Cheyenne record., 1921-03-31
Author of "Cappy
Kicks" The Valley
of the Giants" Etc.

I suitcase has proved to BE- repository
Of treasures"
John, Stuart Websters neck came
out Of his collar with the suddenness
Of turtle swapping at 4 ny; he drew
himself up bsaide the top berth until
his face was Oh level with his unbId-
den guests, upon whom he bent look
Of mingled emotions.
"Who the devil are your he de-
manded.
II regret have no card. but even II
had 1t would be no kindness to inflict
upon an American gentleman the cog
nomen my parents honored me with,
for 1t ID long and many-jointed. like q
peanut, and embodies the names of all
the saints in the calendar. Moreover,
Just at present am travelling Under
an alias. I am known as Mr.. Andrew
Bowers"
"And your occupationr Webster
managed to articuiate.
"valet de chambre to that prince Of
gentlemen. Mr.. John 8. Webster" the
other replied with 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 decision An
drew Bowers blew smoke rings at the
ceiling.
Haven't I seen you before7" Web
ster queried presently.
] II 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.
"Where have you hidden your livery1"
he demanded.
II wrapped It in Q Newspaper: then.
seeking a moment when the deck out
side was deserted. stepped forth In
MY beg your pardon. your-pajamas
and tossed 1t overheard"
But apparently you did not bring
aboard with you q suit Of clothes to
take the place Of your liveryf'
"Quite Fundamentally 70, Mr..
Webster. Perhaps you will accept my
desperate need a. an excuse for bor-
rowing your pajamas. I notice You
have another suit Of them. Fortunate
mani"
Andrew Bowers was q 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 a
high-class tramp or an absconding
bank cashier, q knock sounded on the
stateroom door. He opened 1t and the
purser 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-
scient smile, but said nothing. and
presently John Stuart Webster broke
the silence. SWELL" he ordered. "sing
the song or tell the story"
II noticed you surrendered my ticket
to the purser." the young man an.
swered irrelevantly, land am glad of
that. take 1t as prilna 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
testify. II pride myself on sense of
humor and dearly love a joke Until
it's carried too far, but be .dvised In
time. young man. and don't try to play
horse with me. My acceptance or nom
acceptance Of you Is 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 l 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.
"Mr. Webster" he began seriously. III.
prior to the arrival Of the purser to col.
lect the tickets, you had handed my
ticket to me. saying: Here Is your
ticket. Mr.. Bowers. Be kind enough
to reimburse me to the extent Of fifty
dolIars,' I should have been compelled
to admit then, aS l do now, that l
haven't nfty dollars. Fortunately for
me, however, you surrendered the tick
ct to the purser before acquainting
yourself with the state Of my for
tunes the voyage has commenced and
whether you like 1t or not, my dear sir,
I am your guest from now until We
reach San Buenaventura. Rather an
Interesting situation, don't you think I"
John Stuart Webster was Of Scotch
ancestry. He had hereditary re-
gard for baubees. He was 4 business
man. Prodigal spender though he was
and generous to q fault, the fact re-
mained that he always made 1t point
to get value received, and he was prod
igal with his own money he preferred
that the privilege Of prodisality with
the Wsbstsrisn funds should remain
an inalienabis prerosative Of The sole
1 --A~Sm~ - HA~ VAh.uAn~> 49,.