Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1908-07-01

by the good humor in his face. His
eyes caught Shirley's passingly, and
she smiled Mt him. 1t seemed a natu-
raj, a perfectly inevitable thing to do.
She liked the kind tolerance with
which he suffered the babble of Arthur
Singleton. whom some one had called
an international bore. The young mans
dignity was only IN expression Of self
respect. His appreciation OF the exact
proprieties resulting from this casual
introduction to herself and her brother
was perfect. He was already with
drawing. A waiter had followed him
with his discarded newspaper, and Ar
mitage took 1t and idly dropped It on q
chair.
"Have you heard the news, Armi
tagc? The Austrian sphinx is herein
this very housew whispered Singleton
| impressively.
"Yes; 10 be sure, Count Won Strocbe
is here, hut he will probably not re
main long. The Alps will soon be safe
again. am glad to have met you
He bowed to the Claibornes inclusive
| ly, nodded in response to Singleton's
promise to look him up later and left
them.
| When Shirley and her brother reach
cd their common sitting room, Dicl
Claiborne laughingly held up the copy
of the Neue Freie Presse which Armi
tage had cast aside ut their table.
Now we shall known he declared
| unfoldinp tho nawSpopar
"Know what, Dick2"
"At least what our friend without {
country is so interested in.'
He opened the paper, from which
half column had been torn, noted the
date. rang the bell and ordered copy
of the same issue. When it was
brought he opened it, found the place
laughed loudly and passed the shee
over to his sister.
ooh, Shirley, Shirley! This is almos
| too much!" he cried, watching her q:
her eyes swept the article. She turned
away to escape his noise and after q
glance threw down the paper in dis
gust. The article dealt in detail with
Austro-Hungarian finances and fairly
Mllu uSulSS anu Sl6S SOu
illusions based upon them.
isn't that the worst!" exclaimed
Shirley, smiling ruefully.
Hes certainly romantic figure
ready to your hand. Probably banl
clerk who makes European finance his
recreation
"He isn't an Englishman, at any rate
He repudiated the idea with scorn."
well, your Mr.. Armitage didn't
seem SO awfully excited at meeting
Singleton, but he seemed rather salts
| fed with your appearance, to put II
mildly. l wonder IL he had arranged
with Singleton to pass by in that pure
ly incidental way, just for the priv
ilege of making your acquaintancew
Don't be foolish, Dick. It's unbe
coming an officer and gentleman
But if you should see Mr.. Singleton
again
"Yes-not If l see him firstw ejacu
lated Claiborne.
"Well, you might ask him who Mr.
| Armitage is. 1t would be amusing
and satisfying-to know"
Later in the day the old attache fell
upon Claiborne in the smoking room
and stopped to discuss report that q
change was impending in the Amer
lean state department. Changes ii
Washington did not trouble Singleton
who was sure of his tenure. He sait
as much, and after some further tall
Claiborne Remarked:
"Your friend Armitage seems a goot
sort"
"Oh, yes; capital talker and thor
oughly well posted in affairs"
| YES; he seemed interesting. d.
you happen to know where he lives
| when he's at homer"
Lord bless you, boy, don't know
anything about Armitage!" splutteret
Singleton, with the emphasis so thrown
as to imply that of course in any othel
branch Of human knowledge he would
be found abundantly qualified to an
swcr questions.
But you introduced us to him-my
sister and me. l assumed
,.i.Aty sdear Claiborne, I'm always in
producing people! It's my business II
introduce people. Armitage is all right
He's always around everywhere. I've
dined with him in Paris, and I've rare
ly seen man order n better dinner"