Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-10-08
he suspected he had been out

| sweeney, Shlu MT. webster, 10 TIE
chief clerk In one Of Chicago's most
prete1tious hotels and young man
who can find all the tangles of a sit
uatlon without working 1t out In 1oga-
rlthms. wired him the details Of my
predicament; he heard the Macedonian
cry and kicked In. Neat, Is 1t nOt?"
The conductor grinned. II hate to
take your money" he declared.
Don't. Just ut present I'm very
flush. Yes, sir, I'm as prosperous as a
yearlng burro up to his ears In alfalfa
and the only use have ever found for
money Is to make other people happy
with 1t, thereby getting some enjoy.
ment out of 1t myself. When I'm broke
I'll make some more"
And Mr.. Webster retired TO his hard
won sanctuary, where he removed as
much alkal and perspiration as he
could, carded his long hair aId whlsk-
ers, manicured his finger nails with
tack-knife, changed his shirt, provided
five minutes Of industry for George,
with Ills whiskbroom and brush, and
set himself patiently to await tie first
call to dinner.
Presently pink-jowled, well
currled, fashiy dressed big man. of
about Webster's age. passed In the cor
ridor, going toward the head of the
train. An instant later woman's
voice said very distinctly:
II do not know you, sir; I do not
wish to know you, and 1t Is loathsome
Of you to persist In addressing me. If
you do not stop your annoying attea-
tons. shall call the conductor
"Ah! Beauty in Distress" John
Stuart Webster sollloquized. II look
so much like an Angora goat l might
as well butt i'm He stepped to the
door of his stateroom. A girl stood in
tie vestibule, confronting the man who
had just passed Webster's door, Web
ster bowed
Madame. or mademOselle. as the
case may be-" he said, unlike this
other male biDed, my sole purpose in
presuming 10 address you is to suggest
that there is not the slightest necessity
for taking this matter up with the con-
ductor. | am here and very much at
your service"
The girl turned--and John Stuart
Webster's teart topped twice In rapid
succession, like trout newly grassed
She was as lovely as royal flush.
Her starry glance began at his miners
boots, travelled up his old soiled, whip
cord trousers, over his tight blue cham
bray shirt and found the man behind
the whiskers. She favored him with a
quick, curious scrutiny and grave
sweet smile. "TEank you so much, sir"
she answered, and passed down the
corridor to the observation car
swell, old-tlmer," Webster greeted
the fellow who had been annoying her,
"how about you? What do you think
We ought to do about this little af-
fair?'
1.-THE sensible thing would be to do
nothing. You might start something
you couldn't finish"
"That's a dare Webster declared
brightly, "and wasn't II the immortal
Huckleberry Finn who remarked that
anybody that'd take dare would suck
eggs and steal sheep?" He was silent
few seconds, appraising his man. ~
suppose you commenced operations by
moving into her section and asking II
she would like to have the window
open and enjoy the fresh air. She re-
buffed you, but being persistent
devil, you followed her into the OBJ
servation car, and In all probability
you ogled her at luncheon and ruined
her appetite. AID just now, when you
met her in this vestlbule, you doubt
less jostled her, begged her pardon
and without waiting to be introduced
asked her to have dinner with you this
evening"
"weH?" the fellow echoed belliger-
emily,
ITS all bad form. You shouldn't
try to make a mash on lady. l don't
know who she Is, of course but she's
not common ald for the sake Of the
mother that bore me always respect
and protect good woman and whale
h out of those that do 2Ot."
He reached inside his stateroom and
pressed the bell. Tie porter arrived on
the run.
George" said Mr.. Webster, Sin
few minutes we're due ut Smlthylle.
If my memory serves me Alright, we
stop five minutes for water and or
ders."
"Yassah.'
"Remaln right here and let me of as
soon as the train comes to stop
When the train slid to grinding
halt and the porter opened the car
door, Webster pointed "0ut!" he said.
"Thls Is no nice place to pull Off
scrap"
"See here, nelghbor, I don't want to
lave any trouble with YOU"
II know it. All the same, you're GO
Ing to have lt-Or come with me to
that young lady and beg her pardon"
"All right. I'll apologize" and he
started forward as If to pass Webster
in the vestibule, on his way to the OBJ
servatlon car, whittier the subject of
his annoying attention had gone. Two
steps brought him within striking dis
lance Of his enemy, and before Web
ster could dodge sizzling right
handed blow landed on his jaw and set
him back on his launches In the YES
Thule.
1t was almost knockOut--almost,
'lsm lou
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