The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-12-08

the few chairs Of rattan or rush was
one, a large rocking chair, partially
constructed of two small anchors, the
iukes forming the rockers. In a cor
ner over a comfortable lounge was a
canopy made Of a piece of sail can
vas supported by south sea island
spears and decorated with leather
shields, warclubs, boomerangs and
other native weapons, together with
necklaces and various ornaments of
sharks teeth. Covering the walls
were stuffed fishes of weird shape.
Over the entrance door was a ships
wheel and on the mantel a model Of
an old time trading schooner with all
sails set. Among other objects on the
mantel also was a faded daguerreo-
type showing Captain Williams as
young man, in uniform. On each side
Of the capstan was a dirty cuspidor.
The carpet also was dirty and spotted,
and dust had settled thickly every
where. In this queer abode Williams
lived alone, save for Sato, a Japanese
valet, who had served him for many
years.
The massive form Of the captain
himself, minus his coat, might have
been deserted in the light Of the lamp
through the cloud Of tobacco smoke
that enveloped him as he sat reading
a magazine some time after his de-
parture from the home Of Mr. and
Mrs. Brooks He was rather annoyed
when the telephone bell rang and had
he not been expecting Smith would
not have troubled to answer 1t. As 1t
was, he swore a little and rose laxily
to respond.
HBeilol Yes, this is Captain VII
nams," he said in his usual stentorian
voice. "what, Brooks? won't talk
with you over the phone-no-what?
Mrs. Brooks2 What, heref Well,
well! Yes, I'm at home-yes. Right
away, you say7 Yes, I'll wait"
williams could hardly believe what
he had heard. He turned 1t over in his
mind for fully three minutes figuring
out Just what 1t could mean.
"Going to send his wife here! What
a skunk he isr' he grunted.
He ambled to the telephone again
and instructed the hotel clerk that If
any visitors called to see him they
were to be shown right up. From
there he went to the door Of an ad-
joining room and roared for his valet.
ANY beer on ice? he demanded
when the Japanese, who evidently had
been asleep. presented himself.
Eyes, saar."
"Got lines and rum the kind /
brought up from the West IndiesT'
Eyes, saar."
"Plenty iceT'
"Yes, saar."
"That's ALL"
He could not get over the wonder
Brooks telephone communication had
caused him.
"Told her he'd got raise of pay, eh?
What skunk he is! And what a fine
girl she isr'
He gazed abstractedly at the model
Of the schooner on the mantel opposite
to him and became buried in thought
SO deep that he actually stopped smok-
ing and let his pipe go out. Presently
he reused himself, f1shed sheet Of
writing paper from among the reading
matter on the capstan table and wrote
something upon it, after which he
folded the paper carefully and hid 1t
between the leaves Of magazine.
Then he shouted again for his valet.
"Sato," he ordered, "bring my slip
pers and smoking jacket. There's a
lady coming to see me-"
The man grinned knowingly.
"You might as well take a walk,
Sato."
"Yes, saar."
"And you needn't come back right
away"
mo, saar."
Here's a couple of dollars for you.
Take 'em and get to blazes out of here.
Sabef
Eyes, saar."
"And stay out" he recommended as
the japanese prepared to obey.
When the valet had vanished the
captain took a survey Of his domain
rather anxiously.
ITS a little dirty-a little dirty
but it'll have to do," he muttered.
There was a knock at the door. VII.
liams wreathed his physiognomy in the
most amiable smile Of which 1t was
capable, felt his tie to assure himself
that It had not slipped round toward
his left ear, as 1t had bad habit Of
doing when not hauled taut and clamp
ed in place, and went to let his Wis
itor In.
The caller, however, was only Smith
Come in, but make your business
short" was Williams blunt greeting
"Tm expecting an important visitor"
"All right. captain" responded
Smith TRANQUILITY, entering and helping
himself to a chair.
"uaUo a nina ~ fDuifod thu hoSf