Vernon Parish Democrat., 1921-03-24

suitcase has proved to be a repository
of treasures"
John Stuart Webster's neck came
out of his collar with the suddenness
of turtle swapping at a fly; he drew
himself up beside the top berth until
his face was on level with his unbid-
den guests, upon whom he bent look
of mingled emotions.
"Who the devil are your" he de-
1 manded
81 regret have no card, but even if
1 had it would be no kindness to infiict
upon an American gentleman the cog
nomen my parents honored me with,
for it is long and many-jointed, like
peanut, and embodies the names of all
the saints in the calendar. Moreover,
Just at present am travelling under
an alias. am known as Mr.. Andrew
Bowers"
"And your occupationT Webster
managed to articulate.
"Valet de chambre to that prince of
gentlemen, Mr.. John S. Webster" the
other replied with a mischievous CLEAN
in his dark eyes.
Mr.. Webster sat down Imply on the
settee. He was undecided whether to
roar with laughter or shrek with rage;
while he struggled for a decision An
drew Bowers blew smoke rings at the
ceiling.
'Haven't 1 seen you beforeY Web
ster Queried presently.
II wouldn't be surprised. 1 drove
you down to the steamer in a taxi half
an hour ago. You will recall that the
taxi driver carried your luggage
aboard"
Webster gazed around the stateroom.
where have you hidden your nvery?"
he demanded.
81 wrapped it in newspaper; then,
seeking a moment when the deck out
side was deserted, stepped forth in
MY beg your pardon, your-pajamas
and tossed it overheard"
"But apparently you did not bring
aboard with you a suit of clothes to
take the place of your livery2"
"Quite Fundamentally so, Mr..
Webster Perhaps you will accept my
desperate need as an excuse for Dor
) rowing your pajamas. 1 notice you
have another suit Of them. Fortunate
J manv'
Andrew Bowers was a man of per-
: haps thirty years, five feet ten inches
! tall, and apparently in excellent health
He might have weighed hundred and
( seventy pounds and he was undeniably
handsome.
= While Webster was wondering
: whether his companion was merely q
high-class tramp or an abscOnding
5 bank cashier, knock sounded on the
t stateroom door. He opened it and the
3 purser stood in the entrance.
$ "Ticket, please?' he announced.
E Webster surrendered both tickets
: receiving in turn two seat checks fol
the dining saloon, and the pursel
t passed on TO the next cabin.
E Andrew Bowers smiled a small, pre-
!, scient smile. but said nothing, anC
e presently John Stuart Webster broke
z the silence. "Well," he ordered, "sinG
e the song or tell the story"
i Il noticed you surrendered my ticke
to the purser," the young man an
r swered irrelevantly, land am glad O.
g that. I,take 1t as prima facie evidenct
that you have made up your mind tt
d accept my company"
Y you're too internally cool and cock
8 sure, my friend" Webster warned hin
testify. II pride myself on sense o
e humor and I dearly love a joke rnti
It it's carried too far, but be advised II
n time. young man, and don't try to pla,
s horse with me. My acceptance or non
a acceptance of you is subject for flu
!: ture discussion, since at present w
have some fiduciary matters before us
a You owe me fifty dollars for your tick
" ct, Andrew Bowers, and in view of tn
5. fact that / never saw you before tC
II day, suppose we start the voyage b
squaring the account"
le Andrew Bowers sat up in the bert
a. and let his legs drape over the sid'
If "Mr. Webster" he began seriously I'll
le prior to the arrival of the purser to co
II lect the tickets, you had handed m
ID ticket to me, saying: Here is you
le ticket, Mr.. Bowers. Be kind enOug
o. to reimburse me to the extent of fift
10 collars, L SuOuAu nave bCSA NOAApClAC
n to admit then, as / do now, that
haven't fifty dollars. Fortunately fC
|" me, however, you surrendered the ticl
e. ct to the purser before acquaintin
ur Yourself with the state Of my TO
tunes; the voyage has commenced an
ed whether you like 1t or not, my dear 81
ur am your guest from now until "
reach San Buenaventura. Rather q
m interesting situation, don't you think
John Stuart Webster was of ScotC
>" ancestry. He had a hereditary r
III gard for baubees. He was busine
on man. ProdigaI spender though he WI
ID and generous TO fault, the fact r
All NAMED that he always made 1t a poi
tly to get value received, and he was pro
ch igal with his own money; he prefers
that the privilege Of prodigality wi
ex- the Websterlan funds should rema