z896.]
guest, but with .a dignified reserve which plainly told Perkins that
he could work no artifice on the polished, traveled man of the
world. One chance remained, to put the question point blank.
" Mr, Jaimeson," . he began, you know we people of the
Western Hemisphere feel a brotherly interest in each other, and
I'm sure—
" Pardon me, my dear sir," said Jaimeson, rising; " I have a
pressing engagement 'which calls me away now. lam gratified
to have received a call from you, and I trust—l hope not in vain—
for the honor of another visit from you soon."
Mr. Jaimeson assumed his most friendly manner, as if he re
gretted exceedingly the departure of his guest, and with the
blandest indulgence insisted on Perkins' filling his case with the
delicious Havanas.
Perkins felt the hot blood rush to his face. Not for a long time
had he received such a rebuff. But a newspaper man learns to
control his temper, and with as much good nature as he could
command he bowed himself out.
" I'll give that fellow a roast that'll warm him up," was his
resolve as he walked out of the Lexington. He soon changed his
mind, but the more he tried to forget his defeat, the more puzzled
he became. That polished manner, the conversation between
them and the Chilean beauty, assured him of a valuable mystery,
and he made a secret resolve that some day he would know it.
When Perkins reported his failure to the chief, that gentlemen
laughed at his discomfiture, saying: " Well, if you couldn't get it
out of him, we needn't be afraid of any other paper's getting a
scoop," and the affair was dropped. The space that Jaimeson
should have had was filled with less interesting " stuff," and he
was at once forgotten, except by Perkins.
A year passed with the usual routine of newspaper work, and
the following autumn found Perkins enjoying a vacation in the
mountains. 'The first long lay off for several years, he resolved
to banish all busy thoughts and go in. for such a good time as a
newspaper man knows how to have when lie gets by himself.
The first week in September he planned , to spend in that interest
ing Mormon stronghold, Salt Lake City. Upon arrival there he
engaged comfortable quarters in the Hotel Templeton, and made
his program for the week; but programs are often interrupted,
and Perkins found his abruptly interfered with, but in a manner
which eventually gave him infinite pleasure.
Perkins' Assignment.