The state herald., 1915-02-19
eyes as though daxsled by agreat and
brilliant light.

brilliant light.
james glanced up sullenly. A youth
was coming through the trees. tall and
graceful and broad.shouldered. His
suit Of soft brown, his gently tipped
panama. his light shoes and silk socks
brought with them breath Of motor
cars and steam yachts, Of the smoker
in railway train. with white-clad.
attentive porter. instead of the brake
beam underneath and an irate station
master and furious conductor. From
the lapel Of his coat cleaned heavy
gold chain and in his stylish tie pin
of odd but costly workmanship caught
the eye OF the enraptured beholder.
Mike laid his hand on his heart
again, removed his hat, and standing
aside for the youth to pass, bowed
low.
me lud," said he in humble saluta-
ton.
James glanced up from his seat un.
der the outternut tree. He regarded
the vision of affluence before him a
moment In growing admiration and
awe. Then he removed his pipe and
spoke.
You'll get three years for this"
said he cheerfully. and put his pipe
back into his mouth.
The Watermelon drew himself up to
his full height. threw back his shoul.
ders and fastidiously adjusted his
cuffs. with their heavy gold links.
with every passing moment more
beautiful" murmured Mike.
James snorted.
"Well,' asked the Watermelon. who
gets the prize?"
me humble faculties" said Mike,
with one wary eye on James. me
humble faculties are incapable OF rem
dering true and accurate judgment In
the present case where two such rare
specimens of manly beauty compete in
my honored and deeply grateful pres
ence."
The Watermelon laughed and ran
his hand over his smooth chin and
hairless cheeks with gesture OF gen.
tie pride. James said II I could not
get a suit, would be counted down
and out. l." and he drew himself up.
Il do not have to take advantage OF
mere technically. l scorn to win
by default"
True nobility" said Mike. "is in
them words"
"Aw, cut the gas!" growled James.
''Where'd you get the blooming out
fit"
Il win. do ~" persisted the Water
melon.
Mikes the judge" returned James.
losing interest in what was too obvi.
ously one-sided contest.
Mike glanced thoughtfully from one
10 the other and decided that danger
lay in either choice. Neither OF you."
said he slowly ard wisely. win. For
unexcelled art in raiment, me young
friend here might be said to be the
only competitor. For rare physical
beauty and winning charm In looks.
unaided by mere eNternals. me friend
and fellow-citizen. James. gets the Just
reward. and for pure. manly beauty
OF the soul, truth. which l always fol.
low. compels me to give the prize to
me humble self"
"Aw.' growled James. this amt no
show. We will have another"
The Watermelon hitched up his
trousers and chose clean seat on a
fallen log. when coat and trousers
legs were adjusted so rs best to keep
their faultless creases, he spoke with
the bored accents OF the weary scion
OF great wealth.
I'm starting for n motor tour with
some OF me friends" said he.
81" said Mike. have always felt for
you as for n dear and only son."
"Gwan." said James imperiously.
Where did you get the glad rags!"
The Watermelon told them briefly
how from n nameless hobo n few short
hours before. he had become a famous
young financier. hobnobbing with gen.
erals and millionaires. He chuckled
as he told II with the halfcynicai
amusement OF the philosopher for the
follies OF the poor. seething. hurrying,
struggling crowd OF humanity, too
busy In their rush for gold and social
poni'ioh W noo N"'h Wv" ihusnnpic
Iitifui shnms and affectntionH.
ME father. believe. is n police
man." said he. "Me mother n wash.
woman. II ! had grandfather. no
one knows. I'm fortunate to have q
father and no questions asked. yet Just
because can write me check. as they
think. for n million and have II hon.
orcd. I'm my boy to the elite OF tho
land. the best people Gosh It's
enough to make nm ass bray"
1T In that" said Mike. For me,
only the intrinsic worth OF the soul
Maybe there was n bit OF change In
the pockcts7" he added ar an after.
thought
GRO RE CONTINUED