The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1917-02-24
manuel ironically, 81 wouldn't IKE 70
see YOU in Maximius' clothes"

manuel ironically, Il WOULDN'T uke ~
see you in Maximius' clothes"
"Why not?" inquired OFarreH.
Because, my dear fellow, for al
your fine physique, you couldn't begin
to compare with the old Roman nero
in development. And as to wearing
the kind of armor that he wore-lke
that old antique suit in the corner OF
the gallery, for instance-why, you
would faint under the weight"
I'll take you up there, doctor" said
O,Farrell, laughing. "Those chaps
hadn't the development of our folks
Why, there are 20 men I could name
and not athletes either, who could
wear old Max's armor-yes, and fight
all day in it, too"
You'll have to show me-" said Tar
rant, deftly taking his cue. "Ill wager
you a box of cigars you can't put on
that armor apd stand up in it."
Hold, there!" cried Doctor I'm.
manuel. THAT isn't enough. Anyone
could stand up in it. if somebody put it
on his shoulders. Wager him that he
can't put it on and run upstairs to the
drawing room"
saw Tarrant vince slightly.
Cali right" the captain answered.
''Is that agreed, Tarrant? A box Of
fifty? Come, then lead the way into
your gallery" So we went in.
The resemblance was really an as
tonishing one. 1t struck us all, even
OFarrell. The statue was life-size,
and its measurements were those of
the captain to a line. The face was
the same, too, and the hair fell for
ward over the temple in the same way.
When O'Farrell Invested himself of his
coat and waistcoat, preparatory to put
ting on the armor, the muscles on his
great arm might have served as the
original from which the statue was
cast.
Emmanuel" said the captain, I'm
half converted" And he spoke seri-
ously. Tell me something about this
chap beside me. He was a soldier
too"
"A good soldier and fine man." an
swered the doctor. But a little indis-
Greet"
Then he must have been me-"
roared O'Farrell, ''for I'm all that and
more"
The suit of armor was of Byzantine
workmanship, apparently dating from
the eighth century. Nevertheless, it
was not markedly different from that
worn by the Roman officers of earlier
days. When we had placed the breast
piece upon the captain, and the helmet
on his head, and the arm and thigh
pieces about him, and strapped on his
sword. he might have been an ancient
warrior come to life.
How does it feel? Heavy" asked
Doctor Emmanuel.
mot at ALL" said O'Farrell. Light
as thistledown." And though he was
a little flushed in the face, his breath
ing was easy as ever. Nov, open the
door, please. Do start for the draw
ing room?"
He looked at the doctor, but Tarrant
him.
"All ready" he said. Remember,
you've got to run. Open the door,
walk around the room, and then come
back. Ready? Stop! For heavens
sake stop! Man, man, are you going
to play the ancient Roman with
cigar between your lps?"
O'Farrell raised his heavily armored
arm and plucked the perfecto from his
"Now then! Col" said Paul Tar
rant, and, at the word, the captain, like
! disabled steam engine, leaped
through the door and hoped up the
stairs, rafting and Gathering till the
house shook and resounded. We
him turn the bend of the
stairs and approach the drawing room.
Then the door opened and three fright
,ned women stood upon the threshold. !
saw Mary Rothway's white, startled
ace; saw O'Farrell stop dead. Then,
With faint cry, Mary tottered toward
lin and collapsed in his arms, swoon-
ng.
Doctor Emmanuel brushed past me
Upstairs. At the bend he turned and |
,ointed sternly toward the library.
Carrant and I went down.
Five minutes later Mrs. Tarrant
anne in. She said nothing, but went |
Itraight up to hershusband, flung her
Irms around his heck and Rugged him.
They're No happy AZ any people can
'ver expect to be-" she answered.
Paul, what In the world made you
,lay that fantastic trick ON usr'
You'll have to ask Doctor Imman-
lel." answered the millionaire. "He |
ays it's reincarnation; say it's Just |
human nature. But tell me how It |
anne about?"
why. it just-happened," answered
drs. Tarrant. "Mervyn came clatter.
ng up in that absurd armor, and Mary
ust looked at him and fell into his
rms, swooning. And when she recov-
red--why, they kissed each other in a
Sha rr o1ooc vuo--o,p l