Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1910-02-09
HIS ASSURANCE.
BY cuTH6ERT BAKER.

Copyright. 1909. by American Press Asso-
ciation.l
Carstairs, though a gentleman, had
resource was not less. He was very
fond of telling how he got into places
where there was no admittance except
for favored few and got out of
scrapes simply by his unmitigated
nerve.
In Paris he had secured an inter-
view with the president of the French
republic by dashing up to the Elysee
palace in an automobile, alighting and
stalking past the guards and attend
ants as though he were some immense
~ important parsonage, and having
thus gained the ear Of the president
secured valuable concession.
When Carstairs went to Naples
friends he met there warned him, as
strangers are always warned, against
the dishonesty and trickery of the Nea-
politans. why" said one fresh Amer
lean importation, Il go out with 20
francs in my pocket, spend and re-
turn to my hotel with 8. How they do
it don't know" Carstairs replied
that he would never fail to count his
change and therefore he couldn't lose
anything.
Carstairs had spent so much time in
northern Italy-he owned villa on
Lake Como-that he spoke Italian like
a native. While in Naples he decided
to give dinner to number of friends
at the Hotel Murat On the day Of
the dinner and just before the hour it
was to take place there came up
sudden heavy shower Carstairs wore
silk hat and also evening dress under
a thin overcoat and had no umbrella.
There are plenty Of cabs in Naples,
but every one in that neighborhood
was appropriated by persons caugh. in
the shower. Carstairs stood in the
Testibule Of shop. Looking at his
watch, he saw that it was within five
minutes of the hour set for his dinner
party. Seeing well dressed man go
by with an umbrella in the direction
which he himself wanted to go, his
assurance and inventive power came
to the front Dashing out from cover,
he slipped his hand on the mans arm
Familiarity and said:
What luck! I've been looking for
you all over the city. l have great
news for you. Signorina Paoh has
given me message for you which
she would intrust to no one else,
knnvuino haf int
mate friend and l am yours"
The man started to interrupt, but
Carstairs gave him no opportunity.
''She regrets exceedingly" he went
on, "her treatment of you and wishes
to make amends. But her parents are
very watchful She wishes you to
meet her in the park, or, rather, at
the sea wall opposite the park, tomor-
row evening just before dark. She
will walk from north to south, while
you are to walk in the opposite direc-
ton, starting at exactly Z o'clock. If
the weather is pleasant and the sea
smooth have a boat at the center steps,
knows her, so she will be disguised.
but you will know her by flower that
she will carry in her left hand.
There, you lucky dog, you should
consider yourself under undying obli-
cations to me for conserving to bear
the message. Had I not loved you so
well l would not have done it, nor
would the signorina have intrusted me
with her confidence"
At this juncture the two reached the
Hotel Murat, and Carstairs. with a
"Goodby, dear boy! l wish you a
pleasant boat ride tomorrow evening
with your sweetheart" ran into the
doorway.
The guests were assembled and all
sat down to dinner. Carstairs was in
high good humor. One of the company
was smarting at having received in
change three counterfeit five franc
pieces.
Never" said the unfortunate per-