The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1916-01-29
CHAPTER
lC&::3<Ez!E7z :

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
lows. Old members felt young when
they caught sight of him, as though
they had come suddenly on a vanished
landmark restored. Passing ga!nins
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 US he entered
the club and smiled.
GLOW 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 a
callow youth who had come up anG
was looking with speculative eye ut a
neighboring chair. The waiter retired
almost precipitously. The youth fol-
lowed.
I'm my time" remarked the captain,
"A club was for privacy. Now it's a
haven for bellboys and a playground
Tor whippersnappers."
They've made NE member. sir"
Have. eh!' growled the captain,
and glared at his nephew. Alan took
inspection coolly. faint smile on his
thin face. The captain turned away
his bullying eyes, crossed ard un-
crossed his legs. and finally spoke. Il
was just going to say when you inter-
rupted," he began, that engineering is
dirty job. Not, however" he con-
tinued. after a pause, "dirtier than
most. It's profession but not ca
reer."
"Oh. l don't know" said Alan.
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 new start.
whats your appointments
1T doesn't amount to an appoint
ment Just job as assistant to Wal
ton. thc engineer the contractors are
sending out. We're going to put up
bridge somewhere in Africa"
That's 1t. l knew it." said the cap
tain. Going away. Want any money p
The question came like solid shot
out Of four-pounder. Alan started,
colored and smiled, all at the same
time.
mo, thanks. SIR" he replied, "I've
lot all l need"
The captain hitched his chair for
ward, placed his hands on his knees,
leaned forward AID glared out on the
avenue. 1.-THE Lansings," he began,
like boy reciting a piece, "are devils
for drink, the Waynes for women.
Don't you ever let 'em worry you
about drink. Nowadays the doctors
call US nonalcoEolic. In my time it
was just plain strong heads FOR wine.
I say, don't worry about drink. There's
safety valve in every Wayne's gull
let.
But women, Alanv The captain
slued around his bullying 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 4
pleasing afterthought. He leaned back
In 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 .
Wayne to back a Wayne for good or
bad" There was a suspicion Of mois-
ture in his eye a. he hurried his guest