Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-09
tCopyrighted.)

tCopyrigAted.)
HE particular trouble began on
the English liner Afric, and
was a personal question be-
" tween a self-made young Ken
tuckian and a highly polished
British nobleman.
Joe Rupert, the American, was finely
muscled specimen Of manhood who had
learned to ride and shoot and fight on the
borders of western civilization. but now
had settled down to the legitimate trade
raising horsehesh in the bluegrass
region of his native state He had been
to England with large consignment of
bloOded stations and was returning
happy and at peace with all the world.
Lord Francis ST. Agnew Whi.temere.
Earl of Cranton. was a most 6istin-
guished-looking parsonage. slender and
athletic. with a fashionably trimmed
mustache and Van Dyke beard. His
eyes were blue, his features regular.
refined, yet marred by dash of arts
tocratic scorn of the common nerd.
The initial meeting between the Ken
tuckian and the Englishman was brief
but fruitful. Lord Cranton was leaning
gracefully against the rail. absorbed in
the antics of a school of fish that SEEM
ed to be turning somersaults.
They's porpusses. politely volun-
teered the kentuckian, who was pass
Ing at the moment, and addressed his
lordship in that free and easy camara
derie of ocean Voyagers. II seen 'em
frequent when ! frs come over. an IL
you'll watch 'em long enough. You'll"
He paused abruptly, for the English
man was treating him to stony stare
of disdain unutterable. The path ician
nOstrils were extended wide; the lips
were curled. while the one arched eye
brow not restricted by the crystal mo-
nocle was raised to its most majestic
height. For an instant he looked the
American over from top to toe. then
shrugged and turned his back 6Cliber
ately
Joe flushed and walked away. The in
suit. though unmistakable, was ..ot of
nature to warrant wringfng The gen.
tleman's neck. as much as he yearned'
to do SO. True. the fault was all his
own In speaking to an utter stranger,
yet. moralize he would The noble
mans very presence on the ship was a s
a sheep burr under Il saddle Hap 1t
CALLED Joe Rupert even to look at the
. Englishmans aggressive steamer rug.
The long plaid greatcoat was another
constant irritation, while the hideouS
plaid cap to match was a thing which
stirred him to the quick OF his ~rathful
soul Also. the OCCASIONAL glance of SUI
preme contempt which Lord Cranton
cast in his direction would cause his
thoughts to wander to the Colts 40
which seemed to burn in the pocket on
his hip. Then the second meeting took
place and bore more fruit.
The weather had roughened till the
Afric rolled in the trough of a heavy sea
like a drunken sailor. Nine-tenths of the
passengers were scientifically dead in
their berths below. while the other tenth
told lies among themselves and said that
the trip was great. The earl reciIned in
his steamer chair, chatting with the cap
tain. the mate and three burly officers,
when the Kentuck.an CHANGED along. He
was Keeling toward the smoking room.
and might have reached this point n
safety had the Afric not given an I'M
usually .frisky pitch. Joe skidded. so to
speak clutched wildly at the nearest OBJ
iect Of support. which, unfortunately,