The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1921-11-04


the hospital ten days longer, feeding
him up" as the patient expressed it
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. Dos
iOres Ruey spent two days wondering
what had become of her quOndam
knight Of the whiskers-at the end
of which period she arrived in New
Orleans with the conviction strong
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 mysteri
ously disappeared from the train en-
route to New Orleans did not perturb
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
Buenaventura. 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 to speak.
Dolores spent Il week in New Or
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 prema-
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 company's line.
followed by hurry CALL to Mother
Jerks to return TO Buenaventura until
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,
or
and gave the vessel pratique.
Dolores observed a gasoline launch
shoot up to the landing at the foot of
the cOmpaniOn-ladder and discharge a
welI-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. EDO you happen to
have as a passenger this trip large,
interesting person, by name John Stu
art Webster?" added Billy Geary.
II 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 lean
over the rail, Ostensibly to watch the
cargadores in their lighters clustering
around the great ship, but in reality
to learn more of the mysterious Web
ster.
"Rlast the luck" Billy Geary
growled, "the old sinner isn't here. BY
the way. do you happen to have a
Miss Dolores Ruey abOard?"
Dolores pricked up her little ears.
What possible interest could this
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 her
there. packing to go ashore"
"Thanks," Billy replied and stepped
out Of the purser's Office. Dolores
turned and faced him.
81 am Miss Ruey." she announced.
II heard you asking for me-" Her
y
into words: "Who are you. and what
do you want?" Billy saw and under
stood. and on the instant wave Of
desolation surged over him.
So this was the vision he had volun-
tcered to meet aboard La Estrellita,
and by speciOus lie and hypOcritic
mien. turn her back from the portals
of Buenaventura to that dear old
United States, which. Billy suddenly
recalled with poignant pain, Is sir
able country in which young lady
may very readily be lost forever. With
the quick eye of YOUTH he noted that
Dolores was perfectly wonderful in
white flannel skirt and jacket. white
NICK boots, white panama hat with a
gorgeous puggaree, a mannish little
linen collar, and red fOur-in-hand
tie. From under that white hat peeped
profusion of crinkly brown hair with
slightly reddish tinge TO Il: her eyes
were big and brown and wide apart.