Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1911-03-08
Lieutenant Smythers
By DOROTHY DOUGLAS
(COpyright 1871. By Associated Literary Press)


Lieutenant Smythers, U. S. N, was
looking up an old schoolmate. 1t was
more or less of a mania with 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 a line under the steel blue Of his
eye; he had merely seen much of
the world in short time.
1t 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
seems to be the place" He stepped
within the vestibule of the building. 1t
was devoted almost entirely to studios,
and he looked over the brass plate
Of fu
pants.
X. 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 K. Saunders.
There was no response to his knock.
He knocked again, but apparently no
one was in
It was not often that the lieutenant
came to New York, and he liked to
get what he went after when he did
60 He stood for a 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 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 coy chair
by the CRATE fire he started apprehen-
sively. Saunders evidently was mar
ried. A dainty work basket, overflow
ing with laces, 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 a second the lieutenant had
himself pictured in the startling colOrs
of the yellow journals-irst as a bur
glar. then in q Saunders divorce case,
and last as dishonorably discharged
navy officer.
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
was visible to the person who had
entered.
"Oh, Karl! I've signed two years
contract with the Symphony! Isn't
that perlt >tly lovely?" 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 your"
The girl opened startled eyes.
For the moment Lieutenant Smyth-
ers had no notion of who he was; he
was conscious only of a wonderfully
beautiful girl with a 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.
II am Lieutenant Smythers and
come over from Annapolis to see your
husband. Karl Saunders"
The girls eyes gave him quick,
peculiar look
4 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 friends?"
Well am from little getting
of place about five miles from there
Marion"
From Marion! You are not by any
chance one Rufus OF whom l have
heard Karl speak?" She cast a more
or less impertinent glance at the
hair on Lieutenant Smythers' head.
81 feel quite certain you are" she said
with eyes which betrayed a spirit
of mischief, and now that am rea-
sonabIy certain that you are not bur
glar will you be seated. My-Karl
viii not be long"
AS far as the lieutenant was con-
cerned Karl Saunders could stay away
indefinitely His wife meantime shot
dart after dart near the region Of Lieu
tenant Smythers' heart. Had she been
3 single woman he would have flown
for his life; with all his strength the
lieutenant had fought against the fem
thine invader Because he knew that