Crossville chronicle. [volume] (Crossville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1915-03-31

an idle question flung at him. like q
bare bone to a dog. II flung by an
Englishman. he answered II courte-
ously, and subsidized He had been
snubbed too many times not to have
learned this lesson. II never entered
his head that the introduction might
have been brought about by the girls
interest. He was too MORALLY shy OF
women to conceive of such POSSIBLE
ity. So his gratitude was extended to
the purser, who, on his side, regretted
his good-natured recommendations OF
the previous hour.
When Elsa learned that the man at
her side was to proceed to Rangoon'
she ceased to ask him any more ques-
tons She preferred to read her
books slowly. Once, while he was en-
gaging the purser, her glance ran
over his clothes. She Instantly berated
her impulsive criticism as a bit OF
downright caddishness The lapels of
the coat were shiny; the winged col
lar gave evidence of having gone to
the native laundry once too often, and
the cuff buttons were OF ordinary rupee
silver. The ensemble suggested that
since the purchase OF these habili-
ments of civilization the man had
grown, expanded.
Immediately after dinner she retired
to her stateroom, conscious that her
balance needed readjusting. She had
heard and read much lore concerning
reincarnation, skeptically; yet here.
within call of her voice, was Arthur.
| not the shadow of substance, but
Arthur, shorn of his elegance. his soft.
lazy voice, his half-dreaming eyes, his
charming Incidence. Why should this
millions that ran parallel?
She opened her window and looked
up at the stars again. She wondered
what this man had done to put him
beyond the pale. 1t was not possible
that dishonor lurked behind those
frank blue eyes. She turned from the
window and threw open one Of her
kit-bags, delved among the soft fab
RIGS and silks and produced a photo
graph. She had not glanced at it dur
ing all these weeks. There had been
a purpose back of this apparent neg
lect. The very thing she dreaded hap
pened. Her pulse beat on, evenly. un-
stirred She was a failure.
In the photograph the mans beard
was trimmed Valois; the beard of the
man who had sat next to her at dinner
had grown freely and naturally. full.
Such a beard was out of fashion, save
among country doctors, 1t signified
carelessness, Indifference, or full life
wherein the niceties of the razor had
of necessity been ignored. Keenly
she searched the familiar likeness.
What an amazing freak of nature! 1t
was unreal. She tossed the photo.
graph back into the kit-bag, bewil-
dered. uneasy.
Meantime Warrington followed the
purser into his Office. Il haven't paid
for my stateroom yet" he said.
'Ill make it out at once. Rangoon,
understand
yes But I'm in a difficulty. have
nothing in change but two rupees"
The purser froze visibly. The tale
was trite in his ears.
But fancy I've rather good securi-
ty to Offer" went on Warrington COOL
ly. He drew from his wallet a folded
slip of paper and spread 1t out.
The purser stared at it, enchanted
Warrington stared down at the purser,
equally enchanted.
by Jove!" the former gasped final.
ly. And so you're the chap who's
been holding up the oil syndicate all
these months! And you're the chap
who made them come to this bally
landing three days ago?"
1t was altogether new purser who
looked up. Twenty thousand pounds
about, and only two rupees in your
pocket! Well, well; it takes the
East to bowl man over like this. A
certified check on the Bank of Burma
needs no further recommendation. In
the words of your countrymen, 60 as
far as you like. You can pay me in
Rangoon. Your boy takes deck pas.
sage?"
"Yes." returning the check to the
wallet.
"Now, sit down and spin the yarn.
1t must be jolly interesting"
"Tll admit that it has been a tough
struggle; but l knew that had the
oil. Been fiat broke for months Had
to borrow my boys savings for food
and shelter. Well, this is the way 1t
runs" Warrington told it simply. as
If 1t were a great joke.
"Rippin'! BY Jove, you Americans
are hard customers to put over. | sup
pose you'll be setting out for the
States at once?" with curious glance
Il haven't made any plans yet" eye
ing the .cheroot thoughtfnlly.
Il see." The purser nodded. 1t was