Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-08-15


broad leaves and splendid pink bios
SONS of IN Egyptian lotus. Certainly
II WAS no far-fetched allusion of my
classical friend to speak of the gar
den of Alcinous; particularly connect
ed as II was In my mind with the white
beach of desert isle, and that marble
statue In the moonlight.
AS | sat dreaming, bathed In the
golden.green light Of the grange trees,
and Iulled by the tinkling of the foun-
tain, my host returned with our drinks.
his learned disQuisition on which |
will spare the reader, highly interest
Ing and characteristic though II was
Suffice 1t that it was n drink, what
ever It's ingredicnts--and there was
certainly somewhere powerful
"stick" in it--that seemed to have
been drawn from some cool grotto of
the virgin earth. SO thrillingly cold
and invlgorating ii was.
While we were slowly slipping II, and
smoking our cigarettes. in I'm unWont-
ed pause OF my friends fanciful YER
boslty, | almost jumped in my chair at
the sound Of voice indoors. 1t was
instantly followed by n light and rapid
tread, and the sound OF n Woman's
dress. Then tall, beautiful young
woman emerged on the loggia.
"Ah there you are!" cried my host
as we both rose; and then turning TO
me this Is my Observation-Disclosures
Her rcn name | assure you-nonc Of
my nonscnse--docsn't she look it? Al
low me, my dear, to introducc-Mr
Ulysses for we had not yet OK
changed each others names.
I am Il wretched actor, and | am
bound to say that she proved herself
no better. For she gave Il decided
start as she turned those glowing eyes
on me, and the lovely olive of her
cheeks glowed as with submerged rose
color. Our embarrassment did not es-
cape the father.
"Why. you know each other al
ready" he exclaimed, with natural
surprie =.
the sudden nerve with which | was
able to hasten TO the relief of her love
~ distress-''but possibly MisS-~tn-
lypso recalls as naturally as | do, our
momcntary meeting in SWccncy's
store, one evening. | had no cXpecta-
ton of course. that we should meet
again under such pleasant circun-
stances as this"
She gave me a grateful look rs she
took my hand, and with it-or was it
only my eager imagination IA shy lit
tie pressure, again as of gratitude.
had tried to get into my voice my
assurance that, of course. I remcm-
bered no other more recent meeting,
though, naturally, rs she had given
that little start in the doorway, there
had flashed on me again the picture
of her standing, mOonlit, in another
resounding doorway, and of the wild
start she had given then, as the golden
pieces streamed from her lovely sur.
prised mouth, and her lifted hands.
And her cycs---I could have sworn
were the living eyes OF Jack Hnrka-
way! Had she brother, l wondered.
Yet my mind was too dazzled and con-
fused with her nearness to pursue the
speculation.
AS we sat down to luncheon. waited
upon by the little bnrlcgged black chill
dren--waitcd on, too, surprisingly
well. despite the contortions of their
primitive embarrn ssment--my host
once more resumed his character of
the classic king welcoming the STORM
tossed stranger to his board.
''Far wandcrer," he said. raising his
glass to me, "cat of what our board
affords, welcome without question of
name and nation. But If, when the
food and wine have done their genial
office, and the WEAKNESS of your jour
ncylng has fallen from you, you should
feel stirred to tell us somewhat Of
yourself and your wnnderngs, what
manner of men call you kinSman. in
what fair land is your home and the
place of your loved ones, be sure that
we shall count the tale good hearing,
and, FOR onr part, make exchange in
Hike fashion Of ourselves ANA the pass
age of our days In this lonely isle"
We all laughed as he cndcd-himsclf
with n whinny of laughter. For, odd
as such discourse may SOUND In the
reading, it was uttered so enthusiastically,
and in so spirited and humorous a
style that assure you it was very
captivating.
"You should have been an actor, my
lord Alcinous,' | said, laughing. |
seemed already curCrlSly mt home,
seated there at that table with this
fantastic stranger and that being out
Of fairyland toward whom | dared only
turn my eyes now and again by
stealth. The strange fellow had such
n way with him, and his talk made you
feel that he had known you all your
life. $780,.
GRO BE CONTlNtEDD