Golden Valley chronicle. (Beach, Billings County, N.D.) 1905-1916, 1909-02-05


and his cigars were politely scorned.
"Your father. Miss Nunez, does not
like my. cigars" Vincent confessed
sadly one night az he occupied chair
not very near the object Of his, heart
and much too near the old aunt, who
looked sleepy and uncomfortable, yet
would not 60 to bed.
perhaps they are not very good"
answered Ariella. Papa, you know.
is famous Judge Of tobacco
II buy the very strongest and most
costly I can fnd," said Vincent. II
am trying to suit his taste, not NINE"
"But 'why?'
"As If you did not know why 1 want
to please your father" pleaded Vim
cent.
"Nr. Brown has succeeded" said
Arfella, tapping the door with her foot
impatiently.
1--WE asked Brown what his brand
is, but he won't tell me-"
II will find out" said Ariella.
''Will your"
At this most inopportune time the
ubiquitous, aunt, with a CLEAN of sus.
picion, suddenly interrupted.
my niece, you will now, go to the
piano and play for me. No, Senior Vim.
cent, you will remain by me.'' -
For weeks Pope Nunez had been.
seeking to advance the case Of Walter
Brown. On this very day the storm
broke. Ariel1a cut short her fathers
argument by hotly refusing to marry
Brown.
cit is not you this Vincent shall ask"
replied the Infatuated senior, ''but me,
the father. Pepe Nunez. And my an
swer Is n-n-n-oy'
what is the cigar Mr.. Brown
smokes, papa, dear?' inquired Ariella
crelevantly.
But papa, DEAR" elevated his black
eyebrows, kissed the tips Of his fingers
with an expression Of mystery and
turned away without answering.
It Is certain that Ariella had some
occult reason for wishing to know the
name Of this particular cigar and that
she extended her inquiries into other
quarters.
A few days later as she and the fat
aunt stood at the foot Of the stairs in
the hall waiting for Mr.. Vincent, who
was coming down to pass them, she
murmured in answer to his bow these
queer words:
"Alcantarilla Perfecto."
A few nights later Vincent begged
Senor Nunez to come to his room to
pass Judgment on box Of cigars he
had purchased, adding Indifferent,
that he hoped Mr.. Brown would come
along and sample them also.
II want your judgment, gentlemen,
before tell you the brand or any
thing abou this smoke"
The ciga' were duly lighted. The
spaniard nodded gravely, took whiff
and closed his eyes. He took another
and opened them. In their sleepy
depths lurked a look Of perplexity.
"Don't you know the brand?" asked
Vincent.
Senior Nunez shook his head.
Before tell you what It is," said
Vincent. II must relate my converse
ton with the dealer who sold me these
cigars. When asked him for them he
laughed and said:
'You are only the second customer
who has sought that brand, and have
been in the cigar business for years"
did he tell you the name Of the
other customer" asked Senior Nunez,
smile beginning to dawn on his face.
''Wait minute begged Vincent.
'eThe cigar dealer went on to ask me
lf wanted that cigar or one which
would pass for It. The cigar you call
for costs $40 per hundred he said, and
the Imitation, which few connoisseurs
would be able to detect, costs only IS
per hundred. The solitary customer
who ever demanded that cigar bought
the eight dollar imitation and repeat
edly bought It, and he said It served
his purpose WE'LL"
Walter Brown was wriggling in his
chair.
'This is a good enough SMOKE" said
he, ''but I think Senior Nunez prefers
the brand have upstairs. Shall we
60 up, senor?"
"What is the name Of the cigar
have the honor tosmoke and for which
|. there is an imitationT' he asked.
'The Alcantarilla Perfecto." said
Vincent quickly.
Pope Nunez turned toward Brown,
who had got as far as the door.
Coming up. senor7'' asked Brown
tightly.
"Por tDios, noy' thundered Senior
Nunez. You have fooled me once. . It
ls enough"