The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1921-09-24

q
supernatural become childishly m
rle when all the founda tons and
props that sustain them are made
Visible.
As a clubman. Morley Smith was
Il perfect specimen OF the type. He
VAS nothing else. In thousand
clubs there are a thousand like him;
every club that is a real club has a.
least one OF him. and ;hc finest and
stuflest clubs may have as many rs
six. He. was " bachelor. middle
aged, nch, we'll groomed. You could
nick him out OF hundred on ladies'
nights BY the perfection OF his white
re, the ultra perfection " his eve
ming coat and the rather high color
that came from the six extra high
balls he had swallowed TO brace him
self for the occasion. To Morley
Smith. the club was greater than
the republic. II was at once home
and heaven 10 him. II anyone had
asked him where he wished 10 go
when he died. he would have an
swered-it no told the truth: BY
Jove Nowhere. old chap. This IS
cooi enough for me-"
When. spurred to recklessness by
the var spirit that irritated him
but did not include him. and enuced
by a book OF adventure. Morley
smith had ventured from the club
one night 70 seek romance by In
rruding himself into the home OF
one OF the poorer class, he had not
Imagined he would ever do il again
He did, however. Having tasted the
fear and pleasure OF finding himself
in strange places. he found the de-
sire 70 adventure return Z; such
times as the club-life became dull,
and he had gone forth again. wrap
ped In his costly fur-ltned coat.
He found the adventures amusing
Thus far. he had found them harm
less as well. and back Of his farther
wanderings was natural desire 10
tempt fortune little farther. just
as a small boy taps on goblet with
the back OF his table knife. striking
a little harder each time. to see how
hard 1t may he struck before 1t
breaks. II always breaks at the lost
blow. Thus Morley Smith was urged
70 venture again and again. tempted
- see how greatly he must dare be-
fore real danger came TO him.
One pleasant night Of the year
when the United States had entered
me war.-late August. this was,-
Morley Smith sat at the club window
looking out. The Avenue was
bright with lights. Soldiers in uni
form, sailors and the usual Avenue
groupings passed. The window was
open. The Avenue buses went
rusing by IN the street. Morley
Smith slipped a highball SLOWLY. He
was placid.
Up the Avenue three young fell
lows came. They were not of the
Avenue sort. and they were inclined
20 be playful. One struck the other
ard lodged. laughing. His fellow
tented and put out foot. tripping
him. All three laughed. When they
came abreas, OF the club window.
one OF ,a"n Stopped and looked at
Morley Smith.
"Luoh II; ,ns big stiff" ne said.
and then called: Hey. DO. Hand
me down n highball."
Morley Smith did not change his
"XpresSior. He grew a little red
but il was nothing the house com
mittee could remedy. and he felt
that his best treatment OF the in
sultIng affair would b. 20 maintain
MS own dignity and that o. the club
by showing no anger. AS the young
'ellows passed up the Avenue, Nor
ley Smith relt disturbed and rest
leSs He was usually able to sit In
he window placidly and hour after
hour. without emotion OF any kind
but the young hoodlumS had forced
an emotion on him. Like a mar
who has eaten pickles and ice cream
he felt the unusual stirring inside Oh
him.
BY Jove." he exclaimed restlessly
ard 4 minute later ne had retrieved
his hat. stick and light top-coat
from the club courtroom and was or
MS way 70 ;he door. Once outside
he put his foo: on the running -boart
OF a waiting taN.cab.
Where TO. Mr.. Smith," asked the
driver.
Morley Smith hcsltated. Suddenly
spirit OF utter recklessness surget
through him. He was seeking ad
venture. very well He would 81
the full limit
II say" he said. DO You know
the route to Westcote?"
Yes, Mr.. Smith,
Il want to go there. you know"
The driver pushed down the httlt
aag. sent tho taxicab spinning IN 4
halt-circle and bumped over n,
rough stretch Of street to Madison
Morley Smith looked out Of the win
dow. His blood actually tinsled n
nis veins. This was 4 big adventure
indeed. He Was going to WeStoote
where he had never been. He mean
70 ring the bell Of . house he het
never seen. Thereafter he would le
happen what would.
As q matter Of fact, the town o
Westcote was the auietest and mos
respectable Of suburbs. II reste,
among Its beautiful trees a few mile
rom Manhattan on Long Island. ant
had Morley Smith but known II
saying II will 60 10 Westcote 70
adventures" was equal 10 saving /"
will go 10 church for high Of,
time
The tax;cab crossed the Queens
borough Bridge and rolled alonl
Jackson Avenue. past the factorie
Of Long Island City through village
that ran into zach ether. II swunl
around the shore OF > BAY an
crossed small stone bridge tina
spanned creek. The driver slowet
the cab at the side az the stree
there. and opened the door.
This is WestcOte Mr smith" n