The Elbert County tribune., 1912-10-18

difference between those two perform
ances as there is between The Mikado
and Florodora. From Portland in
dress. same shops. same ungodly high
Buildings. Here 1t is different. at the
end Of every hundred miles"
George agreed conditionally. (The
Major wasn't very original in his
views-) He would have shed his last
drop Of blood for his native land. but
he was honest in acknowledging her
faults.
Conversation idled In various chan
nels. and finally became anchored at
jewels. Here the Major was at home,
and he loved emeralds above all 9TH
er stones. He proved to be an engag-
ing old fellow. had circled the globe
three or four times. and had had an
adventure or two worth recounting.
And when he incidentally mentioned
his niece. George wanted to shake his
hand.
Would Mr.. Jones join him with
peg to sleep on? Mr.. Jones certainly
would And after a mutual health,
George automatically excused himself
retired. buoyant and happy. How sim
pie the affair had beenl A fellow
could do anything II only he set his
mind to it. Tomorrow he would meet
Fortune Chedsoye. and may Beelzebub
shrive him If he could not manage to
control his recalcitrant tongue.
As he passed out OF sight, Major
Callahan smiled. 1t was that old ia
miiiar smile which, charged with gen.
tie mockery, We send after departing
fools. 1t was plain that he needed
another peg to keep company with the
hrst, for he rose and gracefully wend-
ed mis- way downstairs to the bar. Two
men were already leaning against the
friendly, inviting mahogany. There
was a magnum OF champagne stand
ing between their glasses. The Major
ordered temperate whisky and soda,
drank it, frowned at the magnum. paid
the reckoning, and went back upstairs
again.
Don't remember old friends, eh?"
said the shorter of the two men.
caressing his incarnadined proboscis.
"A smile wouldn't have hurt him any.
do you think?"
Shut up!" admonished Ryanne.
You know the orders; no recognition
on the public floors"
why. l meant no harm" the other
protested. He took a swallow of wine.
But, dash It! here I am, more'n four
thousand miles from old Broadway.
and still walking blind. When is the
show to start?"
Not SO loud. old boy. You've got to
have patience. You've had some good
pickings for the past three months.
In the smoke-rooms. That ought to
soothe you"
We'll, 1t doesn't. Here l come from
New York, three months ago, with a
wad of money for you and great
game In sight. 1t takes week to find
you. and when l do Well. Won
know. No sooner are you awake, than
what? Off you go to Bagdad. on the
widest goose-chase a man ever heard
of. And that leaves me with nothing
to do and nobody to talk to. l could
have cried yesterday when got your
letter saying you'd be in today"
We'll, got It,"
THE rug?"
Yes. 1t was wild; but after what
I'd been through ! needed something
wild to steady my nerves; some big
danger. where I'd simply have to get
together"
And you got it7" There was frank
wonder and admiration in the pursy
gentleman's eyes. "All alone, and you
got 1t? Honest?"
Honest. They nearly had my hide.
though
Where is it?"
Sold"
"Who?"
"Percival"
Horace, you're a wonder, II there
ever was one. Sold 1t to Percival,
You couldn't beat that in a thousand
years. You're great man"
Praise from Sir Hubert"
Who's he?"
AN authority on several matters"
How much did he give you for 1t ?"
Tut, TUT! 1t was all my own little
jaunt. Wallace. should hate to lie
to you about it."
What about the stake gave you p,
Hyanne Hiaue sign OF dealing
cards.
Threw 1t away on a lot of dubs.
after all I've taught you'll"
Cards aren't my forte"
There's a yellow streak in your
hide, somewhere, Horace"
There is. but 1t is the tigers stripe,
my friend. What did with my money
Is my own business"
''Will she allow for that?"
Would 1t matter one way or the
other7"
No, l don't suppose It would. Some
times l think you're with us as a huge
joke. You don't take the gume seri-
GUS enough" Wallace emptied his
glass and tipped the bottle carefully.
you're out of your class. somehow"