Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-05-18

Make out my check-quick! Take it
out of this. and bring me the change.
Yes. it's hundred dollars. Hump your
self, now, or you'll have me miss my
train"
Quaintance was getting into his coat
when from without. resounded the honk
of a motor horn, a hoarse cry as of
rage, and a long-drawn howl followed by
a voIley of curses in French. In frantic
haste to find out what had happeped he
made for the Broadway exit, sure that it
had been the fat Frenchman's voice he
had heard.
From its porch he caught sight Of that
individual, hatless, dust-streaked, striking
foolish, hysterical attitudes in the street,
shaking his fist flercely after a small
motor car which was progressing uptown
at pace well within the speed limit and
yet too swift to be overtaken. The
Frenchman snatched up his hat, scram-
bled on board a passing street car.
what happened? Did you notice?"
asked Quaintance OF a bystander.
mot much" returned the other. 1.-THE
girl who was with him got into the au-
tomobile and drove of as soon as he had
1t canked up. He made jump for it, but
the girl was too quick for him and he
took a tumble, which made him bad tenn
pered." ..
Quaintance nodded his thanks for the
information and went back to his table,
where he found the waiter still counting
change. He sat down and took counsel
with himself concerning the past and the
future. The present was all too blank
now to interest him.
That's the second chance I've missed
today" he muttered, regretfully, staring
intently at the tabIecloth. ct wish she
H. ,w4-yA
Ideas and I'd have taken care of that cad
for her. I might have gathered as much.
Of course, but-Tm far too dense. It's ev-
ident that my wanderings haven't sharp
ened my wits
THE third time may be more lucky,
but-Tm afraid the prospects of a third
time are altogether too thin to hang any
hopes on. I've thrown away opportunity
twice, and What can 1 do to retrieve
It? I'm more alone in this mob than I
ever was in Africa. 1 don't suppose
there's soul in the city 1 know, and
there certainly isn't a single soul who
knows me-"
Sunk in such depressing reflections and
putting disconsolately at his cigar he
looked up without curiosity as an elder
Unlocking, gray-haired individual, in
strictly correct evening dress, who had
been regarding him with good deal of
interest and unremarked from a near ia
bic, came forward and stopped beside
him.
"H'lo! Quaintance," observed the
stranger, and the object of his attention
could scarcely control the start of sur
prise and dismay with which he had thus
heard again the name he had Just dis
carded. But he gazed with blank lack of
understanding for a brief moment at his
interlocutor, and, dropping his eyes again,
shook his head in silent negation.
He had not the faintest idea who the
other might be, but grimly that his in
cognito must be preserved at all costs
was prepared to dispute his identity with
any who might be rash enough to uues-
ton his claim to the name of Newman.
But the stranger was not to be put off
so easily. 20.
Your names not Quaintance, eh?' he
demanded brisl5ly. "And you don't hap-
pen to have a couple of pure rose dia-
monds in one of your pockets. do you?"
Quaintance, his chin thrust suddenly
forward, his eyes showing danger signals.
stared him fixedIy in the face.
mo, sir; don't" he answered.
The unknown was quite oblivious to that
warning. ..
THE last time met you" he remarked
blandly, your name WAS Quaintance
And you DID happen to have a couple Of
pure rose diamonds in one of your pock-
ets"
He looked quickly around the room and
then sat down, deliberately, facing Quain-
tance.
Continued In Next Issue