Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-03-23

new force carried Scotty right up to the
side of the new Goddess.
"May-maybe I can show We, missile
stammered.
No she replied. coldly critical survey
ing him again. No-you haven't your COL
lar
Then she went on. leaving Scotty stand
ing where he had offered himself. He
looked after her: his hand crept up stealth
lily to the band of his shirt, and he pulled
gently. without knowing why, at the button
holding 1t together. He did not have COL
lar. Scotty. somehow. felt that he was
naked.
Scotty was up and about In the very early
morning. He felt that something must be
done to relieve the symptoms of injured de-
preston which still afflicted him. Never
before had he known the abject misery Of
being collarless
To retreat would mean only to be scorned.
to fight, would only exhibit his colossal ig-
norance of decency; he must do something
more than these things, something strate-
gic something suble-he must abdicate. The
end justified the means. He set out to dis
cover collar.
Murdoch. a fellow who had lately joined,
and who had been transferred from door
keeper to assistant in the advertising de-
partment at the right elbow of the grand
adjective tosser and bewilderer OF words,
Scotty picked the man who would be
sure to possess the effete article. and who
was low enough in the social rank to be
sought. Scotty aroused Murdoch from his
innocent Slumber.
"Scuse me. old man, but jest had to do
it. Say! what I'm after IS one OF them"
he tished Murdoch's collar from the car
floor. 1t was rather the worse for having
been worn long time without rests.
That's my DESIRE, said Scotty. Amt We
got two?''
Murdoch rubbed his eyes and stared at
the other man as though he doubted the
sanity Of his proposition.
What dye want-a colar?"
Sure thing; my wash amt come home
yet
well. go down town and buy some. "
snorted Murdoch.
earnestly. I've just got to have a real
collar for the 'come-on.' There amt no
time to waltz down to the city"
What! yelled Murdoch You; driver We.
of wild beasts-wear a collar. Why. 1t s
against the rules. amt it,?
"Mebbe So. said Scotty desperately. But
I'm agoin' to wear one.
Murdoch crawled out from his bed and
fished into q little locker in the corner. He
produced, after considerable search. one
collar. 1t was a frayed collar. 1t had
places where the original webbing peeped
through the upper cuticle. Many hard
fought battles with vicious country laun-
dries had brought this piece of gents wear
ing apparel to the verge of utter dissolu-
ton. The brand of its maker was now pale
and anemic, its once beautiful proportions
We're defOfm2t the DuttDnilOIeS DdQ taken
refuge in ragged vents, and the whole COM
bination seemed mute appeal to be put
out of it's misery.
'That'll do rejoiced Scotty, making
dive for it.
How do ye know it'll fit?" asked Muir
doch sleepily.
Little thing like fit don't worry me-,
pardner
Got a tie?" queried the assistant adjec
tive juggler with a grin
''Tie" sneered the triumphant Scotty.
ut amt necessary"
He disappeared to array himself.
The next morning Scotty, wearing a collar
and a perfectly conscious air which he
thought represented dsdain, walked into
the large tent where his team was being
harnessed to the great float wagon This
wagon was a gorgeous affair. the mirrored
sides of it rejecting light and the brilliancy
of gold. Upon the top. at the four corners,
beautifully robed, while in the center of the
cars roof rested a large globe, representing
the earIn. and this supported a fifth throne,
the seat of the imperiouS beauty who had
signified her preference for churches and
collars. All this purple and fine linen how
ever reposed with a delicate safety in the
hands of one Scotty, collared collarless,
who managed with the precise judgment of
ApoIo's charioteer the twelve grays fur
nishing the motive power. And no one
knew this better than did the man himself.
His wonderful control of the big wagon was
marvellous He could whip 1t around cor
ner when on a trot, and he had never been