Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-01-27
CHAPTER III.

According to the railway schedule,
the journey from New York should
have taken about six hours; as a mat
ter OF fact, It took seven. and yet to
HiIliard, who hadn't once left the OBJ
servation platform. II was accom-
plished with the speed of a projectile.
The dramatic value of his purpose had
seized him, and partly on this account,
and partly because he was going home,
he was temporarily relieved OF percep-
tive Judgment. whether Of time, space,
or attendant circumstances
"Now, whatever else you do, son,"
Harmon had adjured him, stick to
the story! First. last, and always
you stick TO the storyl It's your own
business, In a way; and in another
way. it's my business; but you keep
your head clear and don't let anybody
shake you on the facts, and were both
all right. OF course, you're starting
out by lying-but it's a good lie.
You're Justified. As fairs the rest OF
the worlds concerned, you're new
man. You're just born Well, you've
got perfect right to be whatever you
want TO be. Nobody can prove you
aren't what yon say you are, Just
rem ember these three things: One,
capitalize your experience. and I'LL EN-
full Of war-talk-they'l love it; two,
capitalize your position, and stick to
your story-they'll swallow 1t whole,
1rnp m nf
three, capitalize your face, and smile,
man. smilew Here he had planted
his hand between billiards shoulder
blades with thump which was meant
TO be fraternal and heartening. "And
wen both make good until the cows
come home-and l think / hear 'em
coming. Don't forget-they can't stop
you. It's your second shot at life, and
you've got the cards stacked the way
you want EN-"
THE only thing" billiard had said,
"is the the story"
"D-n 1t, billiard. what's the mat
ter with you? Aren't you justified"
"Y-e-e-s. but 80 much OF IT sounds
| unnecessary to me-every now and
then. l wish we could have thought
| up something else, that's ALL
"Well, did wef"
"No but"
"Then don't be rank gutter! It
| was your own idea; and say it's
darned clever; stand up to 1t. You
will. won't your
"Oh, IN do that, Mr. Harmon. I've
got to-"
Yes. you've got to. And Just keep
smiling, son: that's all. That's what
I hired you for-start on smiling. and
the battles half won aiready. i.
That's 1t! Keep your nerve, son
| Good-by" And here he had
staggered billiard by another friendly
buffet between the shoulder blades,
and swung him cordially into the run.
way, and disappeared.
| On the observation platform, Hill
Hard had ensconced himself behind a
| newspaper and q cigar and tried to
hold his emotions and his Imagination
in check. His purpose, now that It was
crystallized. brought him no aftermath
Of shame for what he was about to dc
he was conscience-stricken only In
respect to what he had done already
long ago; and his nervousness was due
merely to his fear that be might fail
in his purpose.
After all. what was there to dis
courage him? He had worked out g
system of campaign as clear, as defin'
tie, and as inexorable as any field
marshal could ever hope to devise
and perfect. He was simply bringing
home one vital principle OF trench
fghting-to rely on indirect FIRE. THAI
was ito fight! To fight for reputa
ton lost and to defend his new advan
tage gained. The end would ampi!
justify the means; or II the end b,
any chance proved to be disastrous
why, there was another principle b,
must remember--no quarter given Of
asked for.
"Ill teach EN-" he said unsmIlingl,
to the blurred landscape. I'm show
'ein whether I can make good or not
Time! Time That's all want
time"
At the depot, among the private
cars and taxicabs motor omnibu
bore on It's side the name of the new
est hotel, which was his immediat
objective; but for reasons which h
couldn't have explained, he avoided II
and siEnaled to taxi. As the ca
came to a standstill at the motor en-
trance to the hotel. he managed b
great exercise Of w1u-power TO maiz
tain his mood Of arrogant tongues
and 1t was imperative for him 10 mali
tain II, inasmuch IS his hrst ordsi
was - soon 10 come. More tAan ths
he had m ancient grndge against TIL
hostsisg. Tor i had succseAvsay q!