The Irish standard., 1920-04-03


to forty, this American from the dis
tant trenches, and his age was as hard
to guess as clever woman's; there
was something about him peculiar to
youth, and yet when his face was in
repose, he might easily have claimed
two score Of years and gone undis-
puted. It was face which suggested
both the fire Of immaturity and the
drain of experience; there was breath
taking gravity about 1t, hint of the
dignity Of marble, Of ageless perma-
nence. It was slightly thin face,
SCARED by a heavy line or two. and
indelibly stamped with the evidence
Of intense thought and inward suffer
ing; but it lacked the ho'lows which,
at the first glance, should have sup
ported the evidence. It was thin and
oval face, with a mouth of large and
sympathetic sweetness. a forehead
white and high, prominent, delicate
nose. and irises Of clear, luminous
gray. It wasn't altogether an Anglo
Saxon type of countenance, nor was
1t definitely European; 1t seemed
rather to have taken all the better
qualities from several races. 1t was
a face to inspire immediate trust and
confidence and respect, and Harmon,
despite his lack Of practice in all three
Of these reactions, was evidently at
tracted by it.
"vichy- -Celestins for me-" said the
old-young man indifferently.
"Tll I guess I'll have vichy
too," said Harmon, relaxing. "If 1t
wasn't for something ] can't Just de
scribe I'd say we'll. never
mind. Er what business have
you been in, by the way?"
The younger mans reply was tardy
and not particularly gracious.
"Why, the longest time I ever put
in at any one business was selling in.
surance. The last thing / did was to
sell bonds. Why?"
Harmon stiffcncd. "a salesman!
Good Lord! That's the last thing in
the world I'd have j.. but, say!
You must have been whirlwind!
Why, a man with n presence like yours
would hardly have to open his mouth :
You've got a sort of I'll be
hanged if l know what to call it
but kind of feeling, if you know
what l mean. Salesman! Why, all
you need is an introduction and a dot
ted line!"
The young man laughed rather for
lornly and slipped his vichy.
"Just at present l haven't either"
Harmon's gaze was unfaltering, and
his interest and admiration bounded
higher. Mechanically, in accordance
with his habits, he was striving to dis
cover how this new acquaintance
might be put to practical use. "Was
right, or was wrong? Playing in
hard luck don't strengthen n mans
courage much, even If he tries to bluff
himself into thinking it does. Cut out
the regret stuff; that's my advice, and
you can take it or leave it. Forget
all that tough luck you had over here.
and get busy figuring out how you're
| going to cash in on all your expert
ence. Americas full of chances
you'll land something big in no time.
Can't help 1t if you try. Salesman!
Son, you're carrying your best recon,
mendation right on top Of your own
shoulders
The young man gave him back wry
emile and finished his vicbY.
II only hope it comes true" he said
Harmon looked at him steadily. and
falling under the spell of those radiant
features stared and stared until he
came to himself and all at once
brought his fist down on the table, so
that the glasses rang again.
"Well, why shouldn't it, AS mat
ter Of fact, why shouldn't it?"
The younger mans expression hadn't
changed. Meaning what?"
Meaning" said Harmon deliberate
", "that the first thing I've got to do