Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-12-27


! thoughts He recalled the Incidents
OF that Wild night and began 10 have
a disquiefing doubt Did that chance
meeting With the chap from St Louis
have anything TO do with his presence
here. or had he really decided I'm some
/ foolish. drunken within 20 take a trip 10
Central American He recolIected that
jefferson Locke had not impressed
bin very fnvorably Mt the start.
The sound OF a bugle. which Kirk
[ interpreted rs an invitation TO break.
/ fast, reminded him that he was fam
ished. and be lost no time in going be
low. Upon his appearance the stew
ard made Il plain 10 him IN some
subtle manner that the occupant OF
suit \ needed nothing beyond the
mere possession OF those magnificent
quarters 10 insure the most considerate
treatment Kirk was placed at the
captains table. where his hunger was
soon appeased. and his outlook grew
more cheerful with the complete res
toration OF bodily comfort.
Getting your sea legs. Mr.. Locke"
inquired the man at his right.
MY name Is Anthony"
Il beg your pardon. The passenger
list said
That was a mistake"
My name is Stein. May ass
where you are bound forE'
Il think the place IS Panama
Going 10 work on the canalT'
what canal? Oh. OF course, Now
remember hearing something about
a Panama canal. Is that where IL is:
That's the place. Stein replied
dry!y.
"Oh, I've heard It mentioned"
Well, you won't hear anything else
mentioned down here. It's the one
and only subject OF conversation No
body thinks or talks or dreams about
anything except the canal. Everybody
works on IL or else works for some
body who does. See this fellow com
Ing down the stairs" Anthony be-
held a slender. bald headed man 81
youthful appearance. That Is Ste
pheu Ccrtlandt You've heard Of the
COrtiaudtsf"
Sure: one OF them pitched for the
Cubs"
4 mean the Cortlandts OF Washing
ton They're swell people. society
folks and all that He broke OF 10
bow c1usively 20 the late conner. whN
seated himself opposite. Then he in
troduced Kirk.
Mr.. COrtlandt impressed Anthony as
n cold blooded. highly schooled person.
absolutely devoid Of sentiment. lie /
seemed by no means efeminatc. yet he I
was one OF those immaculate beings f.
Frrra s-frt
4 specs OF dust or bead Of perspira- /.
ton.
by the way. were getting M pool .
on the ships run Stein told bis new .
Would you like 10 .
joiuE' =
Yes. indeed. I'm for anything in
the line q chance"
Very well. I'll see you in the smoL-
ing room later. II viii cost you only
80"
Xix suddenly recalled his financial
condition and fastened TO say. a trihe
amely:
"Come to think about il. ! believe I'll
stay out I never gamble" CHANGING
10 glance M NJ the moment he found
Mr.. COrtlaudt's eyes fixed upon him
with peculiarly amused look and a
lew minutes later he followed Mr..
Stein 10 the deck above.
Once in his own stateroom search
.howed Kirk that even his watch was
rome and that his only asset. evidently
overlooked by the hilarious Higgins
md his co-partner in crime. was a
modest three stone finger ring. He had
neither baggage nor money He was
egardinE his ring speCUlatively when
he purseT knocked. then entered at his
all
i've just heard that there's a mis-
axe about your ticket" the newcomer
,egan. 1t IS made out 10 Mr.. JefIer-
on Locke but the doctor says you
INSIST your name Is something else"
That's right Ny name is Anthony"
Then how did 1 get this ticket?'
I'm sure ! don't know"
Have you any baggage?"
~ don't know"
What is your destination"
Il don't know. You'H pardon my
United vocabulary
But 1 don't understand"
Neither do I. But ! must have some
luggage. ] need a clean shirt and col. :
Ar"
II you are not Mr.. Locke the ticket
10 good"
'HUTrah, Put me or l
"You don't understa nd-the ticket is
God. but
Pardon the personal nature Of the q
ues JoD-but-what size shirt dc you {
-ear:T
Seventeen"
saved. Let me have about six. VIII
ous"