Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-03-15

many decks above, in which he would
leave his baggage and occasionally sleep.
For all that he had cast regretful eye
only that very morning on battered lit
tie tramp steamer which was loading up
with cargo alongside wharf at Hoboken
due to sail for Europe. 80 a stevedore
told him. in about two days time.
Tomorrow he was to be taken yachting
in New York harbor by an old P. and o.
acquaintance, whom he had faithfully
Cooked up in accordance with a two
year-old promise, at his city Office THAT
morning. In the evening. at the invita-
ton OF an American actor to whom he
had once been OF service in Calcutta. he
was to dine at the Lambs Club-the New
York equivalent Of the Garrick and Green
Room. with a dash of the Eccentric
thrown inland the next day he was to
pay flying visit to Atlantic City.
Meanwhile he was putting in few off
hours at Coney Island. He had watched
! the islanders bathing. had witnessed a
display of highly-not to say epileptically
animated pictures. had spent half an
hour in an open cafe chantant. where a
bevy of tired-looking girls in short skirts
at the back of the small stage. shouting
the chorus of ditty which a wheeZy
lady (who looked like the mother OF all
chorus girls was singing at the front:
and had declined pressing invitation from
the keeper of an anatomical museum 10
49, - 40
dime
Finally he drifted into small theater.
where melodrama Of distinctly British
favor (seasoned to the Coney Island pal
tiOns) was unfolding itself to a closely
packed and hard-breathing audience.
To Judge from the state Of the atmos-
phere the entertainment had been in prog
ress for some time. AZ Hughie took his
seat the curtain rose on a moonlit mill
E9O1Yrao in, q
coats sat round camp fire on the audi
ences right hand, the only plainly recogr
nizable character being the heroine. who,
attired as hospital nurse and positively
aloofiy upon an erection which looked like
a sarcophagus. but was marked in plain
figures Ambulance" A sentry, who from
his gait Hughie took (rightly) to be the
comic man, was pacing up and down at
the back.
Presently the guard was changed. with
much saluting OF q pattern unknown at
any war Office, and the comic man, re-
leased from duty. was called upon to sing
| that dear ole song sou useter sing at
'ome." The cold light Of the moon hay
ing been temporarily replaced by broad
daylight in order to give the singer $
facial expression full play. he obliged,
though why any one who had heard him
sing the song before should have asked
him to sing it again passed Hughes COM
male) was called upon by the com. any.
and after q great exhibition OF reluctance
fully justified by her subsequent per-
! formance-gaye vent to patriotic ditty,
in which the only distinguishable rhymes
were BLACK Watch" ana Scotch"
| These revels brought the hero on to the
stage. He was attired In clerical dress
and a cavalry helmet; and. sitting down
beside the heroine upon the sarcophagus;
| he proceeded. oblivious Of the presence OF
the entire guard, who were huddled round
the FIRE not more than Ave feet away. TO
make irer proposal Of fnarriage; quoting
Scripture to some purpose, and extorting
a. demure Affirmative from the lady just
before the comic man, who had obviously
been lamenting that the success of the
piece should be imperiled by such stuff as
this. upset the soup kettle. and so gave a
fresh turn to the proceedings.
| All this time Hughie had been conscious
] Of IN increasing feeling Of curiosity rs to
the identify Of the only member of the