The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1909-05-11

VIII III diou6 tHC RiuitO, IL maven
lost all sense of locality. This
crowds too correct to amuse me
tonight"
He thought once more and for the
last time, as he boarded Forty
second street car, of the girl with
the troubled eyes he had seen on
Fifth avenue.
II wish she had just looked
round" he concluded regretfully,
and dropped off at the corner of
Broadway. But it's too late now
to mourn over that mischance. Fate
and Fifth avenue have been too
much for me after all. | don't be-
lieve I'd know her again if l saw
her."
He laughed inwardly.
Romance is dead" said he to
, himself. What an ass / ami"
Broadway was no less busy than
Fifth avenue, and Quaintance, once
more In the mood to enjoy its ka-
leidoscopic variety, strolled down
the Street of Illusions, regarding
it's denizens and their doings with
admiration unfailing.
He brushed shoulders with blue
shaven actors and smart soubrettes.
inhaled an atmosphere of patchouli
and cheap cigarettes. was well con-
tent to mix with the mob, to yield
precedence to those with less time
to spare than himself. The. spec
tacle of the rush hour at Herald
square afforded him great gratifica-
ton. He took a grave interest in
all the up to date window displays
he passed. Sometimes he thought
of purchasing, for the sake of new
| sensation, but wisely refrained. AS
| dusk began to come down, and the
blaze that is Broadway's boast was
deftly switched on, he called to
mind many nights he had spent in
Africa without so much as fire
for light and company, and the
present contrast was by so much
the more acceptable. He jingled
his loose change joyously and was
glad of the glare.
He caught sight of we'll known
| actress in her coupe, and she
caught sight of him simultaneously.
| He saw her lips part in a faint half
smile as she dropped her eyes, and
at the same moment flashily-
dressed individual descended uopn
him from the steps of hotel much
frequented by sportsmen of GER
tain caliber.
Hello, CAPT" began that i'll adj
vised follower of the chase, accom-
modating his steps to Quaintance's
I'm "a stranger in town like your
self, and"
Quaintance stopped. SO did the
stranger. Their glances crossed,
and 1t was the confidence mans
that shifted uneasily. He drew
back with a premonition of evil
impending as his proposed victim
spoke.
You're Stranger in town, are
your" Quaintance retorted softly.
Then take my advice and get back
to where you belong before any
thing unpleasant happens to you"
He waited to see that this pre-
scription was faithfully followed,
and, after the other had skunk away
without so much as muttered
curse, pursued his own path, his
features composed to a more decor
GUS gravity. He had gathered that
his expression must have been
rather too radiant for that obser-
want locality.
And the policeman who had OBJ
served the incident from his post
at the corner nodded to himself as
he remarked soto voce:
"He'se wise to be a walkin' dan
ger sign, for all his glad looks. Slim
Jake got his dose straight, an swal-
lowed 1t too, like lamb. Them
mild-mannered looking guys amt
always the safest to tackle, I've
noticed. an Jake has more luck
as rule when II comes to a bad
man from Oshkosh, a regular fire.
eater achin' to shoot up the town."
With which professional applica-
ton of the old axiom that still
waters run deep he passed on to
other interests. while the object of
his encomium turned into a neigh
| bOrning cafe.
The opulent barkeeper there was
obliging enough to mix him dry
Manhattan, and he found the flavor
of that quite equal to his long cher
ished anticipation. hut the appoint
ments of the place were not to his
taste of the moment, and he did
not stay there to dine as he had
half intended. There was too much
marble and brass about It he
thought, an air of garish prosperity
too pronounced for the real purlieus
of Bohemia. He lighted cigarette,
and always drifting downtown, turn.
ed into barber's;' not so much for
the sake OF the shave. which he did
not need. az to rid himself of the
outwardly dusty sensation induced
by his pilgrimage.
Ito be continued,)