The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1912-12-18
Mr.. Van Camp Makes a Call.
CHAPTER ~.


that Hambleton had not yet made his
appearance. Aleck had an errand on
his mind, and he reflected that Jim
was apt to be impetuous and reluc-
tant to await another mans conve-
nience; at least, Jim wouldn't per-
ceive that another mans convenience
needed to be waited for; and Aleck
had no mind to announce this errand
frBm the housetops. 1t was not
business that pertained, directly, Ell
Their to the Sea Gull or to the coming
cruise.
He made an uncommonly careful
toilet, discarding two neckties before
the operation was finished. When all
was done the cravat presented a
stuffed and warped appearance which
was not at all satisfying, even to
Alexis uncritical eye; but the tie was
the last Of his supply and was, per
haps, slightly better than none at all.
Dinner at the club was usually
dull affair, and to Mr.. Van Camp, on
this Monday night, 1t seemed more
stupid than ever. The club had been
organized in the spirit of the English
clubs, with the unwritten bylaw Of abb
solute and inviolable privacy for the
Individual. No wild or woolly manners
ever entered those decorous precincts.
No slapping on the shoulder, no hail
fellow greetings, no chance dinner
companionship ever dispelled the aw-
full penumbra of privacy that sur
rounded even the humblest member.
A mans eating and drinking, his COM
ing or going, his living or dying, 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 club
and it's servants was an atmosphere
in which cataleptic fit would scarce
ly warrant unofficial interference;
absent-minded behavior attract atten-
ton. That was the function of the
club-to provide sanctuary for per-
sonal whims and idiosyncrasies; of
course, always within the boundaries
u the code.
Camp did not actually become silly,
but his manner lacked the poise and
seriousness which sophisticated men
are wont to bring to the important
event of the day. He was as near being
nervous as a Scotch-American Van
Camp could be-; and at the same time
an unwonted flow of life and warmth
in his cool veip1. He went so far as
to make remark to the waiter which
he meant for an affable joke, and then
wanted to kick the fellow for taking
1t so solemnly.
"You mind yourself, George, or they'll
make you abbot of this monastery
yeti" said Aleck, as George helped
him on with his evening coat.
"Yes, sir, thank you, sir" said
George.
He left word at the Office that in
case any one called he was to be In
formed that Mr.. Van Camp would re-
turn to the club for the night; then,
in his silk hat and generally shining
toys, he set forth to make call. he
was no stranger to New York, and
usually he took his cities as they
came, with a matter-of-fact noncha-
lance. He would be as much at home
on his second day In London as he
had ever been in Lynn; or he would
go from a friends weekend house
party, where the habits of Sybarite
were forced on him, to a camp in the
Woods and pilot-bread fare. with an
equal smoothness of temper and enjoy
ment. Since luxury made no impress
sion on him, and hardship never
blunted his own ideals of politeness
or pleasure. no one ever knew which
life he preferred
Choosing to walk fifteen or twenty
squares to the Archangel apartment
house, his destination. Van Camp
looked about him. on this night of his
arrival, with slightly quickened per
oeptions. He cast mildly apprecia
tive eye toward the picture disclosed
here and there by the glancing lights
the chiaroscuro of the intersectine
streets, the constantly changing Wis
tas. For an unimpressionable man. hi
was rather wrought upon. Neverthe
less. he entered the charming apart
ment whittier he was bound with the
detached and composed manner which
society regards as becoming. A maid
with a foreign accent greeted hin
Yes, Mademoiselle Reynier was a
home; Mr.. Van Camp would find he
In the drawing-room.
The stiff and unrelaxed manner witt
which Mr.. Van Camp bowed to Mis-
Reynier a moment later was not q
all indicative of the fairly respectable
fever within his Scotch breast. Mis-
ReYnier herself was pretty enough 4
cause quickened pulses. She was o
noble height. evidently woman o
the world. She gave Mr.. Van Cam
Der hand in a greeting mingled o
European daintiness and American
Xr<okness Her vitality and abound