Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1920-10-29

tered not the slightest objection, for
when man is seriously III, he Is IN
much the same position as n politician
-to-wit: He Is in the hands of his
friends.
However, life had the habit of 60
Ing hard with Webster so frequently
that fortunately he was trained to the
minute. and after three days OF heroic
battling the doctor awarded Jack the
decision. Thereafter they kept him IN
the hospital ten days longer, feeding
him up" as the patient expressed 1t
at the end of which period Webster
some fifteen pounds lighter and not
quite so fast on his feet as formerly, |
resumed his journey toward New Or
leans.
In the meantime, however, several
things had happened. To begin, Do
lores Ruey spent two days wondering
what had become of her quondam
knight of the whlskers-at the emu
of which period she arrived In New
| OTltuIlN Win tilN NpiN'''''' 'N'~''o
upon her that while her hero might be
as courageous as a wounded lion when
dealing With men, he was the pos
SCISSOR, when dealing with women, OF
about two per cent less courage than
cottontail rabbit. Being a very hui
man young lady, however, she could
not help wondering what had become
of the ubiquitous Mr.. Webster al
though the fact that he had myster'-
ously disappeared from the train en-
route TO New Orleans did not pertGrD
her one-half so much as 1t had the DIS
appearee. She had this advantage
over that unfortunate man. whereas
he did not know she was bound for
Buennventura, she knew he was;
hence, upon arrival in New Orleans
she dismissed him from her thoughts,
serene in abiding faith that sooner or
later her knight would appear, like
little Bo-Peep's lost sheep, dragging
his tail behind him, so 10 speak.
Dolores spent week in New Or
leans renewing schoolgirl friendships
from her convent days in the quaint
old town. This stop-over, together
with the one In Denver, not having
been taken into consideration by Mr..
William Geary when he and Mother
jerks commenced to speculate upon
the approximate date of her arrival IN
Buenaventura, resulted in the preina-
ture flight of Mother jerks to San
Miguel de padua, a fruitless visit on
the part of Billy aboard the Cacique,
of the United Fruit companys llne'
followed by hurry call to Mother
jerks TO return to Buenaventura unti'
the arrival of the next steamer.
This time Billy's calculations proved
correct, for Dolores did arrive on that
steamer. The port doctor came
aboard, partook of his customary
drink with the captain, received a
bundle of the latest American news
papers and magazines, nosed around,
asked few perfunctory questions
and gave the vessel pratique.
Dolores observed a gasoline launch
shoot I'D TO the landing at the foot or
the companion-ladder and discharge II
well dressed, youthful white man. As
he came up the companion, the purser
recognized him.
"Howdy, Bill" he called.
"Hello, YOURSELF Mr.. William
Geary replied, and Dolores knew him
for an American. "Do you happen to
have as passenger this trip large
interesting person. by name John stu
art Webster?' added Billy Geary.
81 don't know, Billy. I'll look over
, the passenger list" and together they
moved off toward his office. Dolores
followed, drawn by the mention OF
that magic name Webster and paused
in front of the purser's office TO lear
,, over the rail, ostensibly to watch tht
cargadores In their lighters clustering
around the great ship, but In reality
] tn learn more of the mysterious Web
ster.
"Blast the luck" Billy Gearl
growled, 'the old sinner Isn't here. ~
the way, do you happen to have
l. Miss Dolores Ruey aboardT
Dolores pricked up her little ears
What possible interest could thi
stranger have in her goings or com
ings?
"You picked winner this time
. Bill" she heard the purser say
"Stateroom sixteen, boat-deck, star
. board side. You'll probably find he
: there, packing to go ashore
= THANKS" Billy replied and steppe'
: out Of the purser's office. Dolore
turned and faced him.
81 am Miss Ruey," she announced
!, 81 heard you asking for me-" He
eyes carried the query she had not pu
: into words: "Who are you, and wha
do you want?" Billy saw and under
y stood. and on the instant a wave o
= desolation surged over him.
II -