The Paonia newspaper., 1911-03-03

more or less OF mania Win the
young lieutenant-this searching. in
different parts Of the globe. for those
companions with whom he had played
''hooky" from school, in the undim-
med past. Whether in China. South
America or on the Leaning tower of
Pisa itself. he seemed ever capable
of unearthing some ancient friend
ship. Not that the lieutenant was
guilty OF a gray hair among the red.
or line under the steel blue of his
eye: he had merely seen much OF
the world in a short time.
II was in London that he learned
OF Karl Saunders. who was in New
York making a name for himself by
handling the bow and fiddle. Lieuten-
ant Smythers then and there decided
to look up Saunders as soon as he
reached America.
He had not been in Annapolis for
two weeks before he found time to
run over to New York.
"Sixty-eight West Fifty-seventh
street"
Lieutenant Smythers glanced at the
card in his hand and then at the build
ing before which he stopped This
tttuih W ot Nut piaCt nc ottppt1
within the ves,ibule OF the building. II
was devoted almost entirely to studios.
and he looked over the brass plate
which bore the names of its occu-
pants.
TX. Saunders" Lieutenant Smyth-
ers went up in the elevator to the
third floor and dropped the heavy
knocker on the door. which bore
small name plate engraved with the
name X. Saunders.
There was no response to his knock.
He knocked again. but apparently no
one was in.
II was not often that the lieutenant
came to New York. and he liked to
get what he went after when he did
10. He stood for n moment hesitat-
ing. then tried the handle of the door.
IL opened. Lieutenant Smythers went
inside and closed the door. Saunders
must have stepped out for only a mo-
ment. and there was no reason why
he would object TO an old acquaintance
waiting In his room.
When the Lieutenant, had thrown
himself down In the big cory chair
by the CRATE fre he started apprehen-
sively. Saunders evidently was mar
ried. A dainty work basket. overflow
ing with laccs. and something with
white embroidery lay on the floor be
side him. Lieutenant Smythers grew
cold and a damp perspiration beaded
his forehead. Thought works rapidly
and for n second the lieutenant had
himself pictured In the startling colors
OF the yellow Journals-frst as bur
Elar. then IN n Saunders divorce case
and last as n dishonorably discharged
navy offcer.
As the last overwhelming picture
arose before him the door opened and
he merely sank little lower in the
chair. so that only the top OF his head
entered
"Oh. Karii I've signed n two years
contract with the Symphony Isn't
that perfectly lovely7" Some one had
rushed over and with bubbling enthu-
siasm would have flung her arms
about his neck had not the lieutenant
faced the girl.
~oh, Who in the world are you7'
The girl opened startled eyes.
For the moment Lieutenant Smyth-
ers had no notion OF who he was: he
was conscious only OF wonderfully
beautiful girl with mass of sun
burned hair and a pair of unafraid
gray eyes.
He stood up and the girl could
have guessed from the square carriage
of his shoulders that he was of mill
tary rank.
Il am Lieutenant Smythers and
come over from Annapolis to see your
husband. Karl Saunders"
The girls eyes gave him a quick.
peculiar look.
Il have not seen Saunders for some
fifteen years and had not known he
was married: otherwise I would not
have taken the liberty of entering to
await his arrival"
And you are one OF Karl's Cedar
Rapids friends7"
WELL am from little getting
on place about Ave miles from there
Marion"
From Marionl You are not by any
chance one Rufus of whom l have
heard Karl speak7' She cast n more
or less impertinent glance at the
hair on Lieutenant Smythers' head.
Il feel quite certain you are" she said
with eyes which betrayed spirit