Wallowa County chieftain. [volume] (Enterprise, Or.) 1909-1911, 1909-07-29

CHI.
Have you ever known such beauti-
full afternoon, Charles?" l asked my man
at supper.
Never, Mr.. Felix. never"
| was sitting so that l could look out
of the window at the sea.
1T was unusually glorious, even for
Alastair, wasn't it?" l pursued.
Yes, sir, it certainly was, sir, even
for Alastair, SIR"
After supper l had my coffee on the
balcony and sat there and smoked and
wondered how long it had been since
petticoat had boarded the Ship.
CHAPTER III.
The weather next morning was just
right for a ride, and sending for my
horse, l made a great circuit of the
woods, coming back by the marshes
about noon. AS l galloped past the up
per end of the lowlands l heard a voice
calling to me, and, drawing rein, waited
until the VOICES owner appeared. This
proved to be an extremely sunburned
young man dressed in very loud tweeds.
He carried fshing-rod over his arm,
and fish-basket dangled from his shoul-
der.
II say, do you know the country here
aboutsr he inquired. "I've lost my
way, and I'm internally hot and tired"
He looked 1t his lips were almost as
mutinous as those of spoiled child, and
even the tilt of his soft felt had had
detected aid.
Where do you want to go?" / asked
in return. "The Penguin club lies about
three miles off to the east"
'Yes, that't it," he said. I'm a PEN
guinite, worse luck" He dropped the
fishing-rod and tried to kick some Of the
mud from his boots. II came out to get
some fishing at 5 this morning, and not
bite have ! had. nor morsel Of food
tasted since. My legs ache at the thought
of that three miles yet to go. Isn't there
a farmhouse somewhere near where
could get something to eat?"
The appeal in his eyes was 80 plaintive
that could not help smiling. Thereat
he smiled back. M
ITS beastly pickle, isn't it?' he
said. 'The next time I'll arrange to
have a man follow me with lunch"
1t was only quarter Of mile to my
cottage. "Come along with me-" l said.
"I'll fix you up"
He grinned gratefully, and trudged
along beside me until we came 10 the cot
tage. called for Charles and sent him
off with the horse. By the time he re-
turned, my guest was feeling consider
ably better, having postponed famine by
the aid Of whisky and soda. He sat
down to dinner with the air of king
come into his own. For a time he ate
silently but strenuously, then he looked
up at me.
"They don't give us such food at the
club no, stree, and as for the wines,
they can't compare with your claret.
Funny to think of finding such things
down here in the country, away Of at the
end of an empty beach. l didn't know
there was civilized man within fifty
miles of here. Do you happen to come
from New YorkT
Originally" made answer. But II
was some time ago."
Funny thing, New York." said my
guest "When I'm back there think I'd
like to be out in the open country, but
as soon as i have my wish I'm crazy
| for the old burg. I've been down at the
| Penguin now for more than two weeks
and l don't suppose an hour of the day
of Broadway. The worst time Is al
night. / can sit on the club porch and
fairly hear the Elevated sizzle by. Some
times it seems as if / really couldn't
stand 1t any longer
"Why do your" l asked.
There are reasons, good and sufi
cient reasons" he answered, with a slow
smile. Reasons for which l might b,
living in Kamchatka as well as any
where else"
He looked at me intently for few
seconds, then lighted a cigarette.
you're not inquisitive, are your FRS
However, there are certain facts you ar,
entitled to have: my name is Rodney
Islip, and I'm broker. Offices at 81 Wal
Street, where I'd be glad to execute an,
orders for you at any time of year
though between you and me the presen
is a particularly bad time to invest il
anything, not even including British con
soils or government bonds. This recen
French smash put lots of people out o
business. You've heard of it, / suppos,
the most outrageous swindle sine
Whitaker Wright"
II read of it in the papers. 1t seem
this man Etienne induced half the poo
of Paris to trust their savings to him
and then played one company into tn
hands Of another until the bubble burs
isn't that about it?"
The man in tweeds nodded He threv
back his head and blew a cloud of smok
in an upward spiral. $50 little differ
ence," said he, between absolute triumph
and absolute defeat. A jerk Of the tick
er may convert the greatest benefacto
into the deepest villain. For Etienne-
though / think that's only pseudonyl
Of his-is undoubtedly villain whel
you think Of the numberless lifetime say
ings he has swept away. Why will peo
pie trust promoter? Haven't they al
of history to judge byf"
History teaches that people are al
ways ready to be fooled" I answered
However. don't blame them. I'm
mans nerve was only big enough I'd fol
low him myself"