The Detroit times., 1912-03-26
CHAPTER V.
Mr.. Van Camp Makes a CaR>


Mr.. Van Camp Makes a caR.
Aleck Van Camp turned from tho
clerks desk, rather relieved 10 ma
that Hambleton had not yet made ne
appearance. Aleck had an errand on
his mind, and he reflected thas jim
was apt TO be impetuous and reilct-
ant 20 await another mans convent
ence: at least, Jim wouldn't perceive
that another mans convenience need
ed TO be waited for; and Aleck had no
mind 10 announce this errand from
the housetops. II was not business
that pertained, directly, either to tho
Sea Gull or TO the coming cruise
He made an uncomonly careful toll
ct. discarding two neckties before the
operation was finished. When ali was
done the cravat presented stunned
and warped appearance which was
not at all satisfying, even 10 Aieck
uncritical eye; but the tie was tte
last of his supply and was, perhaps,
slightly better than none at all.
Dinner at the club was usually n
dull AFFAIR, and 10 Mr.. Van Camp, on
this Monday night it seemed more
stupid than ever. The club had been
organized in the spirit OF English
clubs. with the unwritten bylaw OF aD-
solute and inviolable privacy for the
individual. No wild or wooliy mar
ners ever entered those decorous pre-
cincts. No slapping on the shoulder
no haiIfeIlow greetings, no chance
dinner companionship ever disrelled
the awful penumbra of privacy that
surrounded even the humblest mem
her. \ mans eating and drinking, MS
coming or going, his living or OWING
were matters only for club statistics
not for personal inquiry or notice.
/ The result OF this habitual attitude
on the part of the members OF the
Grub and its servants was an atmos
| phere in which a cataleptic tit would
| scarcely warrant unofficial interior
ence: much less would merely mawk
ish or obsent-minded behavior attraci
attention. That was the function o.
the club-to provide sanctuary FOL
personal whims and idiosyncrasiesi
+, OF course, always within the boLn
daries of the code.
On the evening in question Mr.. Var
Camp did not actually become SHY
but his manner lacked the poise anC
seriousness which sophisticated mel
are wont 10 bring to the importan
| event of the day. He was as heal
being nervous as a Scotch-AmericGI
Van Camp would be; and at the Same
time he felt an unwonted flow OF III
and warmth in his cool veins. H'
went so far as to make remark e
the waiter which he meant for al al
fable Joke, and then wanted to klcl
the fellow for taking II so solemnly
You mind yourself, George, o
they'll make you abbot of this mon
astefy yeti" said -Aleck. as Geor6.
helped him on with his evening coa'
Eyes, sir, thank you, SIR" sail
George.
He left word at the office that II
case any one called he was to be IL
formed that Mr.. Van Camp would re
turn 10 the club for the night; then
In his silk hat and generally shining
tcgs. he set forth to make call. IL
was no stranger to New York, an
usually he took his cities as the,
came, with matter-of-fact nonchaI
ance. He would be as much at hom
on his second day In London as n
had ever been in Lynn; or he woul'
go from q friends weekend house
party, where the habits OF Sybarit
were forced on him, to a camp III "a
woods and pilot-bread fare, with al
equal smoothness of temper and Gil
joyment. Since luxury made no i'm
preston on him, and hardship neve
blunted his own ideals of politcnes
or pleasure. no one ever knew whicl
life he preferred.
Choosing TO walk the 10 or 2
squares to the Archangel apartment
house, his destination, Van CAM
looked about him, on this night Of III
arrival, with slightly quickened pei
ceptions. He cast a mildly apprecia
, tive eve toward the picture disclose
here and there by the glancing ligats
; the ehiaroseuro of the interseetin
streets. the constantly changing vie
tas. For an unimpressionable mar
he was raCher wrought upon. Never
, with some difficulty and preferre'
French.
: theless, he entered the charmin
apartment whittier he was bound wit
E the detached and composed mamie
which society regards as becoming
A maid with a foreign accent greete
: him. Yes, Mademoisele Reynier va
at home: Mr. Van Camp would fin
her i'm the drawing room.
!. The stiff and unrelaxed name
) with which Mr.. Van Camp bowed
4 Miss Reynier a moment later was no
: al all indicative of the fairly respec
able fever within his Scotch breas