The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-06-27

NO." said Walter; II am going Oh
business"
He was rather glad to let his compan
ion know that he, too, was in business.
You're young to be in business, sale
his companion. "What sort of business
is it?"
81 am agent for Flint & Pusher, New
York firm"
Publishers, amt they?"
Eyes, sir"
Walters companion was a young man
of twenty-five, or possibly year or two
older. He was. rather fashily attired
with cutaway coat and low-cut vest
double-breasted, across which glittered
massive chain, which might have beer
gold, or might only have been gilt, since
all that glitters is not gold. At any rate
it answered the purpose of making
show. His cravat was snowy, and his
whole appearance indicated absence OF
good TASTE A cautious employer would
scarcely have selected him from a CROWD
of applicants for confidential position
Walter was vaguely conscious OF this
Still he had seen but little of the world
and felt incompetent to judge others.
Are you going right through to Cleve
landT' inquired the stranger.
"No; think shall stop at Buffalo.
want to see Niagara Falls"
That's right. Better see them. They're
stunning
Il suppose you have been there?" said
Walter, with some curiosity.
"Oh, yes, several times. I've grea'
mind to go again and show you around
but 1 don't know if can spare so long
a time from business"
II should like your company, SAID
Walter, politely; but l don't want &c
interfere with your engagements
"I'll think of it, and see how can
arrange Matters" said the other.
Walter was not particularly anxious
for the continued society of his present
companion. He was willing enough to
talk with him, but there was something
in his appearance and manner which pre-
vented his being attracted to him. lie
turned away and began to view the seen
cry through which they were passing. Ihe
stranger took out a newspaper, and ap-
peared to be reading attentively. Hall
an hour passed thus without word being
spoken on either side. At length his COM
panion folded up the paper.
do you smoker" he asked.
NO." said Walter.
II think I'll go into the smoking car
and smoke a cigar. l should like to offer
you one if you will take one."
mo, thank you," said Walter; Il don
smoke. and l am afraid my first cigar
wouldn't give me much pleasure"
"I'll be back in few minutes. Per
haps you'd like to look over this paper
while 1 am gone"
Thank you," said Walter.
He took the paper-an illustrated week
ly-and looked over the pictures with con-
siderable interest. He had just COM
menced reading story when boy pass
ed through the car with basket OF
oranges and apples depending from his
arm.
Oranges !" he called out, look
ing to the right and left in quest OF GUS
toners.
The day was warm, and through the
open window dust had blown into the
car. Walters throat felt parched, and
the oranges looked tempting.
How much are your oranges? he In
quired.
Five cents apiece, or three for dime, y
answered the boy.
iii take three" said Walter, reflect
ing that he could easily dispose of two
himself, and considering that it would
only be polite to offer one to his compan.
ion, whose paper he was reading. when
he should return.
Here are three nice Ones" said the
boy, picking them out and placing them
in our hero's hands.
Walter felt in his vest pocket, thinking
he had little change there. He proved
to be mistaken. There was nothing in
that pocket except his railway tickets.
Next, of course, he felt for his pocket
book, but he felt for it in vain. He
started in surprise.
II thought my pocketbook was In that
pocket" he reflected. Can it be in the
otherY"
He felt in the other pocket, but search
here was equally fruitless. He next felt
nervously in the pocket of his coat,
though he was sure he couldn't have put
his pocketbook there. Then it flashed
upon him, with feeling of .dismay, that
he had lost his pocketbook and all his
remaining money. How or where, he
could not possibly imagine, for the sudden
ness of the discovery quite bewildered
him.
II won't take the oranges" he said to
the boy. II can't find my money"
Ito be continued.)