Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-05-02
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Social Bucaneer
By Frederic s. Ishom
By Frederic s. Isham
CHAPTER XXI.
Needs Must,
Copyright 1910, by the eobbs-MsrriII Company.

passed at lndt HlOIieul. SIPPiiS 4"
coin into the lads hand, he asked him
to see if Sir Archibald Bamford had
yet returned 60 hiS suite of rooms on
the sixth floor. If the gentleman
would send up his card at the office,
began the boy, when the other inter-
rupted; he preferred to wait here; let
the lad do as he told him; just find out
if Sir Archibald had come back to the
apartments he kept reserved for his
town use. Whereupon the young Ariel
i'm uniform, discerning that the indi-
vidual with the high English accent
for some reason wished to remain
where he was for the moment, van
ished on his errand.
He was gone but a short while.
When he came back he conveyed the
news that Sir Archibald had not yet
returned to town, but that word had
been received that he expected soon to
occupy his suite. Having conveyed
which information, Ariel fingered as
if he thought there might be a tip
both coming and going; such things
had happened. James, about to wave
him loftily away, hesitated.
Scribbling hastily a note, he placed
il in an envelope he found near at
hand, sealed it and bade the lad give
il to the young lady at the desk on
the sixth floor, with very especial in
structions that Sir Archibald was to-
get it at once on his arrival. AT
once" repeated James, and empha-
sized the words, though reluctantly,
with the obviously expected second
tip; he even, in concession to distort-
ed Yankee ideas and in view of the
extreme Importance of the matter in
hand, compromised with himself by
stretching the gratuity to rather Ii
beral proportions.
Perhaps the fact that the valet was
in good humor may also have had
somewhat to do with his unwonted
generosity. Mr.. Bruce, eating his
lunch at little side table in the palm
room, no doubt thought himself now
free from espionage. He might, in
deed, with good reason, fancy he had
escaped from his troublesome follow
er in one of the crowded department
stores into which he had taken refuge;
but James, keen as fox terrier, had
managed to keep to his task. He had
even changed his vehicle for one diff
ferent in appearance, and that the
young man was unaware of his pres
ence at the moment in the big hostel
ry he felt fairy well assured.
To keep Mr.. Bruce better in view,
Turkish room. There, amid an atmos-
phere of luxury, with murmur of soft
voices around him and swish Of
feminine draperies sweeping the per-
fumed air to his senses, the valet set
tied himself, well-contented, at his
post of reconnaissance. Between green
palm branches and curtain-folds, he
could distinguish a part of Bruce's fig
ure: but he could not see his face.
James clasped his fingers over his
knees and waited. He had no idea
what these new, unwOnted activities
forced upon him, meant; just why he
was there; he did not much care.
He had served Sir Archibald in
many places in the East and In the
West, and, in this life of variety, fiut-
ter and ferment, James availed him.
self gladly of all periods of rest. Some
of the calm of the Orient that he had
unconsciously breathed into his being.
descended on him now; he needed
only the sound of the temple bells,
with the almost interminahle interval
between strokes, to set him a-dream-
ing.
Mr.. Bruce dreamed, without that in
centive; but whether they were pleas
ant dreams or not, who shall say? why
had he come there? In a spirit of
bravadO? Or, had he reasoned, as well
there as anywhere else? That amid
very many, one may he like the pro-
verbal needle? Here, in the palm
room. scores fitted this way, scores
that. There were about him move
ments comparable only to those of the
butterflies in a sunlit meadow; up
futterings, brief agitations, momen-
tary tranquility, holdings and bow
mgS. curvingS ana DendlnSS.
What a place for a man, alone, bow
ed down. perhaps, by gloomy thoughts;
regrets! No cave of despair. no slough
Of despond this! At least, on the sur
face, Gaiete de- occur! Famed by
creature comforts, Titbits and sauce
piquant The dishes of Frederic or
Paillard; atmosphere. a rAmericaine!
Bruce looked into space as he gave
his order; his mind was far away.
Now he leaned his head on his elbow
and watched woman's graceful form.
She had the straight, slender sup
pleness of another who, it may be,
came to his mind at that moment; she
turned her head; he saw her features.
Then he gaZed aside; why make COM
parisons? So unfair to others, no
doubt passable enough in their own
way, If he wished to think of her, he
could perhaps. the better do so by
gazing up at the lights. They twink
led mockingly. hundreds of them, as
if to remind him that they, with their
paltry luster, were not stars: the stars
he might remember because of her.
Here, amid light, as much as one
could wish for, the shadows again
seemed descending, gathering around.
He had forgotten James.
A millionaire gambler and buccaneer
of the Street paused to speak with
him Bruce looked up gaily; perhaps
he was conscious at the moment this
casual acquaintance might have caught
Il rather somher expression on his race.
The young fellow felt keenly alive to
even the most trifling possibilities;
but the bucket shop broker" we'll
fed, followed 10y two gorgeOusly dress
ed women. sauutcrcd uncOncernedly
ON.
At the same moment stncky mdi-
vidual standing in the doorway,
caught the young mans eye. Mr.. Boil
y,.r slightly finished seemed seeking