The Little River news., 1920-09-08

suitcase"
 Fell a silence of perhaps half min ute. Then:
 q dislike to appear inquisltive," Webster began, but the fact is. neigh Dor, I'm curious to know where you got that book. observe you are read ing Samuel Buffers Way of All Flesh and that the book is slightly damaged Recently purchased such book in"
 "Pray do not take the trouble to ex- plain" the other answered airily. q discovered this excellent book in your suitcase also. In fact, for me, that suitcase has proved to be repository of treasures"
 John Stuart Webster's neck came out of his collar with the suddenness of q turtle Snapping at fly; he drew himself up beside the top berth until his face was on a level with his unbid den guests, upon whom be bent a look of mingled emotions.
 Who the devil are you" he de handed.
 'T regret I have no card, but even if uron an American gentleman the cog nomen my parents honored me with for it is long and anyjointed, like a peanut. and embodies the names of all the saints in the calendar Moreover, just at present l am travelling under
 
 Bowers"
 And your occupation?" Webster managed to articulate.
 Valet de chambre to that prince of gentlemen, MT. John g. Webster" the other replied with mischievous gleam in his dark eyes.
 Mir Webster sat down Imply on the settee. He was undecided whether to roar with laughter or shriek with rage i; while he struggled for decision An ceiling.
 Haven't I seen you before?" Web ster Gueried presently.
 "I wouldn't be surprised. drove you down to the steamer in taxi half an hour ago. You will recall that the taxi driver carried your luggage aboard
 Webster gazed around the stateroom. "Whpra have you hidden your livery?" he demanded.
 .'l wrapped it in newspaper; then seeking moment when the deck out side was deserted. stepped forth in ,ny-l beg your pardon, ajamas ard tossed it overheard"
 ''Eut apparently you did not bring aboard with you suit of clothes to lake lhe place of your livery?"
 Quite true-lamentably so. Mir Wehster. Perhaps you will accept my desperate need as an excuse for Dor. rowing your pajamas. l notice you have another suit of them. Fortunate man"
 Andrew Bowers was a man of per {, l,s thirty years. five feet ten inches tail, and apparently in excellent health. He might have weighed hundred and seventy pounds and he was undeniahiy ,'3nds>Oine.
 While Webster was WOnd"riug 2 whether his companion was merel! d h gh-class tramp or an abScOnding l., ak cashier knock sounded on the @iateroom door. He opened it and the parser 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 small. pre- seent smile, but said nothing, and presently John Stuart Webster broke he silence. Well" he ordered, "sing the song or tell the story"
 II noticed you surrendered my ticket 10 the purser," the young man an- swered irrelevantly. "and l am glad of that. take it as prima facie 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 lestily. q pride myself on sense of humor and dearly love a joke until it's carried too far, but be advised in time. young man. and don't try to play horse with me. My acceptance or non- acceptance of you is a 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 squaring the account"
 Andrew Bowers sat up in, the berth and let his legs drape over the side. MT. Webster" he began seriously, eff, prior to the arrival of the purser to col lect the tickets, you had handed my ticket to me saying: Here is your ticket, Mir. Bowers. Be kind enough to reimburse me to the extent of fifty dollars should have been compelled to admit then, as do now, that I haven't fifty dollars. Fortunately for me, however, you surrendered the tick ct to the purser before acqualnting yourself with the state of my for tunes; the voyage has commenced and whether you like if or not, my dear sir, am your guest frop now until we reach San Buenaventura. Rather 0n interesting situation, don't you think"
 John Stuart Webster was of Scotch In hnrnditnrV