The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1916-09-15

paper tuOuSHt tHey uetucu Cuduge
In their London news, and l knew /
needed one, so l came over"
ut must be very interesting work."
Ethel Willoughby observed. She was
more than interested in Guys quaint
friend. His sort was new to her. And
though his breeziness might not have
been considered quite good form I'm an
Englishman, it was a quality which
the British find both refreshing and
entertaining in an American.
1T Is interesting" Charlie Brown
told her. But you sound as If you
were going to interview me; and for
the love OF Mlke-don'tr'
"Who Is Mike?' Sir George inquired
innocently, in his endeavor to grasp
the intricacles OF Mr.. Browns CONVEX
sation.
"Oh, he's an Irishman we Americans
swear by" the newspaper man replied.
Fancy that! How odd!" Mrs. Fal.
coner exclaimed. She did not know
that Mr.. Brown was-spOofing-now
"Since you're newspaper man you
must know everything" said Georgy
Wagstaff. She quite fancied the
stranger; and she wanted to know
him better.
''Well. at least l try to convince my
editor of that" he replied.
Then tell us about the war! We're
very ignorant. We only read the head
lines" she said. Father won't talk
It'd be breach of-something or
other"
DO tell us your opinion. Mr.. Brown
Ethel urged. Were all SO very in
terested."
Il suppose l can talk where Sir
George cant-and l do love to talk"
Brown admitted No one knew his
pet failing any better than himself
silent CharIie-that's what they
cali him." Guy informed the others de-
llghtedy.
you don't mind Sir Gcorge?" The
American turned inQuiringly to Sir
George Wagstaff.
Naturally notw the older man as
scented good-naturedly. ''As you said,
this is only private tea party"
"Then please do!' Georgy insisted.
"If you don't, Guy will!' She dearly
loved to rag her devoted admirer.
Away Brown detained in mock
satisfaction at being able to scatter
his opinions broadcast. "Well, I'll tell
you. While most of you Londoners
have been wondering whether the
Irish are going to start civil war, or
whether Gunboat Smith did foul Car
pentier, I've been digging up some in
side dope, and, believe me, there's GO
ing to be merry old bust-up. Rus
sla, know, is mobilizing; and so is
Germany"
"But can Russia, with her internal
conditions, afford to fight?' Streetman
asked him.
Il don't know whether she can af-
ford to or not" Charlie Brown said.
But I believe she is going to-"
II take 1t you are not particularly
| Informed on Russia" Streetman re-
torted, somewhat acidly.
"Oh, yes / am" the undaunted Yam
kee replied. Il know it's awfully cold
there, and that they drink vodka, and
oners to Siberia, and apart from that
I'm pretty darned sure Russia's going
to fight" Words habitually flowed
from Charlie Browns mouth without
the slightest effort 1t is so with
bores. But Mr.. Brown was far from
being a bore What saved him was
the fact that he always said something
we'll worth listening to.
Guy Falconer did not allow the con-
versation to interrupt his ministry to
the inner man. He stepped up to Eth
els table and took sandwich off
plate. But before he RECALLED himself
with it he paused long enough to say:
You know. l think Charles right"
go on, Mr. Brown" Georgy said.
inpatient at the interruption.
Don't you think Germany can de-
feat both France and Russia?" Street
man demanded.
"Maybe-maybew Charlie Brown
said. But with England on their
side"
Strcetman did not wait for him to
finish
England, with civil war In Ulster
on her hands, wouldn't dare" he be-
gan heatedly.
And then Mr.. Brown Interrupted
him. He had not the slightest inten-
ton of being browbeaten by anybody
And there was a vague antagonism in
Streetman's manner toward him that
reused him nightly.
civil war; he exclaimed. "Why,
if England has scrap with Germany,
that Ulster trouble will stop i'm ten
minutes: and every Irishman that goes
to the front will lick three Germans
maybe four. I've seen the Irish
mix things up in New York"
Streetman subsidized, for the moment,
| beneath that avalanche OF words.
and you think Germany is quite
| prepared TO face those odds?" Ethel
| Willoughby asked the American.
Not Intentionally" he replied. "The
Germans have got everything down so
1 AI...