The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1907-07-13
the IRONY of one of the elected.

the irony of one Of the Elected
HE is well introduced to himself, that
fellow" said he, but the tourist did not
hear, or did not care II he heard. He
stood TRANQUILITY by, holding the handle Of
the door, until the carriage was cleared,
and was just about to ascend when q
slow, quiet voice spoke behind.
'Got that through, old man, eh?"
The tourist turned suddenly, and
stretched out hand to the speaker.
What? Maskelyne, me boy. Deloyt-
ed. Where are you goingr'
II am going to Janenne by rail-" said
the other, accepting the profered hand
with hearty shake, once up and once
down. From there I 60 on to little
place called Houfoy, to see some old
friends of mine"
I'm going to Janenne meself," said
the Irishman. Cant we ride together p
II suppose we can" returned his
friend. Baggage is registered" He
was just as calm as the Celt had a min
ute or two before been eager, and his
voice was distinctly American. He was
very precisely and neatly attired, his
figure was tall and elegant; his face waa
handsome but melancholy, and curiously
pale. The eyes were the best feature
black, soft and lustrous, but they looked
as if he had never smiled in his life. II
say, Fraser" he said, in his slow, mild
voice, when they we're both seated, where
did you pick up your French? 1 never
heard anything like it,"
''I've knocked about Paris good deal,
said Fraser. Il speak Jorman with the
same facility, though it's probably me
Scotch extraction that gives me that"
Midwa ybetween Namur and Luxem-
bourg the two travellers changed trains
for Janenne. The engine steamed lazily
through a most lovely country, and the
young American, looking continually out
Of window, seemed absorbed in contem-
plation of the landscape. But 1t could
scarcely have been the landscape which
half a dozen times called dreamy smile
to his soft eyes, and once blush to the
sallow pallor of his cheek. When the
train drew up in front of the little red
brick station, building planned like q
child's toy house and not much bigger,
the blush came to his cheek again, and
his hand trembled slightly as it caressed
his black mustache.
''Well, it's good-by for time, old fell
low" he said, shaking hands with Fra
ser. But 1 will see you again to-mor-
row or next day, most likely, if you can
find time to turn from affairs of state. v
Are those your friends?" asked Fraser,
looking through the window as the train
crawled slowly along the platform. IAN
uncommonly pretty gyurl! The ould boy
looks like an army man. He's waving
his hand at ye."
'Yes," said Maskelyne, with his soft
drawl a little exaggerated. THAT is my
man. Good-day, Fraser. Tell O'Rourke
I'm down here and that I'll run over and
have look at him."
A minute later he was shaking hands
with the young lady who had excited Mr..
Fraser's admiration.
Welcome to the Ardennes, Mr.. Maske-
lyme" said Angela, with frank good hu.
NOR. How are all our friends in New
York;"
Thank you, Miss Butler" he answre-
ed, looking into her gray eyes with q
smile which was all the brighter and the
sweeter because of the usual melancholy
of his countenance; Il cannot undertake
to tell you how all your friends in New
York may be, but the few scores of whom
1 have heard in one way or another since
I came to Europe are very well indeed.
Major Butler, l am charmed to see you
looking so robust. had not hoped to see
you looking so WE'LL"
Dyspepsia" said the major. "When
1 wrote you I was really i'll. I am all
right now. But I've been a good deal
worried, and when I'm worried get
dyspepsia, and dyspepsia means despair.
That your baggage? Got the ticket for
it?
At this point Fraser came up with
perfect sang froid, raised his hat to the
girl and accosted Maskelyne.
Il say, ould man, tell me what's the
best place to put up at here?"
'Hotel des Postes," said the major.
Mr.. Fraser raised his hat to the major.
LET me introduce you," said Maske-
lyme. major Butler, this is Mr.. Fraser,
a member Of your British House Of Com
MONS"
Delighted to meet you" said the ma
jor, but he did not look as If this state
ment could be accepted.
ITO he continuedl