Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1911-01-12

0SAS AAAON AK AOpSo NSts l4lu SOO
must let me tell you anything you care
to hear-about people, about places,
about hotels. I can begin. for instance,
by telling you who is who On this ship.
There are several of our millionaires."
Loveland's handsome young face lost
its frozen stare. He had taken a dis
like to Cadwallader Hunter, but it was
not so serious a dislike that he could
not bury it. He wanted to know sew
eral things which this man might be
able to tell, but most of all he wanted
to know about Mrs. Loveland's niece.
II know almost everybody on board
went on the American-'that is. every
body who counts"
"Who is that a walking with the
tall girl in gray" Val deigned to in
quire as his first choice among the
beauties of the ship came in sight.
SIS he some Of Importance"
Cadwallader Hunter naturally IN
derstood that it was the girl, not the
man, in whom Loveland was interest,
ed. "That is Judson r. Coolidge" he
replied, "and it is Miss Elinor Coo
lidge. his only child, who is with him.
He is a rich man, though not one of
u richest-made his money in the
wholesale dry goods business in Chi
cago. But Miss Elinor, whom he
adores. runs him (the mothers dead.
and as the girl knows her market
value she's induced her father to take
a big house in New York and a cottage
at Newport. Would you care to meet
them"'
"Thanks. yes. a little later" answer
ed Val. very civilly for him.
'"There are several other pretty young
women on board,' said Cadwallader
Hunter.
$50 I've noticed said Loveland.
"Ah, men of your country appreciate
the charming women of ours! You've
carried away many of our fairest flow
ers and some of the best worth pluck
ing"
els that a pun? asked Loveland,
staring at his companion to see if he
had the impudence to mean anything.
Major Cadwallader Hunter Uttered.
ooh, dear, | see what you mean
But. no. indeed; 1 was quite innocent
of any double entendre. l was merely
trying my best to be poetical. l assure
you. There vas no question Of pluck,
ing in the international alliances OF
British titles and American dollars ]
had in mind-a familiar and, to my
idea. suitable combination. But per.
haps you disapprove of international
marriages."
"Not T." said Val.
all that he wanted to learn. He now
knew. if he had not been practically
sure before. that Lord Loveland was
in search of Il rich wife. He saw his
way to earning considerable kudos in
playing bear leader to a young and IN.
usually good looking British peer, and
he determined to become that beal
leader. whether the bear yearned fol
his leadership or not.
Miss Coolidge is not the only hand
| SOMS llClICas, oll DOulu luS1c are OIu'
ers," he went on airily,
"Do you know a Mrs. Loveland on
the ship?" Val inquired after a slight
hesitation which he could hardly have
explained to himself.
Major Cadwallader Hunter shook his
head. Nov that you speak Of it
think | do recall there being a Mrs
Loveland on the passenger list. but
"She has Il NIECE said Val.
"Ah" The elder man pulled a fold
ed passenger list out of his pocket and
ran his eye down the LIS" Then
the niece has not the same name. Bu'
Il engage to find out all about the
ladies for you if you're interested in
them"
"Oh. very we'll; thank you," sale
Loveland stitny. with hat upward in
Fiction Of the voice which can make
a "thank you" as irritating as q mos
quito bite.
He "a ready now to use Major Cad
wallader Hunter for catspawing in al
its branches, but did not intend to be
overcivil in return.
And the would be leader was de
lighted to become Lord Loveland'
catspaw, because he hoped that hi
way of handling the chestnuts would
do him honor. He believed that i
through Lord Loveland he did not be
come king Of all the lions in New Yorl
that season he might at least be king
Jester.
Major Cadwallader Hunter pridet
himself on being able to find out ev
erything about everybody. even whe1
starting from the point of complete
ignorance and handicapped by a TIM
limit. Indeed, he had a nice defective
instinct. and putting it to use was on
Of the games he played best. But b.
found himself confronted with diff
culties in the case Of Mrs. Lovelant
and her niece.
1t vas simple to find out the girli
name and that Mrs. Loveland, tn
aunt. was a delicate little person, a
that time of life when sensible womel
cling no longer to the ragged edge O
youth as a bat clings to q shutter. Blu