River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1913-01-30


and the tie to go with the trousers
all the things which he himself lacked.
Was there also hat? Jimmy couldn't
make out, and so he asked:
Have you got on hat?'
A frigid voice answered, Il beg your
pardon!"
Il said, are you wearing hat? !
couldn't see, you know
Monsieur takes the liberty Of be-
ing impertinent."
"Oh, excuse me- beg your par
don. But it's so beastly hot and dark
in here, you know, and I've never been
seasick before"
mo? Monsieur is fortunate" The
visitor advanced little, drew from
recess a shoe-blacking outfit, pulled
over it one of the stiff blankets from
neighboring bunk, and sat down
rather cautiously. Little by little
| James made out more of the look OF
the man. He was large and rather
| blond, well-dressed, clean-shaven. He
spoke English easily, but with for
eign accent.
Il wish to inquire to what unfor-
tunate circumstances we are indebted
for your company on the Jeanne
| pare" The voice was cool and sharp
as meat-ax.
Why, to your own kind-hearted-
ness. l was a derelict and you took
me in-saved my life, in fact; for
which l am profoundly grateful. And
1 hope my presence here is not too
great a burden?"
81 am obliged to say that your pres
ence here is most unwelcome. More
over, l am aware that your previous
actions are open to suspicion, to ex-
press it mildly You threw yourself
off the tug; and as this is not pleas
ure yacht, but the vessel of high Of
| fetal speeding on a most important
| business matter, said to the captain,
Let him swim! Or, if he wishes to
die, why should we thwart him? But
the captain referred to the etiquette
Of the line as he calls it, and picked
you up. So you have not me to thank
for not being among the fishes this
minute"
Jimmy pulled his blanket about and
sat up on his bunk. The sarcastic
voice stirred his bile, and suddenly
there doomed in his memory wom-
ans call for help. The hooded motor
car, the muffled cry of terror, the in
ert figure being lifted over the side
of the yacht-these things crowded on
unreasoning fury. He leaned over,
looking sharply into the others face.
"You damned scoundrel!" he said,
choking with his anger. The blood
surged into his face and eyes; he was,
for an instant. primitive savage. He
could have laid violent hands on the
other man and done him to death, in
the fashion of the half-gods who lived
in the twilight of history.
The visitor in the fo'cas'le exhibited
a neat row of teeth and no resentment
whatever at Jim's remark. But a
sharp glitter shot from his eyes as he
replied suavely:
Monsieur has doubtless mistaken
this ship, and probably its master al
so, for some other less worthy adven-
turer on the sea. For that very rea-
| j
may be that have my quixotic mo-
ments At any rate, have fancy to
give you a gentioman's chance. Mon
sieur, I regret the necessity of being
| inhospitable, but | am forced to say
that you must quit the shelter of this
yacht, within twenty-four hours"
The thin, sarcastic voice and clean
cut syllables famed the fame of jim
my's rage He felt impotent, more
over, which never serves as poultice
to anger But he got himself in hand,
though imitation courtesy was not
much in his line He tuned his big
hearty voice to a pitch with the
Frenchman's nasal pipe, and clipped
off his words in mimicry.
"And to whom, pray, shall / have
the honor to say farewell, at the au-
spicious moment when l jump over
board?"
Gently, you American, gently!"
said the other. my friends, and
some of my enemies, know me as Mon
sieur Chatelard." AS he paused for
an impressive instant, Jim, grabbing
! his blanket, stood up in derision and
executed an elaborate bow in as for
eign a manner as he could command
Monsieur Chatelard politely waved
him down and continued:
But pray do not trouble to give me
your card! | had rather say adieu to
Monsieur the Unknown, whose daring
and temper l so much admire. But
certainly misunderstood your violent
remark a moment ago, did / not? You
car not possibly have any ground of
quarrel with me"
Il thought you stole my money
belt"
Monsieur smiled and waved depre-
| catory hand You have already dis
! missed that idea, / am certain. A
money belt, between gentlemen! More
over, you should thank me for so
much as recognizing the gentleman in
you, since you are without the custom
airy trappings of our class"
"Oh, don't know" said Jim. But
Monsieur Chatelard was now imper-
turbable He continued blandly:
Since you are fond of sea-baths,
you will no doubt enjoy plunge-to-
night possibly. AS we have made
rather slow progress, we are really
not so far from shore. Yes, on second
~~~0~~~~-~o-o~~-~-~-~~o~~-~
Proper Gymnastic Work.
Every person who has received gym