The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-03-23
UPRIGHT. 1907. BY MCCLURE. PHILLIPS CO.


impatiently. Gust begin at the begin
ming and let Ii go at that"
Slade slipped at his glass reflectively.
"Well," said he at length, "the best
way TO begin is TO show you how I
happened 10 be mixed up in It Mt ALL"
The officers unconsciously relaxed
into attitudes of greater ease. Over
head the lamps swayed gently TO the
swell. The dull throb of the screw pull
stated. Stewards clad I'm white moved
noiselessly. filing the glasses defer
entially striking lights for the smok
ers, clearing away the last dishes of
the repast.
I'm reporter by choice and a de-
tective by instinct" began Slade, with
startling abruptness. Furthermore.
I'm pretty well of. I'm what they call
a free lance, for l have no regular
desk ON any of the Journals. ] gener-
ally turn my stun In to the Star be-
cause they treat me well. In return II
is pretty well understood between MS
that I'm TO use my judgment In regard
TO stories and that they'll stand back
of me for expenses. You see, I've
been with them quite awhile"
He looked around the circle as
though In appeal TO the comprehension
Of his audience. Some Of the men
nodded. Others slipped from their
glasses or drew ut their cigars.
II loaf around here and there I'm the
world. having n good time travelling.
visiting. fooling around. Every once I'm
awhile something interests me. The
thing is sort of instinct. | run II
down. II it's good story, | send It
In. That's all there is 10 st." He
laughed slightly. You see. I'm n sort
IF magazine writer I'm method. hut my
stun is newspaper stuff; also the game
suits me. That's why play H.
I That's why I'm here. have TO tell
you about myself this way so you VIII
understand how I came TO be mixed
up I'm this Laughing Lass matter"
Il remember" commented Barnett.
that when you came aboard the
North Dakota you had little trouble
making Captain Arnold see H." lie
turned to the others with laugh. "He
had all kinds of papers Of ancient date.
but nothing modern-letter from the
Star dated five years back. recommen-
dations TO everybody on earth except
Captain Arnold. certificate OF bravery
in Apache campaign, bank identificu-
| tions and all the rest. Maybe you're
| the Stars correspondent and maybe
! you're not said the captain. 4 don't
see anything here TO prove it, Slade
argued an hour No go. Remember
how you caught him?' he inquired OF
| Slade.
The reporter grinncd assent
After the old man had turned him
down good Slade fshed down In his
war bag and hauled out an old latter
ed document from an oilskln case.
Hold on minute said he. you old
shellback. I've proved to you that |
can write and I've proved TO you that
have fought. and now here III prove
TO you that | can sail. If writing. fight
ing and sailing don't fl me adequately
10 report any little disturbances your
Anticipated washboller may blunder
into I'll go TO raising cahbages.' With
that he presented a masters certifi-
cate. Where did you get 1t anyway?
I never found outf"
Passed as fresh water on the great
lakes" replied Slade briefly.
'Wcll, the spunk and the certificate
finished the captain. He was an Old
square riGger himself in the civll war"
$50 much for myself" Slade con
tinued. AS for the Laughing Lass
ITO he continued in next issuc.)