The Washington times., 1912-05-04
CHAPTER II.
In the Matter OF Johanan Holstein.

In the Matter Of Johanan Holstein.
II 7 now remains for ME to narrate the
circumstances of the matter which
i compelled me, out of principle, to
leave the house of Marcus Bellair.
For a week after my unusual expe-
rlence, Bellair did not trouble mo with
his presence. And. personally, l avoided
the man, even going 80 far as to re-
main out of the house until after | was
sure that he had dined. Then I would
retire to my own den and rccsive serv-
Ice from the stern-mouthed, cold eyed
Mrs. Anselm.
We were strange household during
that week; indeed. we had been a
strange household from the beginning.
] regretted the hasty step which ] had
taken In removing my residence from
: Forty-fourth street to the house of
tcally a stranger.
i decided to cut my stay as short as
! could and as delicately as possible.
Io this end, / purposely told Mrs. An
selm that about January it was my Gus
tom to visit the West Indies in order to
escape the rigorous months of the early
year: l was not deceiving Mrs. Anslem
IN this, but l was anxious to leave
without appearing to have any sus-
should be. e'
Matters came to an unexpected con-
diusion. however, on the following Sun
It was raining heavily, and there was
nothing to- do but sit in the house and
make the best of it. About $50 o'clock
mrs mrs Anselm came upstairs and tapped.
Sne entered with her usual friEid air
she was dressed in an old-fashioned
pleck dress and carried with her an at
mossphere osp OF adamantine Puritanism.
The master presents his complime ri s,
Sir. and would be glad If you would
Join him at supper" she said, as II she
resented even carrying a message on
SUNDAY. It's cold supper" she added
on her own account, | fancy.
It was on my tongue to excuse my
ser on the plea of a headache, but I
am plain spoken man when it comes
70 refusing invitations. In this case,
however. l was particularly anxious to
avoid giving offense, and so curious to
know what my friends new mood
might be-. that assented Mrs An
selm signifed that she heard my ac-
ins.
She did not attend us at table that
evening.
AN invariable rule of hers" said Bel.
lair, whom l found in excellent spirits.
"A most estimable woman, Gettys
Keeps the house immaculate: minds her
own business; reads, l have no doubt,
r,n,dSi ner dfSnapter t morning and evening, and
ment on sundays. most refreshing
example in this Gotham of ours
There was a spot of high color on
each of his cheeks, and his eyes were
burning brightly-almost boyishiy. His
conversation, too, lacked that selfish
terized it.
Il hear from Mrs Anselm that YOU
are hoping to do the West Indies next
month" he said. And when I told him
Of my plans. he added cheerily;
Splendid! I am half-tempted to taxi
a holiday and pack off with YOU. To
nf NIL To,
slush and slipperiness-while you are
baking yourself along the Spanish Main
or taking snapshots of the Inquisitior
chambers of Cartagena. Heigh-o. What
sort of place is Port of SPAIN"
Port of Spain, Trinidad?" I said
Very unlike its name. English to the
core. The best planned, smartest
cleanest little town in the West Indies
Ing imbroglios. Lots OF smuggling. they
tell me. I remember, too, a fellow
named Blackmore, who was leaving La
Guayra for Port of Spain. Just as he
up and asked him to obltge by handine
package to a certain gentleman who
would introduce himself at Trinidad
Blackmore was in hurry and took the
package as the best way of getting rio
of the fellow. But on the voyage oyeI
ne thought 1t queer. He was a man OF
honor, however. and let the thing TAX,
its course. At Port of Spain SpanIsr
EeHtlenan came ABOARD and asked 4
! he had the package. He delivered 1t
caring little whether it was the riGh
man or not. 1t was the right man TIL,
package, Blackmore afterward discov
| cred, contained an enormous amount q
4 money in bills. II was intended for al
! eXtled president, who was in Trinidad
, Next month there vas a revolution
How very interesting" said BelIair
Did you ever know or hear of a maj
I named Ford in Trinidad?"
Ford? Ford?" I echoed Bless me
! no. ! drop into Trinidad only once in ,
, while and stay for a week at most
: Ford-FoTd!"
For, while | was sure I knew no on,
of that name. there was Somethins
! familiar about it, 1t did suggest Trini
dad. IT suggested the piazza Of the hote
, facing the savanna and the Governmen
z House, whisky and soda, and u news
I paper-the Port of Spain Gazette. AnC
II also suggested something more vague
which Allied me with uneasne 70
which I could in no way account
Come to think of it," ] saic to Bel
lair, II did hear of Ford in Trinidad
J il II should happen to be the same
Quite a story 1t Is, too"
All" And Bellairs face lit up Will
/ enthusiasm. II am eager to hear"
well, / give II as l remember it,"
warned. This Ford was the oversee
name-some Carib Indian name"
Marcus Bellair opened his mouth-t
speak. ! thought; but he said nothing
and I went on:
"Eemp was the name Of the Owne
Of the plaCe-a very rich planter, the,
said. His daughter-l remembe
her name, either.