The Washington herald., 1913-11-09

ing?" inquired Brian distinctly.
The left one" said Waring, with a
perfectly level gaze
About the moment of dessert the cir
, Gus man spoke feelingly of San Bruno
as site for menagerie:
@This climate will be especially bene-
fetal to my jaguars and capuchin mon
keys. Yes; San Bruno will be very
helpful to all my animals"
"Just how helpful will your animals
promptly.
Think of the vast amount of provi-
sions we will consume"
Peanuts, for instanee?" inquired the
pert young man.
At the mention of the harmless nee
fessary nut the suave Waring, for some
unaccountable reason, became so con-
fused that he spilled wine in his nes-
selrole.
81 leave the peanut business to pea
nut minds" he finally managed to re-
tort.
Brian heard the Mona Lisa smile out
loud and the icy Miss Ketchum mur-
mur: "GoodP
They had coffee in the palm-6lled
inclosed patio of the house.
At last Brian was put in charge of
the unwilling Miss Sparks. who sat
beside him and yawned like a torpid
reptile.
'1 don't blame you" said Brian. 'T'm
goih' into trance myself"
would you mind opening the win
dow?' she gasped.
you've saved my lifel" said Brian,
crossing to a French door in the hall,
close to a jungle of palms and high
backed chairs. Somewhere within
those depths he could hear soprano
and basso engaged in domestic argu-
ment. 4
why lid you ask that insuferablc
little bounder?" asked Soprano Voice.
Darling. 1 know he's the limit; but
he's got something we need-need
bad" replied Basso Voice.
THE miserable little clerkp (She
pronounced it clark)
''Of course, he doesn't know how to
behave like gentleman!''
Brian opened the door, then tiptoed
around the room in such a way as to
avoid the torpid Miss Sparks. He ap-
preached the jungle of palms and
chairs from the other side of the room
and found Ketchum and his wife still
in domestic parley.
Good night" said Brian drily.
Must you be going" inquired the
lady. -
Ketchum accompanied Brian to the
obby.
Now, my boy" he whispered, with
/ warm pressure of the palm, Il hope
you'll be reasonable and let US have
hat option"
When they were outside, he continu-
ID: Il want that option right away.
III give you four thousand for it"
IT'S gone up to eight" replied the
Little Booster, as he melted into the
darkness.
Can you beat it," he kept asking
himself, as he walked along.
But one sweet, consoling thought
;aused him to forget all pain. That
nan Waring was fraud before whom
dissup and Ketchum were going like
ambs to the slaughter. Brian could
lot, for the life of him, fathom War
ngs confusion at the mention of pea
luts; but he saw plainly that the man
vas not the son of John w. Waring.
"a telegram for you, Mr.. Blaney,
aid the night clerk at the Grand, as
Brian entered
As he read its contents his features
relaxed into a broad grin;
nd, once locked in the privacy of his
oudoir, he tore off his dress collar and
brew himself on the bed.
"Peanutsl' he chuckied. 20 youi
eanutsf'
Next morning, as he stood brushing
is auburn tresses, it occurred to Brian
hat a little absent treatment might
'het Ketchum's appetite for that op-
on.
After breakfast he told the clerk he
,ould be gone for the day; then he
ired car, and went rafting out to
Iealthy View.
Brian found Betsy raling the gravel
f the front walk. How is gr<hdpa p
E asked II
Too well to stay home" she replied. {
He's off on boasting tour through
lie Healthy View colony"
Lets go over to Sandy Point Inn {
nd have lunch" he suggested
In short space of time Betsy, ar
lyed in white serge, sat beside Brian l
the car Their luncheon at the inn
as fraught with unusual silences,
inctuated by witticisms that, some 7
wv, seemed to miss FIRE. 7
After the meal they sat outside on