Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1919-06-07
CHAPTER XIV.

David Smith Delaine, chauffeur, was
awaiting in front OF the Fifth avenue
florists for the daughter of his en-
ployer. She and Mrs. Duffield had
, gone into the shop to give an order.
1t was late October, and the day
was as mild as Summer. The avenue
was crowded with automobiles; the
sidewalks were thronged With pedes-
trians. Among these was a plenti-
sprinkling of men in khaki and blue.
Standing at the side of his car,
David felt a frequent impulse to bring
his hand up to salute as an officer
strobe past him with a glance in his
direction. 1t was not easy 20 "c:nem-
Der that he was now a civilian and
no longer in the service of his coun-
try. Nor was it an agreeable rcfec-
| ton.
He had supposed that when he laid
! aside his uniform he would become
an object of no interest 10 the casual
! ohserver-in other words. that bis
exterior would be so commonplace as
| to attract no attention.
Bpt in this fancy he had reckoned
| without two factors. One of these
was his own striking personality.
a tall man. adshouldefed and
| with clean-cut features is not such
common sight as to be passed an
noticed. Moreover, DeLaine had he
subtle quality known as "style"-a
quality enhanced by his well-fittng
and handsome livery. The other
factor that drew attention TO him
was that at tnis period most we'll
built. able men between :wenty and
thirty were in the service.
A healthy, unmarried man in mufti
was not to be envied. All too often
hn 10 aY.1y Il h.
How does it happen that chap is not
in uniform?"
Plenty to Think About
All these things David mused upon
while he waited IN the warm Indian
Summer sunshine. So absorbed was
he in his rather gloomy reflections
that Walter Jefferson and a man
with whom he was waikiki; had ell
most reached rim before David was
aware of their presence. Then *
was too late for MIN to turn away
Jefferson paused to make some re-
mark TO his companion before adj
dressing De Lame mad wha- he con-
sidorel an inSpii alton. If he could
avoid betraying by his speech that
he w;S from :hu South. he might
Keep JCifersol's t,tin of tn ju,ht
f:om running to the place whe"c
the men had fl-st met-BIltim5ra.
DaviC was rather vain of h;s oo,lity
u talk like an Eishman. He had
spuken with a hrogue often to
amuse people. Now he must do so
in self protection.
"Ah-good afternoon" jefferson
said as his friend left him and went
on his way ,downtown-"you are Mr..
Leighton's chauffeur, 1 believe"
David touched his hat politely.
"I am, Sir
He rolled his final "r' in true Irish
fashion. Jefferson looked at him
keenly.
Do you know may be mistaken
but l think we have run across
each other before? That is why 1
stopped now to speak to you"
sur, sire an VI have. 1; was over
by Carnegie Hall some evenin's
past"
The brogue ana intonatlons were
excellent. The second syllable of the
name Carnegie" was emphasized
strongly
II mean," Jefferson began, that |
thought l had seen you before then.
l did not know that you were Irish"
But He Didn't RetOrt
AN who told you L WAS Irish,
sir?" David grinned innocently.
Jefferson laughed, but not quite
naturally. We'll, your speech would
lead one to fancy so, my man." he re-
piled good-naturedly. But on the
night to which you refer you wore
an army overcoat."
Il did that, sir, had not my livery
thin"
But how did it happen that YOU
wore an army coat?"
Sure" with another grin, ct got
1t off'n a foine gintleman sir"
Jefferson raised his brows skcptl
cally. "A. strange thing for a fine
gentleman to give away" he re-
marked.
David longed to retort, IF you can
find a finer gentleman than Uncle |
Sam, show him to mel" But he ap-
preciated that this was no time 10 |
yield to reckless impulse, for. Jeff
erson was staring at him still At
last he shook hi head
II almost can place you some
where. yet l can't recall just where" /
he muttered.
David heard the sentence.
Il thank you Sir, but like me
prisint place very well. I'll not be
thinkin' of changin'."
"Of course not! That was not
what l meant" jefferson said hasti-
ly.
Then, as Desiree and her aunt ap.
peared in the door of the norist'g
shop, he lifted his hat AMI hurried
forward to greet them.
II have just been having a little
talk with your good-looking chauf-
feur." he remarked to Desiree.
quite remarkable figure that chap
has. and he carries himself almost
too well to occupV such a nositio,, o.,
he now holds. He ought 10 be IN the
service. | suppose the fact that he
is Irish has kept him from ellisting.
But how did he escape the draft?
"Irish?" Mrs. Duffield echoed.
why. 1 did not know he was Irish"
Jefferson smiled Then you never
heard him speak, dear lady," he said