Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1913-04-24
Copyright. 1910. by Meredith Nicholson

conduct in regard to Miss Cecilia Hol-
lister or anybody else. AS a philoso-
pher from the fertile corn lands of Ne
braska l salute you with admiration;
as a critic Of my ways and manners
l show you the door,"
This l did a bit %jauntily, and / had a
feeling that l was playing my part
we'll. But the young a before me
seemed to swell with the rage that
surged within him. He broke out fu-
iiously. beating the air with his fist;
then he controlled himself with pain
full effort.
You insult me, but my personal
grievances must watt" said Dick bro
kenly; but. speaking for the commit
tee, l wish to say that your attentions
to the young lady whom you have
dared, sir, to name are obnoxious to
u.s."
Nothing less than that" added
Shallenberger.
We will not stand for it." growled
Ormsby's heavy bass.
Mr.. Shallenberger." l replied even
ly, las a member Of the great Hoosier
school of novelists l have the most
profound respect for your talents. My
Office boy is dead to the world for
weeks after the appearance of a novel
from your pen. But your interference
in my private affairs is beyond all "a
son. And as for you, Mr.. Ormsby. l
dare say your knit goods are worthy Of
the fame Of the pentup Utica from
which you come. But to you and all
of you | bid defiance. I return to
Hopefeld Manor by the 4:14 express"
l rose and bowed coldly in dismissal.
but the trio stood their ground stub
hnrnlv
II tell you, sir. our organization is
completed" declared Dick. I'VE sign
ed a gentleman's agreement only last
night for the express purpose of ex-
Guiding you. and you cannot enter as a
competitor. You are only an outsider.
and we don't intend to have you inter-
fering with our affairs"
by the pink left ear Of Venus" I
blurted. lis it a trust?"
You put it coarsely. Mr.. Ames.
but
IA suitors' trust? Then, if 1 read the
newspapers correctly. your organiza-
ton is against public policy and in
contravention of the antitrust law.
But may l inquire why, if you have
perfected a combination Of Miss Hol-
listers suitors, I found Lord AFRO
wood this morning sitting on a stone
by the roadside, evidently in the great
est detection. Can it be possible that
an i%nsurgent has crept into your organ
ization and incurred the ~displeasure of
the regulars?"
I'VE ruled him out" Shallenberger
burst forth. because he was a for
eigner and not entitled to a place
among freeborn Americans! That is
n reason. and, for another, the col
ors Of his half hose were an offense
to me personally"
"And for another reason" interposed
Ormsby. "he had no money with which
to pay his board at the Prescott Arms.
For this just cause the landlord elected
him shortly after breakfast this morn
ing"
Then there is already a rift in the
lute!" returned. mo trust Of suitors
Is stronger than it's weakest link. NV
hand Is raised against your unrighteous
compact, and l am in the fight to stay!
Go back to the Prescott Arms, gentle
men, and assure your associates in this
hideous compact Of my most distin-
guished consideration and tell them to
go to the devil"
l had gone to the St. Parvenu hotel
to call upon a Washington Lady who
had been makingtdife a burden to my
assistant and OF looming out into Fifth
avenue shortly after I bethought me of
the Asolando tea room. My interview
with the committee Of the suitors had
driven from my mind practically every
consideration and every interest not
conferred in Hope1eld Manor. My
thoughts turned gratefully to the Aso-
lando. where only a few days ago I
had been precipitated into the strangest
adventures my eventless life had
known.
A strange race was visible at the
cashiers desk as I entered the tea
room. 1 passed on, finding the place
quite full, but I took it as a good omen
that the seventh table from the right
was unoccupied, and I hastily appropri-
ated 1T. A waitress appeared murmuring.
There are no birds in last years nest"
and recommended a Locker-Lampson
sandwich. whose contents the girl told
me We're secret. but it proved to be
wholly palatable. AS I drank my tea
and ate the sandwich I surveyed the
decorated menu card with interest and
found %pleasurable excitement in discov-
ering an item directing attention to
pickles a la Hezekiah, Is cents" The
delightful Hezekiah must. then. have