The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-08-06
Copyright BY Al Jennings, 1919

w AAN v s1NE hEH 80
I placed him in our own class. He
was secretive, but we did not attribute
the trait to any sinister cause. with
the romance Of the cowpuncher figured
that this fine, companionable fenew was
troubled with an unhappy Age aftAir
lodging issues, At the Hotel al re.
public fate turned the little trick that
compelled us to change our course.
I was sitting in the lobby waiting for
Frank and Porter. Something like a
clutch on my arm struck through my
listlessness. AZ was a breath-taking
F mamsnt 10 ioSa uD' pTTSss .n n gigantic !
hand reached down to me. Jumbo Rec,
tor. idol OF cadet days In Virginia, had
picked me TO my feet.
Meets College Pal.
Rector was six feet six. I reached
a bit above his elbow. We had been
the long and the short Of 1t in every
devilment pulled IN college II there
was one man on the earth was glad
to see at that moment II was this buoy
ant healthy hearted Samson.
Rector had built the lBthmian railroad,
He had a palace OF white stone and he
brought US bag and baggage to his
hacienda That night I told him the
things that had happened in the sixteen
, PHAN iilN Wp pdILtus r
Who is this friend Of yours, this
Blll?' he asked me later. "Are you sure
tive"
IT don't like your friend Rector" Por-
ten confided the same night. He has a
most unpleasant way Of s~crutinizing
Not many davs later both Porter and
I had proof Of Rector's worth. The an
tlpathy between the two was but super
fetal. There was to be a grand ball
at the hotel. All TIN notables, Poffirio
Diaz, the cabinet, the senoritas and the
dons were to be present. Rector had US
all invited. N
We went through preparations Is
elaborate as a debutantes. Rector
loaned us his tailor. and the three Of
US we're outfitted in faultless evening
attire. AS we were dressing l slipped
on the shoulder scabbard. Frank and
Rector tddiculed me.
Let him wear his side arms" Porter
tibed. There should be one gentleman
-Four Million" Saved.
IT guarantee you won't need them
tonight Rector promised.
] took them Off, but reluctantly. |
came back later and slipped the six
shooter into my trousers belt. That
p~recaution saved the -Four Million and
all her treasured successors for America.
Porter looked a prince that Night. Al
ways, fastidious about his person, the
full dress EXCHANGED his air OF distino-
tion. He was a figure to arrest atten-
ton in any gathering.
And he was In one Of his most In
consequent. bantertng moods. We stood
against the column commenting on the
dress OF the dons and the Americans.
The Spaniards!. In their silk stockings
ana the gay-colored sashes about their
slick-fttting suits, seemed to Porter TO
harmoniZe with The beauty and the
music Of the scene.
These people have poetry in their
makeup" he said. What an interest
ing spectacle they make"
As II to illustrate his words, the hand
soonest couple on the floor swung past,
II ever there was a flawtess Job turned
out by God II was that Spanish don,
There were a hundred years Of cul-
ture behind the charm In his manner;
the grace in his walk. He was SHINY
face Of chiseled perfdetion.
Hit" by Dancers Charm.
The don's partner was a girl of most
cxtraordlnary beauty-unusual and
compelling. Her red hair, her magniii.
cent blue eyes and her pearl-white skir
stood out, among so many dark faces
as something touched with an unnat.
ural radiance. She wore a Lavender
gown. She 4 the color and the witch
cry or a living opal. "
turned to call Bills attention. The
girl had noticed him. A AS she passed
she gave the faintest toss Of her heac
ana a smile that was more In the tai
Of her eye thar on her lip. with thu
Difference due TO q queen, Porter smiled
l a md NanAA q rAWNwAIxr 49,. FRkx l..
b%tiffened, but not a muscle Of his hand
some face twitched, knew that tn,
incident was not closed.
Bill, you're making a mistake. Your,
breeding trouble among these people,
| told him.
Colonel, I feel that that would en-
liven the occasion" The imperturbable
hushed tone gave no indication of tn,
reckless devilnent OF his mood. Forte
was as ful OF whirns as egg Is Of meat
Don Resents Strangers Bow
"sir, 3 that you are a strange
mere, q voice that was mellow as thlcl
cream addressed us. II was the dor
His smile would have been a warning
to any man but Bill Porter. you ar
not accustomed to U ways. I reEre
that have not the honor OF your nc
quaintance. Had I that honor ! shout
ita. Since / can not claim the PRIVILEGE
beg you to desist in your attention
to my Affianced."
The English was perfect. The do
bowed and walked ~leisurely off, HI
flow OF gentility won me. I could nc
help comparing him to the money
grabbing, flat.footed Doors that decor
ate an American ballroom, The Cas-
titan seemed to noteworthy OF respec
Porter was not impressed by his RI
lquests.
The grand march passed again. | d
fLot know what devilment possessed til
girl. II seemed to run like an electrt
current from her TO Porter. As Oh
stepped toward him she dropped hi
mantilla-so lightly, so deftly, that
old not ever arrest the attention
the don.
Mortal Breach Is Committed.
Porter stopped down, picked It u
held IL q OmNn and then ma aaad n