White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1927-06-24
CHAPTER III-Continued

listening to Barnes anecdotes with
less critical attitude Barnes had hui
NOR. A handsome man, Bradney de-
cided, courageous, popular with men
and women alike and not burdened
with sufficient mental power to enable
him to feel he had mission In life.
He lived, no doubt, as his wealthy
class does, simply for the moment.
In truth, Neeland Barnes had for
gotten Lippsky entirely. The dinner
was excellent. A -countryman
Of Achilles had seen to that. The
wines were superb. Barnes adopted
an air Of exquisite but lofty courtesy
toward his fellow-guests. They said
very little, but their table manners
were reassuring. When the dinner
should be finished, Barnes determined
to lean back in his chair survey Mil
man with a smile that had world
knowledge and kindly cynicism in It,
and demand to know for what reason
he was brought from Peekskill retire
ment. AS one old New Yorker to an
other, Peter Milman would give his
reasons.
THAT'S very fine oil-painting over
your head, Mr.. Milman," said Floyd
Malet, disturbing the train of Barnes
fancies.
"a relative of mine," Milman an
swered, capt. Oliver Milman. That
was painted in Holland when he was
young soldier In Englands wars
with France. 1t Is by Jordaens the
brilliant fellow-student of Rubens. He
Joined his brother in Plymouth coun-
ty, Massachusetts, just after that pic
ture was painted. Later he fought In
king Philips war; He was killed
Pennsylvania. Historians know 1t as
King Williams war His brother
dlsowned him for his goddess ways of
life. In revenge Captain Oliver be-
queathed him his entire fortune,
which rescued the stern and righteous
brother from beggary. But for Oliver
Milman we might have become OBJ
scure farmers on Cape Cod. What the
Milmans had, they owe to him."
Neeland Barnes launched into bit
ter invective against righteous rela-
tives. "Take it from one who knows"
he concluded, ut is the black sheep
who'll do man good turn when
he needs 1t. I've found that my
righteous relatives always gave me
good advice and the shadier sort
slipped me the COIN"
"Some day q great lawlessness will
sweep over the world" Malet declared.
81 don't mean as concerted action
on the part Of any Socialist or Syn
dicalist, but an expression Of human
unrest. We have been tied down too
long. We have endured too much the
expressions Of those in authority"
well stampede, you mean?" said
Barnes. ''Tll be there"
"'Do you think" Peter Milman
asked, "that there is any Justification
for the human herd stampeding be-
cause 1t Is dissatisfied with its mas
ters?"
Certainly" Floyd Malet said.
Sometimes 1t is just to take the law
In ones hands,"
1.-THE law" scoffed Bradney, recall
Ing certain earlier passages of his life.
"The law. Now I'm a typical law
abiding citizen, but / cannot regard
any man-made statutes as sacrosanct.
What is law? A rule of civic con-
duct prescribed by the supreme power
and prohibiting what is wrong. That's
Blackstone's definition"
Neeland Barnes looked instinctively
over the table to his host. 1t was his
experience that all rich men support
ed those laws which kept the masses
in order. In his own days of wealth
he had done the same. But there was
no frown on Peter Milman's face.
"This is discussion which interests
me more than you can imagine" said
Peter Milman. His guests noticed
that he turned his head and glanced
swiftly at Captain oliver. II usually
have coffee and liqueurs served In the
garden" He rose. "Think you may
prefer 1t there"
"a garden?' Floyd Malet cried. "a
garden In Lower Fifth avenue?"
"You shall see," said Milman.
They followed their host through
library and corridor to what seemed
blank wall. A door, cleverly con-
cealed by holdings, swung open. Not
for twenty years had strangers been
offered the chance to gaze upon Peter
Milman's Japanese garden.
"This Is JAPAN" Malet exclaimed. ~
have seen this in Nagasaki."
II modelled 1t on part Of the gar
dens In The Teahouse Of the indie
scribable Butterflies in Nagasak1,
with suggestion, here and there, from
the Fukawaga garden"
Neeland Barnes knew nothing about
Japanes0 gardens. but the thing took