless it be Bismarck"
Bismarck exclaimed Vaughan in
surprise. "Is he a member
"Oh, yes, have a personal letter from
Bismarck, acknowledging his election.
One from Gladstone. also, acknowledging
his. We have all the great statesmen,
many scientists, professional men and ar
fists and quite a number of clergymen."
Strange that | never heard OF the So
ciety before" unused Vaughan. WHO is
the PRESIDENT"
There isn't any The only officer is the
secretary. whom you see before you."
| Barker bowed again.
"And the dues?" Vaughan continued.
"There are no dues Barker replied
when we meet on business, as we did
few evenings ago, a collection is taken
up. If we have banquet, each member
J present is taxed so much plate"
1 Most extraordinary" murmured
Vaughan, lingering the roll
Il will leave you to examine itlat your
| leisure" said Barker. rising. Whenever
| you see the lighted candles in the middle
Of the street you will know that there is
a meeting. 1 bid you good morning." and
he tiptoed out of the study
| Left to himself, Vaughan hastily un-
! tied the roll 1t was handsomely en-
graved with space left for filing in the
name OF the member. the date. and what
particular achievement had made him
eligible. This was the item Vaughan first
sought Rejected the Offer of a Paying
Deal What could that be?
He glanced at the top of the page
Cunningly interviewer with scrolls and
arabasques was the name of the society,
s'Domn Phool Infirmardy.'
So, it was a hoax, a grind. a delicate
way of insinuating that he had made a
fool of himself. was a candidate for the
infirmaryi sThe Paying Deal" was, of
course, the offer of four hundred dollars
| sociable. He thrust the certificate into a
drawer of the desk and returned to his
sermon writing,
| Meanwhile, the founder of the d. p. l.,
enjoying to the fun the revelations OF
himself made by the new member, en-
| tered the store occupied by Poole and
| Pitcher. repeating. "F. r. II. s. F. R. A.
S., F. r. M. s., f. G. s.. NJ " l."
What have you been taking?" de-
| manded Poole, leaning over the coun-
ter to scrutinize the visitor.
Nothing, George, nothing" Barker re-
turned with wave Of the hand. Two
ais sasas on today. Nevada RH, and