Abbeville progress. (Abbeville, Vermilion Parish, La.) 1913-1944, 1913-03-15

Ryanne presented his card.
How do you pronounce it?" asked
George naively.
AS they do In Cork"
Il never saw it spelled that way be-
fore"
Nothing surprising In that" replied
Ryanne. No one else has, either"
George laughed and waited for the
explanation.
You see, Ryan Is as good a name
as they make them; but It classes
with prize-fighters, politicians and bar
chemists. The two extra letters put
the finishing touch to the name. A
jewel Is all right, but what tells is
tho way you hang 1t round your neck.
To me. those additional letters repre-
sent the jewel Ryan in the hands OF a
Lalique."
You talk like an American"
Il am; three generations. What's
the matter?" with sudden concern.
George was frowning: Haven't
met you somewhere before?"
Not to my recollection" A specu-
lative frown now marred Ryanne's
forehead II did not illustrate a search
in his memory for such a casualty as
the meeting Of George. He never for
got a face and certainly did not re-
member Georges. Rather, the frown
had its source in the mild dread that
Percival Algernon had seen him some
where during one of those indisposi-
tons of the morning after. No; /
think you have made a mistake"
Likely enough. II just struck me
that you looked something like chap
named Wadsworth. who was half-back
in the varsity, when entered my
freshman year"
"A university man? Lord, no!
was turned loose at ten; been hustling
ever since" Ryanne spoke easily, not
tremor in his voice, although he
had received a slight mental jolt.
No; no college record here. But
want to chat with you about rugs.
I've heard of you, indirectly"
From the carpet fellows? We do
big business over here. What have
you got?"
"Weu I've a rug up in my room
I'd like to show you. want your judg,
mont for one thing Will you do me
the favor?
Since the girl had disappeared and
with her those imaginary appurte-
nances that had for space trans
formed the lounging-room into a stage
George saw again with normal vision
that the room was simply a common
rraetine-ground for well-dressed per
sons and addressed persons. OF the
unimpeachable. the impeccable, the
doubtful and the peccant; for In Cairo
as in ancient Egypt. there Is every
class and kind of humans, for whom
the Decalogue was written, tran
scribed. and shattered by the turpu
lent Moses. an incident more or less
forgotten these days. From the tall
NJ his eve he gave swift scrutiny to
his chance acquaintance, and he founo
nothing to warrant suspicion. IL "as
not an unusual procedure for men &c
hunt him ND in Cairo, in Constantinople
in Smyrna, or in any OF the o1enta,
cities where his business itinerary leo
him. The house of Mortimer & Jones
wos widely known. This man Ryanne
might have been anywhere between
thirty and forty. He was tall, well Sci
nm blond and smooth-skinned. True
no anneared to have been ill-fed ne
Gently. A little more flesh under tnt
ch.ek-borAs, a touch of color. and the
Iri imam would have been a handsome
ma ! George could read rug a league
Of $ they say, but he was child IL
tho natter of physiognomy, whereas
pv.nne was a postmaster in this re
80. Il was necessary both for hi'
business and safety. , .. ..
certainly, I'll take look at II
Put I tell you frankly went OF
George. that to interest me It's go
W he a very old one. You see, It's
w y, fad of mine, outside the business
end of II. I'm crazy over real rugs
md ! know something about ever!
~. one in existence, or known 10 81
Int. Is 1t coDy7"