The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1916-03-24
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1t was Alix that discovered Alan as
the Elenic steamed slowly down the
Solent. He was already comfortably
established in his chair with small
pile of fiction beside him.
She paused before she approached
him. Alan had always interested her.
| Alix had thought of him heretofore
as a modern exquisite subject to atavic
fits that, in times past, had led him
| into more than one barbarous esca-
pade. Now in London she had by chance
heard things of him that forced her to
reimbursement of her estimate. In six
months Alan had turned himself into
mystery.
WELL" she said, coming up behind
him, 'how are your"
Alan turned his head slowly and
then threw OFF his rugs and sprang
to his feet.
''The sky is clear" he said, where
did you drop from?' His eyes meas
ured her. She was ravishing in fur
toque and coat which had yet to re-
ceive their baptism of import duty.
"Oh," said Alix, my presence is
humdrum. Just the usual returning
from six weeks abroad. But you! You
come from the haunts of wild beasts
and from all accounts you have been
one"
Been one! From all accountsw ex-
claimed Alan, puzzled frown on his
face. "Just what do you mean?"
They started walking. 81 meant that
even in Africa one can't hide from Pic
cadilly. In Piccadllly you are already
known. Not as Mr.. Alan Wayne, a
New York social satellite, but as a
whirlwind in shirt sleeves. Ten Per-
cent Wayne, in short" She looked
at him with teasing archness. She
could see that he was worried.
Satellite is rather rough" remarked
Alan. 81 never was that"
Gall bachelors are satellites in the
nature of things-satellite to other
mems wives"
Have you vacancy?" said Alan.
They both knew they were embark
ing upon dangerous game, but Alix
played 1t often. No pretty woman
takes her European degree without
ample occasion for practice and Alix
had been through the European mill.
She threw out her daintily shod feet
as she walked She was full of life.
She felt like skipping. The light of
battle danced merrily in her eyes. She
made no other reply.
Il met lots of people we both know"
she said, at last.
Il Which one Of them passed on the
news that had taken to the ways Of
a wild beast?"
"Oh, that was the Honorable Percy
only caught few words. He was
telling about man known as Ten
Percent Wayne and the only time he'd
ever seen the shirt-sleeve policy work
with natives When l learned 1t was
Africa. | linked up with you at once
and screamed and he turned to me and
said, You know Mr.. Wayne? But
just then Lady Merle signaled the re-
treat. and when the men came out
somebody else snaffled Colllngeford be-
fore got chance"
"oh, Collingeford," said Alan. az
remember" He frowned and was ST.
lent.
Alan" said Allx after a moment.
"let me warn you. see new ten.
dency in you but before it goes
any further than a tendency let
me tell you that thoughtful
man is most awful bore. When
| caught sight of you thought, What
a delightful little party. but IL you're
going to be penslye there are others"
Alan glanced at her "Allx,y he
said, mimlcking her tone, II see in Won
the markings Of an altogether charming
woman. I'm not speaking OF the
painstaking veneer--I suppose won
need that in your walk OF lIfe-but
what's under IT. There may be others,
as you say. Pretty women have taken
to wearing men for bangles. But don't
you make mistake. I'm not ban.
gle. I've Just come from the unelothed
world OF real things. TO me man n
Just man and, what's more a woman
Is just woman"
How un-American." said Alix,
ITS more than that" said Alan
"it's pre- American"
Alix was thoughtful In her turn
Alan caught her by the arm ana turned
her toward the west. A yowl was iusI