Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-03-08

low places; he seldom made mistake.
In Judging men offhand, an art &C
CURED only after many initial blunders
This man Breitmann was no sham: be
was a scholar. gentleman, fine lin
gust versed in politics and war. Well
the little mystery would be brushed
aside in the morning. Breitmann would
certainly recognize him.
But to have forgotten the girl, To
have permitted a course of events tc
discover her, Shameful. He jumped
into bed, and pulled the coverTet close
to his nose. and was soon asleep. sleeu
broken by fantastic dreams, In which
the past and present mixed with the
improbable chances of the future He
slept soundly till 8.
on the way to the dining room. be
met the man. The scars were little
deeper in color and the face was thin.
ner, but there was no shadow of doubt
in FitzgeraId's mind.
"Breitmann:" he said. with friendly
hand.
ut is you Fitzgerald? And what do
you here? extending both hands.
Come in to breakfast" Fitzgerald
said, land I'll tell you"
my table is here; sit by the window
Who was 1t said that the world l.
small?"
fitzgerald spread his napkin over his
knees. There was only one other man
Dreakfasting. He was small, wiry
person. white Of hair, and specialized
and was at that moment curiously en-.
ployed. He had pinned to the table a
small butterfly. yellow. with tiny dots
on the wings. He was critically in.
speeding his find through a jewelers.
glass.
i am visiting friends here" began
Fitzgerald. Rear Admiral Killigrew
was an old friend Of my fathers. did
not expect to remain. but the admiral
and his daughter insisted: so am
sending to New York for my luggage
and will go up this morning" He saw
no reason for giving fuller details.
$50 1t must have been you who
brought the admirars note. 1t is fate
Thanks. Some day that casual dinner
may give you good interest"
The little man with the butterfly
bent lower over his prize.
do you believe in curses? asked
Breitmann.
Ordinary, everyday curses. yes: but
not in Roman anathemas."
Neither Of those mean the curse
that sometimes dogs man day and
night-the curse of misfortune. was
hungry that night in Paris: have been
hungry many times since. have held
honorable places: today become a
servant at $40 month and my bread
and butter. A private secretary"
But why aren't you with some
newspaper" asked Fitzgerald. break
ing his eggs.
Breitmann drew up his shoulders.
For the same reason that | am rent
ing my brains as a private secretary.
None Of them will employ me-"
I'm New York, with your creden
tialsY
Even So
Il don't quite understand"
1T would take too long to explain"
Il can give you some letters"
Thank you. 1t would be useless
Secretly and subterraneously, | have
had the bottom knocked out from under
my feet. But no more of that. Some
day ! will give you my version"
The little man smiled over his but.
terty, took out wallet, something Cd
the pattern Of fsherman's, and put
the new found specimen into one Of
the mica compartments. in which other
dead butterflies of variant beauty re-
posed.
80 | become a private secretary TIL
the time offers something better"
Breitmann stared at the sea.
81 am sorry. l wish / could help
you. Better let me try" Fitzgerald
stirred his coffee. You are convinced
that there is some cabal working
against you in the newspaper bust