The L'Anse sentinel., 1921-04-22

|
you to know love you; so long as I
live, shall want to serve you. When
| you're married to this other man, and
things do not break just right for you
both-if I have something he wants,
in order to make you happy, want
you to know It's yours to give to him.
II-I-guess that's all, Dolores"
"Thank you, John. Would you like
to know this man I'm going to mar
ryT
"Yes, I think I'd like to congratulate
| the scoundrel."
"Then I'll introduce you to him, John.
I FIRST met him on train In Death
valley, California. He was shaggy
old dear, all whiskers and rags, but
his whiskers couldn't hide his smile,
and his rags couldn't hide his man
hood, and when he thrashed drum
mer because the map annoyed me. l
just couldn't help falling In love with
him. Even when he fbbed to me and
disputed my assertion that we had met
| before"
"Good land of love-and the calves
| get loosel" he almost shouted as he
held up his one sound arm to her. my
| dear, my dear"
"Oh, sweetheart" she whispered lay
ing her hot cheek against his, its
taken you so long to say 1t, but love
! you all the more for the dear thoughts
that made you hesitate"
He was silent few moments, digest
Ing his amazement, speechless with the
great happiness that was his-and
then Dolores was kissing the back OF
the hand of that helpless, bandaged
arm lying across his breast. He had
tightening in his throat, for he had
not expected love; and that sweet, be-
nignant. humble little kiss spelled ado
ration and eternal surrender; when
she looked at him again the mists Of
| Joy were In his eyes.
"Dear old Caliph John" she
crooned. Hes never had woman
to understand his funny ways and ap-
preciate them and take care of him,
has he?" She patted his cheek. "And
bless his simple old heart, he would
rather give up his love than be false
| to his friend. Yes, indeed. Johnny
Webster respects No Shooting signs
when he sees them, but he tells fibs
and pretends to be very stupid when
he really isn't. So you wouldn't be
false to Billy-eh, dear? I'm glad to
know that, because the man who can
not be false to his friend can never be
false to his WIFE"
He crushed her down to him and
held her there for long time. "My
dear" he said presently, "isn't there
something you have to say to meT
81 love you. John" she whispered,
and sealed the sweet confession with
true lovers kiss.
"All's well with the world" John
Stuart Webster announced when he
could use his lips once more for con.
versation. "And." he added. lowing
to the fact that started trife late
in life, I believe could stand little
more of the same"
The door opened and Ricardo looked
in on them.
"Killjoyr" Webster growled. "Old
Killjoy the Thirteenth. King Of So
brante. Is this surprise to your
"Not a bit Of 1t, Jack. knew II
was due"
"Am welcome In the Ruey family?"
Ricardo came over and kissed his
sister. "Don't be lobster, Jack" he
protested. II dislike foolish ques-
tions." And he pressed his friends
hand with fervor that testified to his
pleasure.
"rm sorry to crowd in at time
like this, Jack" he continued, with a
hug for Dolores, "but Mr.. What-you-
may-call- him, the American consul, has
called to pay his respects. AS fellow
citizen of yours, he Is vitality interested
in your welfare. Would you care to
receive him for few minutes?"
zone minute will do" Webster de-
clared with emphasis. "Show the hui
man slug up, Rick"
Mr.. Lemuel Tolliver tripped breezily
in with outstretched hand. my dear
Mr.. Webster" he began, but Webster
cut him short with a peremptory ges.
ture.
listen, friend Tolllver." he said
'The only reason l received you was
to tell you I'm going to remain in this
country awhile and help develop 1t.
I may even conclude to grow up with
It. shall not. Of course, renounce my
American citizenship; and Of course,
as an American citizen. am naturally
Interested in the man my country
sends to Sobrante to represent 1t. !
might as well be frank and tell you
that you won't do. called on you
once to do your duty, and you weren't
there; told you then I might have
something to say about your Job later
on. and now I'm due to say It. Mr.
Tolliver. I'm the power behind the
throne In this little Jim-crow country
and to quote your own elegant phrase
ology, you. as American consul, are
nux vomica to the Sobrantean gov
eminent. Moreover, as soon as. the
Sobrantean ambassador reaches wash
ington, he's going to tell the president
that you are. and then the presiden,
win be courteous enough to rcmov,
you In the meantime, fare thee well
Mr.. Consul
"But, Mr.. Wobgterr