The Washington herald., 1920-11-22
An Q. Henry Story
"Next to Reading Matter"

know I have a front elevation like
an Aztec god that guards a buried
treasure that never did exist in JEFF
ferson County. Yucatan. But there
are compensations. For instance, I
am 1t in this country, as far as the
eye can reach. and then a few
perches and poles. And again says
l. when I engage people In a setto
or oral, vocal and laryngeal utter
ances. do not usually confine my
side of the argument to what may
be likened to a cheap photographic
duction of the rawlings of a jel-
lyfish.'
"'Oh. I know says Fergus, ami
able, that I'm not handy at small
talk. Or large, either. That's why
I'm telling you. / want you To help
me-
How can do itr I asked.
~ have subsidized says Fergus,
the services Of Senorita Anabele's
duenna. whose name is Francesca
You have a reputation In this coun-
try, Judson.' says Fergus, of being
, great man and a hero
II have says !. and I deserve It.
"'And l. says Fergus. am the
best-fooking man between the arc
tic circle and antarctic ice pack
with limitations says I. as to
physiognomy and geography, free
ly concede you to be-
Between the Swo of u.s. says
Fergus, we ought 10 land the SEN
/ orita Anabela Zamora- The lady, as
you know, is Of an old Spanish fam
( lily, and further than looking at her
driving in the family carruaje OF
afternoons around the plaza, or
I catching a glimpse of her through a
/ barred window of evenings, she is
as unapproachable as a star
Land her for which one of us?
says L
"For me, Of course says FERGUS.
! You've never seen her. Now, I've
had Francesca point me out to her
az being you on several occasions
When she sees me on the plaza, she
: thinks she's looking at Don Judson
Tate, the greatest hero. statesman,
and romantic figure in the country.
With your reputation and my looks
combined in one man, how can she
resist him? She's heard all about
your thrilling history, OF course.
And she's seen me. Can any wom-
an want moreT asks Fergus Nc
Mahan.
"'Can she do with less:' / ask.
How can we separate our mutual
attractions, and how shall VIC ap-
portion the proceeds
opening from the street In an an
gle of It is his daughters window
as dark a place as you could find.
! And what do you think he wants me
to do? Why. knowing my freedom.
charm land skilfulness OF tongue, he
pronoses that l go into the patio at
midnight, when the hobgoblin face
of me cannot be seen. and make love
to her for him-for the pretty man
I that she has seen on the plaza,
thinking him to be Don Judson
Tate.
why shouldn't I do it for him
for my friend. Fergus McMahan?
For him to ask me was a complt-
ment-an acknowledgment OF his
own Shortcomings.
"You little. lily white. fne-
haired, highly polished piece OF
dumb sculpture says /, I'll help
you. Make your arrangements and
get me in the dark outside her win
dow and my stream Of conversation
opened UP with the moonlight trem-
olo stop turned on, and she's yours
Keep your face hid. Jud,' says
Fergus. For heavens sake. keep
your face hid I'm a friend Of yours
lin all kinds of sentiment. but this
is business deal. II I could talk
wouldn't ask you. But seeing me
and listening to you don't see why
she can't be landed
by you,' says I.
BY, me- says Fergus.
well. Fergus and the duenna,
Francesca. attended to the details
And one night they fetched me
long black coat with a high collar
and led me to the house at midnight
] stood by the window in the patio
until I heard voice as soft and
sweet as an angels whisper on the
other side Of theeoars. ] could see
only faint, white clad shape In.
side: and. true to Fergus. pulled
the collar Of my cloak high up. fol-
IL was July In the wet season. ano
the nights were chilly. And. smoth'
ering a laugh as I thought of the
tonsue-tied Fergus, began to talk
"w4ll. sir, l talked an hour at the
Senorfta Anabeia. ] say at be.
cause It was not with Now and
then she would say: oh, senor.' OF
Now, Amt you foolin'?' or I know
| you don't mean that and such
things as women viii when they are
k&fnr rightly courte6 Both OF US