Arizona republican., 1910-02-13

 letter lying open before him. The occasion of his perpexity lay in this open letter, which thus:
 DEAR FRED: I'm writing detective yarn which'eals for scene on the St Louis levee. As haven't been in the city, I'm decidedly shy on local color Send me few points like the good old chap you d. ways were, and shall be
 Your eternaly grateful
 Hildreths reply began bthey enough. like this:
 DEAR WrcksIE: What in thunder do you think know about the Ievee? AS for its local color
 But there he stuck In vain he proided the ink well till it danced. It only after much mopping that he proceeded:
 -an unprejudieed observer might call it pretty black.
 And there he stuck again. He was still prodding, mopping and muttering when Danforth looked in.
 "Oh. it's you, is t? drawied the newcomer Thought smelled something irving"
 Hildreth smiled the lack-luster smile of the who looks funny others
 If you my reason Danforth." hs begged, tell something about the levee."
 :" The levee, What in thunder"
 "Fve said that And that it's dirty. What next?" Why-I don't know. But," brightening up I'll bet Holman does"
 Who's Toman:" T"
 "A friend of mine from up North. He's brought party down here house boat and I'm going down with him to dine on board as soos he finishes .telephoning Come out here and Ill introduce seeker after truth about the levee He weighs two hundred and it's most all heart, SO maybe he'll ask you to go along"
 And 1t was even so Alter feeble protests from Hil dreh. into which he vainly endeavored to put some backbone Toman led the way his touring which waiting outside
 Perhaps I'd better own up," he said as they about to start: intended to do the bold buccaneer act and surprise Danforth by carrying him of; but won't treat you unceremoniously, Mr. Hidreth. I've just telephoned the whari-boat to have my get up We'll go up the river this evening and be back here by nine ten in the morning. II either of you want to send word to anybody. you tele- phone from the Planters on the way down"
 Danforth closed his eyes and leaned carefully back Don't wake mel" he whispered [" It's the first pleasant dream I've had this summer
 And you?" laughed Holman. turning to Hldreth. "Its too late to lose mel" the firm reply. "1ve had lifelong yearning to be carried of by pirates
 So it was settled and the auto stemmed the tide of homeward traffic, Hidreth idly wondered what sort of an experience was in store for him.
 At the hotel Danforth disappeared in the telephone booth from which he shortly emerged, breathing male dction
 "I told you not to let me wake upi" he groaned Here I've got to go to Chicago tonight"
 Afterward, when Hidreth tried to account for the contretemps at which he arrived. Danorth's failure to go with them that night loomed big the begin ming of it all
 Halfway down. Holman pointed to two dazzingly white boats the house-boat in front. the steamboat smuggling close behind it Screen awnings. cool green and white were dropped the sunny shoreward side and little breeze Iazily worrying long pennant. Hildreth drew deep breath of pleasant anticipation This being carried of by pirates is all my fancy painted it" he remarked they ran up q grooved eang-plank and nosed in between several other autos on the forecaste of the steamboat
 "The staterooms on the house-boat are full" said Holman, as he led the way upstairs: but here's room and bath where you can make the best o your captivity I'll send boy to see what you need. and I'll come after you in time for dinner"
 Hidreth emitted the usual inarticulate mumbles as, in hospitable Western fashion. he presented to person after person. When he finally took the place beside his host. he retained but two facts out Of the medley of ntroductions The small boy his hosts little son Harold. That fact not particularly in- terestns but at the thought of the other he shot satisfied glance toward the opposite end of the table It was the place where would naturally expect to find the wife of ones host; but Hildreth recalled with satisfaction the words of their introduction in Tolman's hearty voice:
 Dolly, here's s prisoner captured at the club. Mr Hdreth. my cousin Miss Neville"
 It went over and in his mind. My cousin. Miss Neville. - My cousin, Miss Neville" Just then her brown eyes flashed him smile and Hildreth felt . little thrill explore every of his being. fSl- t> define the local color of the levee anybody had hnted that inside of two hours he would be going into tremor q glance from . girls laughing eyes. he would have scorned the prophecy
 Oi course, the idcs of love at first sight had sweet