Evening star., 1912-11-03

will disappear sometimes for six or eight months a
time And when he in7y shows up again his checks
and the back of his neck will look more like old mahog
any than but he'll settle down once more without
slvin word And, whether he goes you'll
always see along with him, like kind of afternoon
shadow that blank-faced, six-foot Chink man of his
who acts as cook valet and bodyguard, and
known to smile speak above whisper.
GO the notion that there might be Mrs. Smiley some
- where in the background had entered my
head. Even after what the old girl had said, somehow
thought there must be mistake If there was, or IT
should turn that this wide female party only
WE'LL either way it wouldn't do any harm for Smiley to
get the tip few minutes ahead expect speeded up
that short cut, and | has the good luck to
find the Doc sttin calm and peaceful IN that COOL odd
furnished big Twin room of his.
He amt exactly sittn, either; for he's squattin
cross legged on big yellow fur rug putin away indus
rious of these nursn bottle Turkish pipes and
gain through the open door He's costumed mostly
purple silk jacket such as you see your laundry
wearin Sundays, red fez on his head and a pair
of wood -bottomed toe sandals on his bare feet.
Greetings, Shorty McCabe,' says he wavin friend
ly. Come in, won't you, and join me in contemplating
the possibility of achieving the absolute Nivrana'
"Can the highbrow stuff, Doc!' says l. 1--WE got
some news for you.
at can wait says he, shruggn his shoulders. Good
i'll, l scarcely expect it can disturb the"
"Then you got another guess, says [; for this piece
poets are that you'll be bumped some when it lands
"Ah, enigmatic ever' says he. But infer that
you deem your communication to be important
1T would be to me, if was in your shoes, says l.
"See here Doc you let out anything about havln
wife, did you9'
That gets through his guard, all right He stifens
little dgned and the quizzn look fickers out of his
eyes NO says he, I'm quite never mentioned
anything of the sort.
"Well" goes on, "you ought to know me well
enough to guess amt don this to pry n-but have
"Why-er-yes, 1 have says he, lettin it out reuc-
tant "that is, l had wife the last | knew. What
"Nothn much says I; "only she'll be here in about
six minutes"
@Lucle.' he gasps, droppin the snaky pipe stem and
starin pancky at the door. "Here?'
"Uhhuh," says l. Held Mrs McCabe and me up
on the road askin for you. sadie's actin as pilot
| come across lots to give you the hunch
"But-but you sure he begins, that it is"
"She had your name down pat, says |, 1and said she
was Mrs Smiley. Course, don't know how the
stands Doc, but you friend of mine, and if you
make duck all you got to do is
NO no. says he, gettn up and startn to pace back
and forth @I-er-there's no necessity for me to run
away. At the same time, I-er-why, this is most sur
prsng!'
a told you there bump comin,' says l. Il
take it you amt seen Mrs Smiley very recent
"It's been than twenty years, McCabe, says he
"Whe-e-ew!7 | whistles. "Who got the decree?"
"Theres been nothing of that kind, says he mo
did coincide, that is ALL Our parting was by mutual
consent. And | you that in many ways Mrs
Smiley excellent woman excellent
"So?' says |, blinkin' noncommita
"Of course he goes on, @at the time l considered
her nature somewhat vain and frivolous and being
with serious work to do well could not endure
trivial matters furnished her Without pardon me-
That is all past and gone. should like you to know
however, that when paths dverged l did what
seemed to the just and honorable thing. arranged
that she should have two-thrds of entire income
have faithfully carried out my part of the agreement
so | loss to understand why she should hunt
up now.
"She didn't tell me-" says |; "but she's her
way, and as | don't want to butt in any fond and
tender reunion guess I'll be"
Don't go!' says Smiley peadin' Stay | beg of
you. I-er-if, after ALL there should be mistake
YOU know, it might be best If could only be sure