Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-12-29

suitcase has proved to be a repository
OF treasures"
John stuart webster's neck came
out of his collar with the suddenness
OF a turtle swapping az a ny; he drew
himself up beside the top berth until
hts face was on n level with his unbid-
den guests. upon whom he bent look
u mingled emotions.
-who the devil are your" he de.
manjed.
Il regret / have no card. but even II
7 had II would be no kindness TO inflict
upon an American gentleman the cog
nomen my parents honored me with.
FOR Il Is long and many jolnted. like a
peanut. and embodies the names OF all
the saints In the calendar. Moreover.
lust az present I am travelling Under
an alias. 4 am known as Mr.. Andrew
Bowers"
And your occupstlOnT" Webster
managed 10 articulate.
Valet de chambre 10 that prince OF
gentlemen. Mr.. John 5. Webster" the
other replied with a miSchievous CLEAN
In his dark eyes.
Mr.. Webster sat down Imply on the
settee. He was undecided whether 10
roar with laughter or shrek with rage;
while he struggled for a decision An
drew Bowers blew smoke rings at the
ceiling.
Haven't I seen you beforeG" Web
ster queried presently.
Il wouldn't be surprised. I drove
you down 10 the steamer in a taxi half
an hour ago. You win recall that the
taxi driver carried your luggage
aboard"
Webster gazed around the stateroom.
where have you hidden your IiveryT
be demanded.
Il 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 IL overheard"
but apparently you did not bring
aboard with you a sui; OF clothes 10
take the place OF your llveryT
"QuIte fundamentally 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
mantr
Andrew Bowers was n man ~ per-
haps thirty years. i've feet ten inches
tail. and apparently In excellent health.
Tie might have weighed a hundred and
seventy pounds and he was undeniably
handsome
While Webster was wondering
whether his companion was merely
high-class tramp or an absconding
bank cashier. a knock sounded on the
statenoom door. lie opened IL and the
purser stood In the entrance.
Ticket. pleaseT' be announced.
Webster surrendered both tickets.
receiving in turn two seat checks for
the dining saloon. and the purser
passed on 10 the next cabin.
Andrew Bowers smiled a small, pre-
scient smile. but said nothing. aud
presently John Stuart Webster broke
the silence. well he ordered. "sins
the song or tell the story"
4 noticed you surrendered my ticket
% the purser," the young man an
swered irrelevantly. "ald am glad OF
that. / take Il as prlms facie evidence
that you have made up your mind 10
accept my company"
You're too Internally cool and cock
sure. my friend" Webster warned him
testify. Il pride myself on n sense Of
humor and l dearly love a joke untii
it's carried too FAR. but be dvised In
time young MAJ. and don't try TO play
horse with me. Ny acceptance or non
acceptance OF you Is a subject for fu-
ture discussion. since az 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 I never saw you before to-
day. suppose We start the voyage by
sQuarlng me account"
Andrew Bowers sat up In the berth
and let his legs drape over the side.
Mr. Webster" he began seriously. IL
prior 10 the arrival OF the purser 10 col
Iect the tickets. you had handed my
ticket 70 me. saying: Here is your
ticket. Mr.. Bowers. BE kind enough
TO reimburse me 10 the extent Of fifty
dollars I should have been compelled
10 admit then. as / do now, that
haven't ffty dollars. Fortunately for
me. however. you surrendered the tick
81 TO the purser before acquainting
yourself with the state OF my for
tunes; the voyage has commenced and
whether you like Il or not. my dear sir
I am yoN 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 a hereditary re-
gard Tor haubees. He was business
man. Pr0dIgal spender though he was
and generous TO a fault. the fact re-
ualned that he always made IL a point
20 get value received. and he was prod
i-al with his own money: he preferred