Evening star., 1921-05-29
THE KIND MIR. SMITH
Being One Of the
JOYOUS Adventures of Aristide PujOl
By W. LOCKE
Author of "The Beloved Vagabond The Motebank" etc.
c. D.
By ". J. LOCKE

comforted him with tea and hot muf-
fms. The frank charm of his girl
from his mind the riddle of his ad-
venture. Besides. think of the Arabian
Nights enchantment of the change
from his lonely and shabby hed-sittinR
room in the Rusholme road to this
fragrant palace. with princess N all
the freight dancing through her hair
the dainty play of laughter over her
face and decided that the limousine
had transported him to Bagdad in
stead of Hampstead.
You have the air of veritable
Il wonder what my hance would
say If he heard you?"
My fance. There's his photograph
on the table beside you. He is six foot
one. and SO jealous she laughed
again.
The Turk" cried Aristide. his
swiftly conceived romance crumbling
into dust. Then he frightened up
But when this six feet Of muscle and
egotism is absent. surely other poor
mortals can CLEAN smile?"
You will observe that I'm not
frnwning.' said Miss Christabel. "Put
you must not call my fiance Turk.
for he's very charming fellow whom
hope you'll like very much.
u
this thrice blessed mortal?"
MISS CHR1STABEL told his name
one Harry Ralston-and not only
his name. but. such was the peculiar
childlike charm of Aristide Pujol. also
many other things about him. He was
the Hon. Harry Ralston. the heir to
a great brewery peerage. and very
wealthy. He was a member Of parlia-
ment. and but for parliamentary
duties would have dined there that
evening: but he was to come in later.
as soon as he could leave the house.
He also had house in Hampshire.
full of the most beautiful works of
art. 1t was through their common
hobby that her father and Harry had
first made acquaintance.
Were supposed to have a very fine
collection here" she said. with a mo-
tion of her hand.
Aristide looked round the walls and
saw them hung with pictures in gold
frames. She noted his cursory glance.
Il thought you were a connoisseur?
Il am" said Aristide. his bright eyes
fixed on her in frank admiration.
She blushed again; but this time she
rose.
Il must go and dress for dinner Per-
haps you would like to be shown your
room?"
servant ushered him up broad.
carpeted staircases into bedroom
such as he had never seen in his life
before. 1t was all curtains and hang
ings and rugs and soft couches and
and subdued lights. and a great fire
glowed red and cheerful. and before
it hung a clean shirt. His poor little
toilet apparatus was laid on the dress
ing table. and with a tact which he
did not appreciate, for he had. sad 10
tell. no dress suit) the servant had
spread his precious frock coat and
spare pair Of trousers on the bed On
the pillow lay his night shirt. neatly
by these preparations. "it is expected
that l wash myself now and change
my clothes. and that ! sleep here for
the night. And for all that the ravish-
ing Miss Christabel is engaged to her
Harry. this is none the less
a corner Of Paradise"
So Aristide attired himself in his
best. which included a white tie and
pair OF nearly new brown boots-a
long task. as he found that his valise
had been spirited away and it's con-
tents. including the white tie Of cere-
mony the had but one), hidden in un-
expected drawers and wardrobes-and
eventually went downstairs into the
drawing room. There he found Miss
Christabel and. warming himself on
the hearthrug. bald-headed. beefy-
faced Briton. with little pigs eyes and
suit.
MY dear fellow" said this per-
sonage. with outstretched hand I'm
delighted to have you here. I've heard
so much about you; and my little girl
has been singing your praises"
n se 1t, a
Aristide.
You must take US as you find u.s."
said Mr.. Smith. We're just ordinary
folks. but can give you a good bottle
OF wine and a good cigar-it's only in
England. you know. that you can get
to smoke-and ] can give you
glimpse OF modest English home.
believe you haven't word for it in
French"
Dinner was announced Aristide
gave his arm to Miss Christabel. and
of his frock coat. white tie and shiny
brown boots. strutted into the dining
room. The host sat at the end Of the
beautifully set table. his daughter on
his right. Aristide on his left. The
meal began gayly. The kind Mr..
Smith was in the best Of humors.
And how is our dear old friend,
Jules Dancourt?" he asked
ITEMS" said Aristide. to himself.
I'VE have a dear friend Jules Dan
court. Wonderfully we'll" he replied
at a venture. hut he suffers terribly
at.'imes from the gout."
80 do !. confound it," said Mr..
Smith. drinking sherry.
You and the good Jules were al
ways sympathetic" said Aristide. "Ah.
he has spoken to me so often about
you the tears in his eyes.
Men cry. my dear. in France" Mr.
Smith explained They also kiss each
other
"Ah. mais c'est un beau pays. made
moiselle." cried Aristide. and he ba-
gan to talk of France and to draw pic
lures OF his country which set the
girls eyes dancing. After that ne
told some Of the funny little stories
academy. Mr.. Smith. with jovial mag
nanimity. declared that ne was the
first Frenchman he had ever met with
a sense OF humor.
uDCT l thought. baron" said he.
- that you lived all your life shut
up in that old chateau OF yours"
ITEMS" thought Aristide. Il am
still a baron. and I have an old cha
teau.'
Tell US about the chateau. Has 1t
fosse and drawbridse and a gothic
chapelo" asked Miss ChristabeI.
Which one do you mean" inquired
Aristide. airily. For / have two"
When relating to me this Arabian
Nights adventure. he drew my special
attention to his astuteness
His hosts eye quivered inca wink.
1.-The one in Languedoc." said ne.
I.anguedoc. Almost Pujors own
country. With entire lack OF moral
ity. but with picturesque Imagination,
Aristide plunged into q description Of
ha4 ri ha eanial hal EaSaA