Omaha daily bee., 1911-03-05

his name slip from his memory for this
moment.
The younger man hesitated for an in
slant. and then said quietly, Milton
Fletcher" with a slight bow.
The name was scribbed on the register
as a servant took Fletchers coat. and the
two men went at once 10 the billiard
room.
They had played only n few minutes
when an elderly man, who was putting a
fat cigar approached the table. lie was
at once greeted effusively by MaXwells
sponsor, who said
'Hullo, Phnlips! Shake hands with Mr..
Fletcher Phillips old boy Mr.. Fletcher
is a visitor from England. and he can do
you up at this game with his left hand
After that, It seemed impossible for any
one to come within ten feet OF the billiard
table without being introduced. The Eng
lshman put good face on the matter and
managed to say something each time in
reply to the eternal question. What do
you think of American" or, How do you
like this country" Considering that he
had been in the country Just three DAYS
the opinions that he expressed were GER
tainly flattering, even IL they were based
almost entirely upon the results OF visit
to Brooklyn.
firing of the billiards, the two men went
into the cafe, and there more promiscuous
introductions took place. Every one had
to shake hands with Fletcher. Most of the
men seemed quite pleased to meet a friend
OF Charlie" which was the only name
the man with the loud waistcoat was adj
dressed by in that gathering. The clubmen
who were introduced to Fletcher evidently
liked his looks A tall we'll set-up young
No.
great deal in his favor in any company.
Among the men who were thus presented
to the young Englishman was a Mr.. Paul
Maynard, a tall, fine looking man with n
gray mustache, large nose, and a prOmi-
nent chin. Maynard was rather thin for
his height, and had a peculiar nervous lit
tie laugh which. however went very we'll
with his soft voice and his gentle man.
ners lie insisted on a drink which they
had hardly swallowed when some one chaI-
lenged Charlie to another game Of bill
lizards. Charlie" jumped mp at once. ex-
cusing himself with the remark:
You know | am a fiend at that game.
Back presently, Take care of Mr.. Fletcher
for me, Maynard"
As soon as Charlie" was gone Maynard
asked his new acquaintance if he would
not like to see the building. and they went
through 1t. Maynard was pleased 20 find
that Fletcher appreciated what ne saw
You are the first Engshman that I have
taken over this house" he said that did
not confine his remarks TO saying we kept
the place too beastly hot, or that there
was not enough ventilation" Then he
laughed. that nervous little laugh Of his
and proposed a return 10 the company in
the cafe.
The men there talked about various
things. mostly business and politics with
an occasional dash Of sports. Maynard no.
ticed that Fletcher seemed 10 be better as
a listener than as "A tal,or. lie also oh
served that while the others were very
free in their expressions OF opinions
Fletcher preferred to agree rather than
discuss. When some man, with great
Nehemence. would give the others the bens-
fit Of his ideas Maynard would eaton
, Fletchers eyes qui nv fixed on the speaker
with a peculiar, searching look, and
smile which seemed 20 conceal itself
Occas onaIly some one would put 10
Fletcher direct question that would have
brought from an American an illustration
draw from his own eEporiencc. but the
Er glishmau did not touch upon his own
affairs Not once did he refer 90 anything
tina. had ever happened 10 him person
ally. or TO any acquaintance that ne might
lave had, or 20 INV place tina. DIE had
over been. The skll with which me- avoided
such things appeared 10 Maynard az re-
markable. lie knew that tugiishmen
seldom discussed Their private affairs even
with their friends, never with strangers.
But such Englishmen a. he had met were
always fun Of anecdote and reminiscence.
especially II any reference were made 10
D places and things at home"
Cfo BE CCntinuea-)