The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1913-01-18

practical captive in natures depths
until the beauty show was pulled voff.
After that event, he, would return.
and II the stranger was amenable to
reason, he could have his good clothes
back. but IL he acted put out at all,
for punishment he would have to &C.
cept the Watermelon's glorious attire.
Clean.shaven. well-clothed, there was
no longer any need for him to go to
the hotel, unless he wished to dine
there. II the devotee of nature, back
IN the swimming pool, was stranger
In these parts and not guest at the
hotel. the Watermelon felt that he
could do this with pleasure and safety.
1t was after twelve, and his ever-pres-
emf desire to eat was becoming too
pronounced to be comfortable. It
would be q fitting climax to a highly
delightful morning to have dinner,
surrounded by gentle folk again, for
the Watermelon came Of gentle
family. He had no fear. for some
time at least, Of the owner of the
borrowed clothes making himself un.
necessarily conspicuous. But. on the
other hand, II he were a guest at the
hotel. the clothes would probably be
recognized and murder be the sim
plest solution Of their change Of own.
ers. Still, reasoned the Watermelon,
with shrewd guess at the truth, II
he were a guest, 1t was hardly likely
that he would be swimming alone in
the isolated pond, in the bathing suit
designed by nature.
Tho wood ended abruptly at q stone
wall. There was a road beyond the
wall. and beyond the road, another
stone wall and more woods. It was
a narrow woodland road, a short cut
to the hotel. 1t wound its way out of
sight, up hill, through the pines. II
was grass-grown and shady and the
trees met overhead. Sweetbrier and
wild roses grew along the stone walls,
while gay little flowers and delicate
ferns ventured out into the road ITSELF
! and with every passing breeze nodded
merrily from the ruts Of last winter's
wood hauling. BY the side of the
road. like a glazing anachronism. q
variety theater in Paradise, vacuum
cleaner among the ferns and daisies
stood huge red touring car with
shining brass work and raised top. Nc
one was anywhere in sight and the
Watermelon climbed into the tonneau
and leaned comfortably back in the
roomy depths.
Home, Henry said he languidly
to an imaginary chauffeur.
A honk, honk behind him answered
He leaned from tho car and saw an
other turn into the road and come
toward him. 1t was touring car, biz
and blue. An elderly gentleman, fat
'eerious. important, was at the wheel
Beside him sat a lady. and a chauf
feur languished In tho tonneau.
Hello. Thomas" called the OLD
gentleman with the affability of a per
forming elephant, addressing the Wa
termelon by the name of his car, a,
is the custom of the road.
Hello. William" answered the Wa
termelon. wondering why they Gale,
him Thomas.
The old gentleman flushed angrIl,
| and the lady laughed, a delightful
laugh of girlish amusement. The Wa
termelon smiled.
I'VE are a Packard" explained TIL,
old gentleman stif1ly.
Are you?" said the Watermelon
wholly unimpressed by the intorma
ton. well. amt Thomas"
Il called you by the name OF you,
car" said the old gentleman. II sur
mise that you have not had ono long
Il don't feel as II owned 1t now
the Watermelon admitted.
The old gentleman smiled genially
Anything was pardonable but Nip
pancy in response to his own utter
ances, none of which was ever lack
ing In weight or Importance. Tn,
young man, 1t seemed, was only igno
rant.
Are you In trouble?" he asked
with CLEAN Of anticipated pleasure
In his eyes. To tinker with a ma
chine and accomplish nothing but 8
crying need for an immediate BATH
was his dearest recreation.
NO" said the Watermelon, thinking
of the three, ten. in the pocket of thu
new clothes and Of the lonely swim
mer. II ain't-yet."
The old gentleman was vaguely dis
appointed. Can you run your ma
chine?" he asked. hopeful of reply
in the negative.
NO" said the Watermelon.
Wont go, eh?" The old gentle
man turned off the power in his ca,
and stepped forth. agilely, joyfully
prepared to do irreparable damage to
the strangers car. He drew off his
gloves and slipped them into hin
pocket, then for a moment he hest
tated.
where is your chauffeur"
Il haven't one" said the Water
melon.
The old gentleman disapproved
Until you know more about your
machine, you should have one," said
he oratorically. II am practically an
expert, and yet always take mine
uvfth mol