Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-11-19

sulltuSc mas pIoNtu w NC IepoSilois
of treasures"
John Stuart WebSter's neck came
out of his collar with the suddenness
Of a turtle swapping at fly; he drew
himself up beside the top berth until
his face was on II level with his unbld-
den guests, upon whom he bent look
Of mingled emotions
"Who the devil are your" he de-
manded.
81 regret | have no card, but even II
| had ii would be no kindness to intllct
upon an American gentleman the cog.
nomen my parents honored me with,
for it Is long and many jolnted like n
peanut, and embodies the names of all
the saints in the calendar Moreover,
just at present | am travelling Under
IN alias | am known as Mr.. Andrew
Bowers"
And your occupatlon?' Webster
managed to articulate.
"Nalet de chambre to that prince Of
gentlemen, Mr.. John $. Webster" the
other replied with II mlschievous CLEAN
in his dark eyes.
Mr.. Webster sat down Imply on the
settee. He was undecided whether TO
roar with laughter or shrek with IIge;
while he struggled for decision An
drew Bowers blew smoke rings at the
ceiling.
Haven't seen YOU hefore?' Web
ster queried presently
81 wouldn't be surprised. | drove
you down 10 the steamer in taxi half
an hour ago. You will recall that the
taxi driver carried your luggage
aboard"
Webster gazed around the Stateroom.
Where have you hidden your liveryY
he demanded.
81 wrapped II In newspaper; then,
seeking a moment when the deck out
side was deserted, stepped forth In
my beg your pardon, your-pajamas
and tossed ii overheard"
But apparently you did not bring
aboard with you suit Of clothes to
lake the place of your lrery?"
Quite true-lamantabW so, Mr..
Webster. Perhaps you will accept my
desperate need as an excuse for Dor
rowing your pajamaS. notice you
have another suit Of them. Fortunate
man.
Andrew Bowers was man Of per-
haps thirty years five feot ten inches
tall, and apparently IN excelert health.
He might have weighed "a nurlred and
seventy pounds and he was undeniably
handsome.
While Webster was wondering
whether his companion was merely
high-eass tramp or an absconding
bank cashier, a knock sounded on the
Stateroom door. He opened ii and the |
purSer stood in the entrance.
Ticket, please?" he announced.
Webster surrendered both tickets, |
receiving in turn two seat checks for
the dining saloon, and the purser
passed on TO the next cabin.
Andrew Bowers smiled a small. pre- |
scent smile. but said nothing, and |
John Stuart Webster broke !
the silence. well. he ordered "sing
the song or tell the story
Il noticed you surrendered my ticket
to the purSer,' the young man an
swered irreIevantly, "and am glad Of
that take 1t as prma facle evidence
that you have made up your mind to
accept my company
you're too Internally cool and cock
sure, my friend" Webster warned him
testify. II pride myself on n sense of |
humor and | dearly love joke Until |
it's carried too. far, but be dyised In |
time. young man, and don't try to play
horse with me. My acceptance or non
acceptance of you is subject for fu-
ture discussion, since at present we
have some fiduciary matters before US.
You owe me fifty dollars for your tick
ct Andrew Bowers, and in view Of the
fact that | never saw you before to-
day, suppose we start the voyage by
squarlng the account"
Andrew Bowers sat up in the berth
and let his legs drape over the side.
mfr. Webster" he began seriously IF,
prior 10 the arrival of the purser to col
lect the tickets, you had handed my
ticket to me. saying: Here is your
ticket. Mr.. Bowers. Be kind enough
70 reimburse me TO the eXtent'0f fifty
dollars should have been compelled
to admit then, as | do now, that
haven't fifty dollars. Fortunately for
me. however you surrendered the tick
ct TO the purser before acquanting
Yourself with the state OF my for
tunes; the voyage has commenced and
whether you like 1t or not, my dear sir,
| am your guest from now until we
reach San Buenaventura. Rather an
interesting situation, don't you think?"
John Stuart Webster was of Scotch
ancestry. He had hereditary re.
gard for baubees. He was business
man. Prodigal spender though he was
and generous to fault, the fact re-
NAMED that he always made 1t point
to get value received. and he was prod.
lgal with his own money; he preferred
that the privilege Of prodigality with
the Websterian funds should remain
an inalienable prerogative of the sole
surviving member Of the Webster fam
lily.