Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-07-25


bound. We find you an adventure;
it's up to you to make good
"But, once more suppose chap gets
little too rough game. and doesn't
turn up for his dividends; what them
"In that event." answered Ryanne
Z sadly. "the stock reverts to the gen.
eral fund"
George lay back in his chair and let
go his laughter. "You are mighty
good company, Mr.. Ryanne."
M well, well; we'll say nothing more
about 1t. But q moment gone you
spoke as If you were game for an ex-
+ plot"
81 still am. But If knew the ad.
venture was prearranged, as you say,
and l was up against wall, there
would be the inclination to cable the
firm for more instructions"
Ryanne himself laughed this time.
"That's a good idea. I don't believe
the company ever thought of such
contingency. But I repeat. our busi-
ness is to give you the kickoff. After
that you have to fight for your own
downs"
1.-THE stock isn't listed?" again
laughing.
Scarcely. One man tells another,
MS tell you, and so on
'You send me the prospectus. I'm
rather curious to have look at It."
'T certainly shall do So" replied
Ryanne, with gravity unassumed.
"Ah! Here come Mrs. Chedsoye and
her daughter. If you don't mind, III
make myself scarce I do not care
to see them just now. after your haV-
ing told them about the stolen
Yhiordes."
.Tm sorry" said George, rising
eagerly.
ats all in the game" gallantly.
George saw him gracefully MAJ
neuver his way round the crush to-
ward the stairs leading to the bar.
Really. he would like to know more
about this amiable free-lance. AS the
old fellows used to say, he little
dreamed that destiny, one of those
things from Pandora's box. was pre-
pairing q deeper and more intimate
acquaintance.
"And what has been amusing you,
Mr.. Jones?" asked Mrs. Chedsoye. 1
saw you laughing"
81 was talking with the rug chap.
He's a droll fellow. He said that he
had met you somewhere. but con-
cluded not to renew the acquaintance,
since told him that his adventure IN
part was known to YOU
"That Is foolish. I rather enjoy
meeting men Of his stamp. Don't you,
Fortune?"
Sometimes" with dry little
smile. 81 believe we have met him,
mother. There was. something IA
miliar about his head. Of course, we
saw him only from distance"
81 do not think there Is any real
harm in him." said George. what
made me laugh was singular Dropo-
sition he set before mo. He said he
owned stock in a concern called The
United Romance and Adventure COM
rpany;' and that for a specified sum Of
money, one could have any adventure
one pleased"
did you ever hear of such q
tning?" cried the mother merrlly. Fer
tune searched her face keenly. THE
United Romance and Adventure Com
pany! He must have been Joking.
What did you say his name is7'
"Ryanne Joking is my idea exact
~" George agreed. "The scheme Is
to plunge the stockholder into real
live adventure. and then let him pull
himself out the best way he can
Sounds good He added that this rug
business was an instance of the sue
cess Of the concern. There goes the
music. Do you dance. Miss Ched-
,soye?"
"a little" Fortune was preoccu-
pied She was wondering what lay
behind Mr.. Rynnne's amiable Jest
60 along, both OF you" said Mira
Chedsoye. II am too old to dance I
prefer watching people" She sat
down and arranged herself comfort
ably. She was always arranging her
self comfortably; it was one OF the Sc
crets of her perennial youth. She
was very lovely. but George had eyes
for the daughter only. Mrs. Ched.
isoye saw this, but was not in the least
lchagrined.
at is so many years since l tripped
the light fantastic toe" George con-
ifessed, reluctantly and nervously, now
that he had bravely committed him
sell. ut is quite possible that the
accent will be primarily upon the
"trip"
Fl! "Perhaps, then" replied the girl,
who truthfully was out OF tune. per
Ihaps had better get my wraps and
well go outside. The night is glori.
,ous."
a; She couldn't have. suggested any
thing more to his liking. And so,
after a little hurrying about, the two
Young people went outside and began
. 4 -, NJ