The Detroit times., 1908-05-01
BY W. HOLT WHITE.

I ticiently convenient quarter OF the
map TO allow OF his combining the
business thoroughness of the west
with the total disregard for other peo-
pies lives and feelings that Is the
dominating characteristic OF rulers or
the east
However, she laughed. II is impos-
sible TO live in a state OF perpetual
protest against ones fathers habitual
disregard for the duties imposed upon
humanity. She had. In fact, grown
little callous. and held intrigue and
duplicity and the shedding OF blood In
a great deal less adherence than II
was good for a girl OF her age to do.
No girl OF nineteen should hold life
cheap. but IL is difficult 10 resist an
almost daily demonstration that
the lives OF other people count
as nothing when compared with
the priceless value OF ones own. And
the King OF Bahama held his own
existence as a jewel beyond value.
Diana, at her fathers light talk OF
death. instinctively glanced at John.
And at the sight of him little fear
crept into her heart. Her father
might reckon Strong's existence as
worthless, but To her II was even then
of some account.
Perhaps" she said with a gravity
that was all the more marked because
or Its suddenness, Il am intruding Ia
matter OF business?"
She was apt to stumble across the
manifestations OF her fathers strange
and dangerous business enterprises at
unexpected times and in most map
propriate places.
Mr.. Jones settled his gold-rimmed
glasses more firmly on his oyerbeanng
nose.
"As matter of fact. you are" he
said with a slow smile. But | am
sure these gentlemen will excuse the
interruption"
John laughed outright, while the
Sylvanian drew his heels together and
made formal little bow.
The interruption. at any rate" said
Diana, shall not be great. am
going back TO the house"
She made grave little inclination
OF the head TO the stranger. At John
she flashed smile. Her father she
fiicked lightly and delicately on the
nose with the little finger OF her right
hand. This was strange demonstra-
ton of affection, but one on which she
| placed great reliance. For some un-
fathomable psychological reason Mr..
Jones greatly appreciated this queer
mark Of regard and Diana knew this.
and used the fact TO advantage.
Though diplomatists did not guess
|, 1t, Diana's flick OF her fathers nose
had often times changed the tide OF In
ternationai politics. Different things
happen TO different countries accord
| ing TO monarch's good or had tenn
per, and Diana's little flick had fire.
quently restored the intolerant king
OF Bahama from a state of evil-mind-
edness to a condition OF good humor.
Once, indeed, that little flick OF his
majesty's nose had certainly spared
life. It had been given at a crucial
moment, when In a black mood the
kings hand was about to sign a death
warrant of a really harmless person
AS 1t was, the king smiled. In mis-
capacity of Mr.. Jones. however, he
said:
Very well. my dear. run along.
Dinner Is at 1880. and. judging from
your appearance. you will need the
help OF a maid"
Diana smoothed her tumbled white
Sklrt ana 1rOWneu.
II suppose So she said, but 1t Is
rather hard 10 expect me at my age.
and especially in this weather, TO ever
lastingly live up TO ones meals
The ceremony Of dinner was Mr.
Jones greatest fetish.
Never mind" he replied. "the train
ing Is excellent"
Diana laughed and turned away up
the little path. And again, as she
swung her hat from the ribbons. she
sang:
Down among the dead men"
Mr.. Jones turned TO the Sylvanian.
Il will not offer you my hospitality -
he said, "as II may be somewhat un-
welcome. Allow me to show you to
your launch"
| And he walked away toward the
river.