The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1915-04-02

His dream of home and the folks"
was broken by the sounds Of a piano
forte. which at first had been inter-
twincd with tho strains Of the old me-
lodcon at the homestead. Drowsi'y he
perceived that Miss Jcnnison vas play
ing, and that his master, as he turned
the music. was standing very neal the
young woman.
At the moment Of his return to fnll
consciousness Marsh came over ana
TOOK n seat near him. Never had Steb-
bins seen this queer genius in such Il
loquacious and jovial mood. To be
sure. he couldn't understand Il quarter
of bis linguistic outpourings, but he
felt an assurance that they must be in
tended as jokes, and he laughed cuur-
teously at the vagncst Of them.
Eyes, MIR. %Stebbins," Marsh said
finally. "my salary depends upon the
profits of my sales. and speaking OF
profits reminds me to make a prophecy.
| predict that before the evening is
over we shall ave great news Of q
declaration of war
AS Stebbins grinned dutifu]ly at this
sally the music ceased and Miss Jen-
nison went away. Brill, no longer
charmed by the pianoforte, joined the
two, and Stebbins repeated to him the
latest jest Of Mr.. Marsh. Brill looked
ut the tout mar sharply.
eyes, I think just that persisted
Marsh. "Something tells me we shall
have news Of war before the evenings
much older"
Brill laughed good naturally as they
started for the smoking room he was
prepared for anything from this incor-
rigiblc joker.
But when they We're enjoying a quiet
game of cribbage Il little later Pro
fessor pennythorpe burst in with his
characteristic miniature cyclone style,
and shouted to the smoking
habitues:
"War has been declared-fussia has
declared war against Great Britain"!
In an instant the room was in u tur-
moil. Men dropped their cards, put
down their glasses Of varied beverages,
and either clamored for more news or
e~ndeavored to explain that which they
already had. Many paled, for fortunes
We're at stake; others laughed, for for
tunes were made. In all the hubbub
Marsh was the coolest Of any.
That's what l told your friend Steb-
bins he observed placldly.
You had seen the message replied
Brill, with IL smile.
III pledge you my word | had not
that is. not the one Pennythorpe saw.
BY the way, lets go and look at it."
The wireless Office was closed, but on
the bulletin board was the ominous
announcement, and a group of passen-
gers was already staring at the few
words it contained. When they found
room to approach the two read the
dispatch.
"Guess I'll take u copy of that said
Marsh, proceeding to write the exact
words on one Of the company's blanks.
Now come to my room for just about
two minutes, Ovcrton. I've q very in
terestins little demonstration in phys
les to show YOU
In the cabin Marsh carefully exam
incd the dispatch and compared it with
another sheet Of paper that he drew
from his pocket. Then he looked at
Brill Nth Il cherubic smile of satisfac-
ton.
"Perhaps you'd like to know how 1
was able to pose as a prophet he said
amiably. Just compare these two
sheets Of paper. will you?'
"Compare WHAT" exclaimed the 9TH
CT. "Tllcre's nothing on this ore.'
"Oh, isn't there? And your eyes are
nearly IL quarter of Il century younger
than mine. Look ~cloSer.'
Holding the apparently blank sheet
under an electric light and close to his