Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-11-09
The
Substitute
| Millionaire
By
HUBERT FOOTNER
HUBERT FOOTNER

Going aboard, Jack was astortished
at the great spread OF her decks; al
most room enough to drive his car
around her: and still more at the size
and number of her cabins. Outside,
the designers effort had been to
make the Columbian as shipshape as
possible. but below decks he had
aimed to make her passengers for
get they were at sea.
On the main deck there was Il long
suite of lofty rooms; grand saloon,
Overhead forward was the dining
saloon, and sun parlor aft. All
these rooms had open firerlaces
windows. and other comforts not
generally associated with the sea.
The furnishings We're beautiful with
out being too ostentatious. The sleep
ing cabins Were marvels of spacious-
ness and luxury.
Jack did not hesitate moment
about her. His one regret was that
he could not go on the first projected
cruise. The fact that the mere sign
ing of his name put him in possess
sion of this wonderful vessel gave
him fuller realization of the power
of his wealth than he had yet ex-
perienced.
He learned that the Columbian
would finish coaling during the afs
ternoon. He arranged to have her
continue to lie where she was until
nine o'clock that night. Thus he
could get his party abpard In this
out the-way spot after darkness
had fallen. The Columbian was then
to drop down stream to an anchorage
In the bay, and proceed to sen next
morning. Her captain was instruct
ed to see to the necessary clearance
papers.
Jack repeated his story OF Mr..
Norman's illness to the captain. The
suggestion was that the millionaire,s
mind was slightly affected, and they
might be prepared for vagaries. The
itinerary of the cruise was to include
Charleston, Jacksonville. Nassau and
Havana
All arrangements having been
completed. Jack returned to the Mad ;
Cured in his absence. Miriam had
come as he expected, no doubt with
every intention of making a scene;
but his rtise to confront her with
Connolly had worked effectuaIly. She
had departed quicker than she came
Upstairs Mrs. Regain reported all
well. Finding his nurse proof
against the most fearful and passion
ate appeals. Bobo had resigned him
self to his lot. Indeed, who shall say
but that he was not secretly relieved
thus to have the responsibility OF
making a decision taken from him.
Jack told Mrs. Regain what he had
done. An assiduous reader Of the
newspapers it appeared that she
knew all about the magnificence Of
the Columbian.
How would you like to take
cruise in herr" Jack asked.
Me! Oh law What a life of adj
venture!"
''Yo,l shall have staterooln de
luxe, with a brass bedstead, and a
dressing table furnished with gold"
What me! Lizzie Regan Oh
law!" Is.
Can you get away to-night?"
''Id chuck Dozen boarding houses
for such chance! Sure! AS i. hap
pens the house is full, and I'VE got
a cook who is not quite feeble mind
ed. My cousin will run in and keep
an eye on things"
That's settled then. Run along
and get ready, and I'll watch Bobe
till you get back"
Bobo listened to the plan of the
proposed cruise in sullen apathy.
Jack could not tell what he medi-
tated doing. In order to be on the
safe side, Jack called on Hugh
Bronze, his lawyer, to assist him with
the evenings arrangements. 1t
everybody except Bobo.
At nine o'clock that night an in
valid completely swathed in blankets
was tenderly carried out of the pri-
5yate side door of the Madagascar by
two friends, and placed in waiting
limousine. A comfortable looking
nurse lowered over him solicitously.
Any passerby might have been sur
prised to hear convulsive giggles
from the three attendants-but per-
haps he would have put it down to
nervousness. Obviously the patient
was very sick. But if the Drappings
had fallen away from his head, the
passerby would certainly hav., been
astonished to see that he was
gagged!
An hour later Jack and Hugh
Bronze stood on the coal dock watch
ing the superb vessel back out into
the river.
We'll, he's out of harms way for
WHILE" said Jack. "He has no
clothes aboard. but dressing.gown
and slippers
CHAPTER XVII.
Nowadays it is difficult for the
great to conceal their movements, In
spite of the precautions he had taken,
the story of the chartering Of the
Columbian, and the young million
aires sudden departure on south
ern cruise was in the next mornings
papers. Jack silently cursed the
yacht broker.
He had no more than read the
story, he was still lingering over his
breasfast, when the telephone in the
Dutch room rang. and the voice on
the wire said:
Miss Culbreth is asking for YOU"
WHAT cried Jack. You mean
she's downstairs"
Yes, SIR
you're sure it's me she wants?"
yes, sir, Mr.. Robinson" she said.
Jack hesitated before answering.
To tell the truth his courage sunk
slowly into his boots. He would
sooner have faced five strong men
than the Infatuated Miriam. But as
soon as he realized he was q fraid his