White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1929-05-17
count LUCKNER
i THE SEA DEVIL
Il p.ass ssg" Ssasa Co. By LOWELL THOMAS

By LOWELL THOMAS

come? She is too lovely for any NOR
tai being"
So deep was in fantasy that these
thoughts inspired me to a sad regret
and resignation. When evening came,
l returned to the ship happy and yet
downhearted.
That night we entertained on board
members of the Royal Spanish club
and their guests. Some came for din
ner, some afterward. It was jolly
meal. Then we gave an after-dinner
entertainment, and ] was called upon
to entertain and amuse our guests.
During my days as sailor was Oft
en- In demand to amuse the company.
The tricks I had learned among the
Indian fakirs in Australia had re-
tanned and cultivated. To this day
am somewhat skillful at various
kinds Of sleight of hand. I put on
oriental robes and turban. My face,
freshly tanned by the sun of the Cam
eroons, needed no darkening. had
learned from the fakirs the solemn
mystical demeanor and slow impress
sive movements that they cultivated.
must say that as l appeared before
the guests in the salon of the Panther
cut quite an oriental, wonder-work.
ing figure.
l had performed several tricks and
had come to the one in which l
snapped ring onto a cane held at
both ends by an assistant, when two
newcomers arrived and entered through
a door not far from me.
"Luckner," thought, "are you going
crazy? Phelax, there is she, your
fairy princess"
She was on the arm of a stately old
| gentleman. She had the rosy lips, the
short, pretty nose, the childlike eyes,
and the rich blonde hair that had
haunted my imagination. She came
close to me and watched me with an
expression of interest and something
OF awe. AS / learned later, she
thought / was truly an Indian fakir.
"Phelax," said to myself, "she has
come to you, your fairy princess. She
/
has come"
tried to 60 on with my trick, but
my hands shook and were clumsy.
| could not control them. Nor could
keep my eyes away from the blonde
girl who stood there.
"I'm sorry" said to my assistant,
one of our officers "The other ones
went all right, but I can't seem to
do this one. We've had enough any.
way"
Ladies and gentlemen" he an.
nounced jocularly, "the great fakir has
reconsidered and thinks it would be
wrong to disclose this last marvellous
trick. He feels that 1t is his duty tt
retain 1t and exhibit 1t for the frs
time before his sovereign, the king O.
England"
Everybody laughed, i went out and
changed into my naval Uniform as
quickly as could. When IYreturned
l asked one Of the other officers to
present me to the blonde young lady.
/ have never felt SO bashful as when
l made my bow before her.
i She was much amused at having
taken me for genuine Indian fakir
and talked merrily. Her laughter was
very sweet. She told me her name
was Irma. Her father owned great
| plantations on the island of Sumatra
She was with him at Fuerteventura on
sojourn for his health.
The remainder of my stay on the
island was perfect happiness. Irma's
father entertained us officers at his
bungalow. Trma and | were together
all Of the time. We took long walks
among the white houses and through
the green glades the sight of which
had so gladdened poor Phelax long
| years before. When the Panther
steamed north again, was happy
with the assurance that Irma had Civ.
en- me that she and her father were
sailing for home in short time and
that would see her there.
| did see her there, and we became
engaged to be married. The Panther
was to sail for the Cameroons again
| Oh July ~. we were leduy W sIuTt
when we received an unexpected tele-
gram from the admiralty-"Do not
start" On August l, Germany de-
clared war on Russia, and the world
was abaze. told Irma that our mar
riage must be put off. II would be
wrong to have her become the wife
| Of man who might so soon leave
her a widow. She wanted an imme-
| date marriage. but was determined.
! ITO BE CoET1NUEDo