Washington State journal. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1907-1911, 1907-12-11

by the gilt sign which cleaned nigh above
the surrounding village houses.
Coming suddenly, as he had done, out
of the golden glory Of the evening sun
light into q Swallowed chamber, he did
not at first make out the things about
him with any great distinctness, but he
could see that a man and q woman sat
at the far end Of q table, and he bowed
to them.
"Hillo, Fraser I" said a voice. "That
you? Are you holiday-making over
here?"
Fraser advanced, shading his eyes with
his hand.
THAT you. FarleyT he returned. Flow
are We? I'm troyae short-soyted-and
didn't make y'out at first. How are ye?
Deloyted to meet Mrs. Farley once more.
Are We here for long?"
He bowed and shook hands and waved
royal condescending pardoning sort Of
refusal to the chair Farley pushed to-
ward him.
1--WE have been here a month";" said the
novelist, land we intend staying on until
the crowd comes. Then we run away.
Do you stay for any length of timer"
II can't say how long l may stop,"
returned Fraser, with smile. 1.-THE man
would like to know my secrets" said the
smile. "Ill be having a companion in =
day or two" he added. "O'Rourke's COM
ing over"
"Ah" said the other, carelessly. II
forgot. It's getting near the Whitsuntide
| recess"
The landlady, seeing her new guest in
conversation, had withdrawn, but at this
moment she re-entered. in conversation
with an older visitor. She seemed to have
considerable difficulty in making him I'M
derstand what she had to say, for she said
the same thing three or four times over,
and he looked at her with a puzzled face
and an occasional shake of the head.
1T is a pity, monsieur said the land
lady at last, turning upon Farley, that
there is no one here to talk the language
of monsieur"
| The new arrival understood the tenor
Of this speech, for wagged his head at
the novelist and spoke. English not, z"
he said. French, so leetel-ver leetel.
Gree? All, yes. Deutsch? Yes"
| HE speaks German, madam" said
Fraser, splendidly. ALLOW me to trans
late for you" Then, addressing the new
conner, If can serve you l shall be
pleased"
| The new arrival smiled. and put q ques-
ton about the postal arrangements Of the
town. Fraser got the required informa-
ton from the landlady. and transferred it..
The other was pr0fuse In thanks. and
ducked ingratiatingly at his magnificent
interpreter.
i've never been able to get to like that
fellow" said Farley, as the man sat down
at the dining table, after the manner Of
the place, to write his letter. HE came
here shortly after our arrival, and We
have been here together ever since. He
Is always very civil, and he smiles a. il
by clock work, but his eyes are q good
deal too close together for my fancy; his
forehead slopes back too much for ny
liking: he has stealthy way of walking !;
he u my beau ideal Of what a spy should
be-"
"Ss do expect a spy to understand the
Language of the land he lives In, don't
yeT asked Fraser.
"Well, yes" Farley admitted, laugh
ingly. II suppose that's needful. But !
shouldn't be in the least surprised to learn
that he did understand. l shouldn't be
in the least surprised il be understood
what 1 am saying now"
Perhaps he might be-" said Fraser.
He'd not be pleased, anyway"
The man at the table went ON with his
letter. While Farley and Fraser still
talked about him, standing at the window,
he arose and walked to the end Of the
room, where stood a table spread with
writing materials. Taking from this a
little porcelain jar Of sand, he sprinkled
. part of its contents on the sheet Of pa
per he had just written, and then, turn
ing with the paper in both hands, he stood
sitting the fine sand to and fro In an alb
sent way, regarding meanwhile the two
men at the window. At that moment the
expression Of his face was sinister, but
as Farley turned in speaking his face
cleared, and when their eyes met he was
smiling, and he gave that little half-nod
whereby some people always recognize q
glance Of which they are conscious from
q man they know. Just then Maskelyne
came in.
This Is me young friend. Mr.. George
Maskelyne, from New York." said Fraser.
Hes just doying to know ye. Farley"
II have desired to know you, sir"
said Maskelyne, in his solemn, gentle
way, "for a year or two past, and to
thank you for all the pleasure you have
given me. 1t may please you to know,
sir, that you have as large and as af.
fectionate q circle Of readers on our side
rs en- your own"
"Twould please him more" said the
delicate-hided Fraser, IF the Yankees
wouldn't steal his copyrights"
"Nr. Fraser" said Austin, has q
knack Of hitting the right nail on the
head Not only that, but he always hits
it at the right moment, and, as Charles
Reads says, he does it with . polished
hammer"
I'VE hatter me-" cried Fraser. smiling
and bowling. The young American threw
An extra but unintentional heartness int
the shake Of Farlsy's hand.
II am In some sort an ambassador
said Maskelyne. IAN English gentleman,
Major Butler. and his niece are residents
In the neighborhood, and will be greatly
pleased II you allow me to take back q
permission to them to call upon you, and
make the acquaintance of Mrs. Farley
and yourself. Miss Butler and had an
accidental meeting with Mrs. Farley this
morning."
Farley saw q period of loneliness fol
his wife since he had begun to work
again, and be was disposed to welcome
the advent Of pleasant people who would