The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1911-10-10
,Ths .
ValnyAHaiir
By DONAL HAMILTON HAINES
WRIGHT, 1910, BY rHn PEARSON PUBLISHING
(Cesfisned from yesfsvdayl

anu ulHiOIldNiC SCI Nlttos AN ohhCNANN"
pompously, ito care for the interest OF
the American government and Ameri-
can citizens in foreign lands. The ma
chinery Of the service, Mr.. Charring-
ton. is already in motion in regard to
your matter, and the acting consul
looks for a speedy adjustment OF your
difficulties"
Charrington had raised one fist in
the air to relieve himself OF more
superheated speech AS Bacon COM
menced to speak, he slowly lowered
his arm and his jaw dropped.
My secretary, Bacon continued ur-
banely has taken a note to Captain
Stroboff. and | think he will be here
shortly
Chalrington looked at his friend like
a man not quite certain whether or not
he retains his senses. Jones came in
the door with unusual speed.
Say, he demanded of Bacon, what
in blazes did you write to that Rus
sian? He's coming here on the run
Jones" commanded Bacon, this
matter is out Of your province Will
you kindly step into the adjoining
room?"
The stupefied Jones slunll out of the
IOOUl. AHdiIiilEADu cAtll tJQ w HRNehR
but Bacon. getting TO his feet like a
shot took command OF the situation by
sheer force of energy Like flash he
whirled on the girl
when Strolboff comes in the door"
he jerked out, you scream and start
for him. Charrington, you grab her
when she starts for him, and Ill close
the door. Then you hold the girl
f..tI ,f hA
toward the waitress just weep your
eyes out Charringtoh, you leave the
Russian to me. and for the love OF
Heaven, don't either OF you speak un-
less / ask you something. Just follow
my lead!"
Hurrying feet, seyidently clad in
heavy. military boots sounded outside
the door An instant later a chastened,
scared-looking Russian officer stood
before lhem Yvette emitted a pie.~c-
ing scream, leaped to her feet ard
fairly hurled herself across the room
Charrington awkwardly but effectively
checked her The Russian, very pale,
muttered something in his own tongue
ana tried TO back out the door. but
Bacon shut it quickly behind him.
Yyette sank back into her chair sob
bing
M Strolboff" Bacon began in low,
solemn tone, Ito say that | am panied
and shocked by what this woman has
told me ie putting it mildly
Il will EXPLAIN stammered the
Russian
There is no call for explanations"
returned Bacon. Il cannot but believe
what she has told me T." Bacon
re nal
lessness. This playing in the dark had
its disadvantages Fortunately the
Russian was sufficiently frightened to
bridge over the gaps
1T was mistake" he said rapidly
to the girl in French (Bacon drew a
long breath when he did not speak
Russian), "a horrible mistake
thought him dead-I swear to you
did | will make amendsl"
This is a matter put in Bacon
gravely. which NJ. Strolboff and my
self had best discuss in private
He walked quickly TO the door Of the
inner room, opened it and bowed to
the Russian. Strolboff walked through
and the door clos I'd. For fifteen min
utes Charrington and the girl sat silent
in two corners of the Office From time
W tiiut tlltg lEnlh ttit litlAiNh aOtiiN
Of voices At length the door opened
and the Russian came out followed by
Bacon.
Madame" announced Bacon, you
may rest assured | have convinced
NJ Strolboff as to what Is his duty in
this matter, and | shall see to it that
your rights are protected.
With heavy dignity he turned to
gharrington
In the course Of affairs diplomatic"
ne continued "it sometimes occurs that
personal matters lend themselves 10
the solution of grayer problems. NJ.
Strolboff has sinned against the
woman too deeply TO make complete
rcparation, Here In this isolated place
we are far from justice ! may have
presumed too much, but I have taken
il upon myself TO be the judge--as man
10 man. There was no lodging the
fact that NJ Strolboff should be forced |
to do something We have finally ar
rived at the conclusion that he VIII |
allow NJ. Charrington to embark the |
Russian peasants-and that the affair |
will be considered closed"
Bacon bowed gravely and opened the |
door The Russian bowed. shot quick |
glance at the woman, and sided out |
From the squat. ugly funnel Of the
"Boric." clouds of black smoke rolled |
out and spread heavily over the empty |
harhor The frowsy heads of the Rus
sian peasants lined the rails. and |
cheerful faces grinned down at Bacon |
and Charrington who stood on the pier
below
"Naughty-s and ninety-eight''
chortled Bacon. its a combination too /
big for Russia"
Charrington pumped him steadily by |
the hand as the gangplank commenced
to slip.
"Ill see TO it that dignifed version
of the inside history of The yalny At
fair goes into the right ears" he 4
promised You're a born diplomat
Frederick. and you're going up. You
just leave things to me. I'll have that
red ribbon across your dress-shirt or
my names not Billy Charrington."
Bacon, kicking his heels against the
great stone pier, watched the smudge
from the steamer die on the horizon
lie looked at the skeletons of the
dredges the long stretches of waste
land. the bare, aarsh outlines of The
hills and the great dome of emptiness
He whistled happily and filled his pipe
As he inhaled the first puff he grinned
happily TO himself and with one finger
traced q diagonal line across his shirt. :