McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1922-09-08
THE BUTTON
BY SADIE M. sTuLL
ss-ss.---@. = - ~ - /. . - Il
20 by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.1

20 by Mcclure Newspaper syndicate,)
Cap'n LENS rollicking voice ended
the song In soft chuckle as he paused
on the threshold of the Marden kit
chen.
Roberta flashed him a smile of well
come over her shoulder.
Cap'n Lem smacked his lips as he
glimpsed the fine, juicy apple pie she
was In the act of consigning to the
oven.
THAT'S what allus missed tn
most on long vy'ges. Cook sarved
plnnl-duff more or less regular an
ev'ry onct In so often what he called
apple pie" A reminiscent twinkle
frightened the speakers faded blue
eyes. by the great Mandarin's but
ton, Miss Roberta, | wish We could
Jist see one O. them dried apple libels
anchored long side O. yourn fer sup
per-"
Roberta's merry laugh rang through
the big kitchen. Then he turned to
Roberta. ''The towns plastered with
handbills fer them artist folks fan
dandango termorrer night. / never
run foul o. SIGH critters es they pictur
In any port o. tn seven seas. / axed
one O. 'em, fine, ablebodied lad,
what pertic'lar grudge his crew he'd
agin Chinese Mandarins. why, none ct
all, Cap'n,' he answers, surprised like.
'Thet poster was designed by er IA
nous futurist artist told him l
knowed thar wus er twist some
whar."
While speaking he had drawn a
small, lacquered box from an inner
pocket. "Now, Wen let jokin' go by
tn board. Lookee here"
Roberta uttered little ecstatic cry.
"Oh, Cap'n Lem--is 1t the real jade
button you have told me such wonder
full stories about-the great Man.
darin's button?'
'"The very same, little shipmate."
And then he met roguish challenge
In her winsome brown eyes.
"0h, Capn Lem, do you mean can
really wear the Mandarin's button to
the costume ball?'
Cap'n Lem nodded an indulgent as
sent.
Roberta clapped her hands in glee.
"Then I'll go as Chinese maiden.
Velly cute-likee Wing Tong-big
Mclean sailor man sabeeT
Il sabee,' Capn LENS lips smiled,
but in his eyes cleaned faraway
light. The years fell from him like
slipping links from Times endless
chain. Ten, 0-30-memory's magic
wand touched the 40th link and it re-
manned fixed, glowing oval before
his age-blurred vision. AS on mini
allure screen, he watched the budding
of his life's one romance; to him the
rarest flower In loves garden--de-
stined, alas, to bloom for anotherl
As clearly as though it were but yes
terday, he sighted" familiar sky
lire as the Liddy Bell rounded the
Cape"-homeward bound from her
most paying voyage. In his ears
rang the mates manly voice: "It's a
new home for me this trip, Lem-th'
little white cottage next ter Liddy's
xulks."
Lemuel Dyer's capable hands tight
ened their grip on the Liddy Bells
wheel-that was all. His glance new
er was steadier-his voice never rang
truer; II wish we both all the happi-
ness We kin sail under"
"Ahoy, Cap'n Lem!"
Liddy BELL Marsden's granddaugh-
ter bowed low before him. The jade
button was affixed to a white ribbon
bound most fetchingly around her
brown curls.
y VI
"will the maiden Of the starry eyes
deign to honor the humble magistrate
whose color she wears"
To Roberta, the dance which fol-
lowed seemed dance in FaIryland.
'Much joss shall be burned in Yen
Sang's honor" whispered his excel
lency from Hong Kong at its conclu-
sion.
The fourth dance they ''sat out" on
the clubhouse piazza. The view Of
the moonlit harbor was superb, but
neither needed its distant appeal.
His celestial excellency otherwise
Mr.. Malcolm Hewett, famous illustra-
tor and traveler--looked into pair
OF frank, star-bright eyes and knew
that his hearts long quest was ended
that while he had Jared far afield, the
old home port of his forbears harb0red
the world sought prize, his ideal of
womanhood.
And when, an hour later, he reluc.
family surrendered her to Cap'n LENS
escort home, Roberta realized 1t was
not as she half feared--a dream born
Of the glamour of the dance, but q
Joy which would last as long as even
life itself.
us the Mandarin's button potent
Oriental charm, Cap'n Lemf" she
asked very softly.
His answer was somewhat puzzling
.Mebbe, little shipmate. Thet is--for
sartin people, ct sartin times-th' way
O. all charms / be thinkin'."
Would Seem Like That.
The editor of a. local paper received