The Washington times., 1919-04-19
Dark Star =
By ROBERT W. CHAMBERS
Neeland Starts for Rue's Old Home
to Get the Box Containing the
Secret Papers.

IN my business some unusual or
ders have come through-from
abroad. Both France and Ger
many have been making Inquiries
through agents in regard 10 ship
ments OF grain and feed and lum-
Der. I've heard OF several very
heavy rush orders"
What on earth could cause
warn
"T can't see. Jim. or course, Aus
tria's attitude toward Serbia Is
very sullen. But outside OF that I
can see no trouble threatening.
And yet the Gayfield Wooden
Mill has just received an enormous
order for socks and underwear
from the French government
They're running all night now.
And another thing struck me:
There has been a man in this sec
tion buying horses for the British
government or course, it's done
now and then. but. taking this In
cident with the others which have
come to my personal knowledge, il
would seem as though something
was brewing over in Europe"
Jim's perplexed eyes rested on
his father; he shook his youthful
head slightly:
sympathy With Frahee.
Il can't see why he said. "But
II it's to be France and Germany
again. why my sympathy Is en-
tireIy for France"
Naturally" nodded his father.
Their Irish ancestors had fought
for BoRaparte. and for the Bour-
hnna hnFlH@
cousins. like all Irish. they were
aware OF plenty OF NeeIands in
France who spoke no English
Jim rose, glanced at his watch:
Dad. I'll just be running over to
BrOOkhOIlOw TO get that box. I
haven't such a lot OF time. IL I'm
TO catch the midnight train at
Orangeville."
Il should say you hadn't" said
his father.
He was disappointed. but he
smiled as he exchanged a hand
clasp with his only son.
You're coming right back from
Paris?''
Next steamer. I've a Tot OF
work on hand, thank goodness,
But that only puts me under heav-
Ter obligations TO the Princess
Mistchenka"
Yes. I suppose so. Anything bat
ingratitude, Jim. Its the vilest
vice Of 'em all They say it's in
the Irish bloOd-ingratitude. They
must never prove it by a Neeland
Wen, my bOy-Tm not lonesome.
you understand: busy men have no
time to be lonesome-but run up,
viii you, when you get backg'
You bet I will"
I'll show you a brace OF pFomiS
ing pups. They stand rabbits, still.
but they won't when the season 10
over -
Blue Birds pups?'
Yes. They take after her.
Fine! III be back for the shoot
ing, anyway. Many brOods this
season 20
"A fair number. 1t was not too
wet"
For a moment they fingered.
smiling at each other, then Jim
gave his fathers hand a quick
shake. picked up his suitcase,
III take the runabout. dad.
Someone from the OrangevilIe gar
age will bring it over in the morn
ing"
He went out. pushed his way
among the leaping dogs to the
garage, threw open the doors, and
turned on the electric light.
y slim and trim Snapper run
about stood clustering beside a
larger car and two automobile
trucks. He exchanged his straw
hat for a cap; placed hat and suit
case IN the boot: picked up a fash
light from the work table, and put
II into his pocket, cranked the
snapper, jumped in. ran IL to the
service entrance, where his father
stood ready to check the dogs and
close the gates after him.
Goodbye, dad" he called ont
gaily
Goodbye, my SON."
The next instant he was speeding
through the starry darkness, fol-
lowing the dazzling path bIazed
out for him by his headlights.