The Glenwood post., 1916-03-18

AE 4E1
To the surprise of his friends Alan
Wayne gave up debauch and found
himself employment by the time the
spring that saw his dismissal from
Maple house had ripened into sum-
mer. He was full of preparation for
his departure for Africa when a sum-
mons from old Captain Wayne reached
him.
With equal horror of putting up at
hotels or relatives houses, the captain
upon his arrival in town had gone
straight to his club and forthwith be-
come the sensation Of the clubs win
,dows. Old members felt young when
they caught sight Of him, as though
they had come suddenly on vanished
landmark restored. Passing gamins
gazed on his short-cropped hair, star
ing eyes, flaring collar, black string
tie and flowing broadcloth. and re-
marked. Gee, look at de old spoit in
de winder"
Alan heard the remark as he entered
the club and smiled
"How do you do. sir2"
"Huh!" grunted the captain. "Sit
down." He ordered drink for his
guest and another for himself. He
glared at the waiter. He glared at
,callow youth who had come up and
was looking with speculative eye at
neighboring chair. The waiter retired
almost precipitously. The youth fol-
lowed.
"1n my time" remarked the captain,
"a club was for privacy. Now it's a
jhaven for beIlboys and a playground
for whippersnappers."
They've made me member, sir"
"Have, chr growled the captain,
,and glared at his nephew. Alan took
inspection coolly, faint smile on his
thin face. The captain turned away
his bulging eyes. crossed and un-
crossed his legs, and finally spoke. 81
was just going to say when you inter
,rupted," he began, that engineering is
a dirty job. Not, however" he con-
tinued, after a pause, ''dirtier than
most. It's profession but not ca
reer."
vi. aoh hhoW, aioh
They've got few. in the army, and
they seem to be doing pretty WELL"
Huh. the army!'' said the captain
He subsidized. and made a new start
whats your appointments"
ut doesn't amount to an appoint
ment. Just job as assistant to Wal
ton, the engineer the contractors are
sending out. We're going to put W
bridge somewhere in Africa"
That's it knew it." said the cap
tain. "Going away. Want any money!
The question came like solid sho
out of a four-ponnder. Alan started
cteored and smiled, all at the sam,
time
''No. thanks. SIR" he replied, "I've
got all need"
The captain hitched his chair for
ward, placed his hands on his knees,
leaned forward and glared out on the
Iavenue. "The Lansings," he began,
like boy reciting piece, "are devils
for drink. the Waynes for women.
Don't you ever let 'em worry you
about drink. Nowadays the doctors
,call us nOnalcohollc. In my time 1t
was just plain strong heads for wine
I say. don't worry about drink. There's
IA safety valve in every Wayne's gull
let
! But women. Alanw The captain
;slued around his bulging eyes. You
look out for them. AS your great
grandfather used to say, To women,
'only perishable goods-sweets. flowers
and kisses And You take It from me,
kisses aren't always the cheapest.
They say God made everything-down
to little apples and Jersey lightning.
But when he made women the devil
helped" The captains nervousness
dropped from his as he deliberately
drew out his watch and fob. "Good-
thing he did, too," he added, as a
pleasing afterthought He leaned back
I'm his chair A complacent look came
over his face.
Alan got up to say good-by. The
captain arose, too, and clasped the hand
Alan held out. zone more thing" he
said. Don't forget there's always a
Wayne to back Wayne for good or
bad" There was suspicion OF mois-
'ture in his eye as he hurried his guest
Ioff
Back in his room. Alan found letters
awaiting him. He read them and tore
them up-all but one. It was from
Glen. She wrote:
[ Dear Alan: Nance says you arc going
very far away. I am sorry. It has been
raining here very much. In the hollows
all the bridges are under water. havo
tnvented new game. II u called '.staam-
down into ths vuiisy ana I maize Mn g
through the waesr afoud4 tie bs5Aeoo.
iHs 1a@s jyst nke stee9sees 80 Xhsn