Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1910-04-01
For A. That
By CLINTON DANGERFIELD
Copyright, by J. B. Lippincott COP


the landscape lying so placidly In the
evening sunshine, Sire, your majesty
terrifles me by this familiarity with
an unknown American. even though
you think he does not guess your rank.
For a week your majesty has met
him here on this shore and compelled
me to leave you-yet who knows but
he may be an anarchist "a murderer?
His country is most impossible"
And who knows" interrupted the
king angrily, "but that the moon may
be made of green cheese? or the cup
of coffee l had this morning of poison :?
One is as much worth specializing on
is the other Kindly withdraw, my
lord, he is coming. Console yourself
by the knowledge that this is the last
time l. meet him, for tomorrow l go
back to" he hesitated second and
then added-"to the usual damned
routine!"
The courtier, he was duke with an
income worthy of his rank, looked sin
cerely shocked, but he went away.
1T is certainly touch Of madness
in him. he muttered to himself, this
desire to meet a commoner on the
mans own level! We all know in
sanity has been in his family"
Meantime Hollingsworth, frank-eyed
and smiling, had joined the king.
"Guten tag, mein Freund," said the
American gayly as he came up. Hear
how my accent improves, in spite Of
the complications OF your tangled
tongue. But you are solemn this
evening. You should have gotten up
at dawn, as I did, and have had dip
with me in the ocean. Everything
looked as fresh as new-mown hay"
His companion looked at him curl
ously.
How have you managed to keep all
that enthusiasm? Is life so easy
on a-what do you call it?-ranch?"
The American stared. "Well, you
don't know much of life!" he said,
laughing. els life easy On a ranch?
reckon not! But what's the use Of 60
ing over past troubles now? You see,
l actually made something over ex-
penses last year, so here am, taking
the drst vacation I ever had. Great
country this" Then, irrelevantly, he
added: "Odd we two should have
struck up friendship, isn't it? sup
pose it's because we are opposites.
You have a kind Of melancholy about
you that seem to like, don't know
why!" He threw himself on the sand
and the other sat down beside him,
while in the distance the courtier
watched them surreptitiously by the
aid of a powerful glass.
Hollingsworth was lazily throwing
pebbles into the surf, trying to make
them skim the feathery line, with the
same suggestion of resolute and nerv.
Gus force which shone through all he
did.
do you know" said his friend
slowly, chat this is our last meeting i?
Tomorrow must 60 home"
Il wish you could have another week
here, but l suppose your business is
imperative?"
II am told So" said the other dryly.
ri don't want to be .inquisitive," said
the American hesitatingly, "but I no.
ticed yesterday, and again to-day, that
you were looking pretty serious. Ne
offence, but is business all right with
your"
TT is mott" said his companion
gloomily, visions of an argumentative
premier and clamorous people rising
before him. ut never is! AS soon as
get one snarl Strengthened out there
is another ready"
Gust sol" said Hollingsworth cheer
fully, but with kindly sympathy in his
voice. "Know how it is exactly. Been
there myself. many time! On my
place in Texas found that each fell
low. from the foreman to Hung Chang,
the cook, had his pet particular griev-
ance ready at all hours-and the
changes in the market were the devil"
II suppose So" admitted his friend
little absently, then suddenly becom-
ing aware of a warm, strong hand laid
on his shoulder.
See here, old fellow" said Holdings
worth, plunging in, IT told you made
little haul before 1 left home-wish
for your sake it was bigger. Now,
you mustn't get too blue-all of us get
it in the neck occasionally. And So
that isl mean-oh, hang 1t! If you
want check for couple of hundred,
say the word and it's yours
His friend, who had finally lain at
ease on the sand, now sat up so sud-
denly and with such a flush on his
cheek that the Texan feared he had
given mortal offence.
Perplexity succeeded dismay with
the American when he saw how pierre
ingly the other was gazing at him.
You know ALL" said his companion
accusingly, 'and you think that by
this you will"
"Stop!" said the American impera-
lively. ''If you've done anything
wrong I don't want to hear it. What
you use the money for is no affair of
mine. l like you, and that's enough
for me. / shan't miss the check; it's
only means skipping Monte Carlo, and
l reckon I've no business there any,
way. AS to the check, I-er-that is
l made it out for you this morning."
He drew the slip of paper awkward
ly from his bill-book and quickly
slipped it into the others pocket.
you mean," said his new-found
friend a little hoarselv "that vo,, or;ya
me this expecting no return? You
have really done it because you liked
me, and not because you hoped for an
exchange?"
The American looked in sheer 40