THE VEILED LADY OF STAMBOUL
LORETTA OF THE SHIPYARDS
A COAT OF RED LEAD
MISS MURDOCK,--"SPECIAL"
THE BEGUILING OF PETER GRIGGS
MISS JENNINGS'S COMPANION
SAM JOPLIN'S EPIGASTRIC NERVE
MISS BUFFUM'S NEW BOARDER
CAPTAIN JOE AND THE SUSIE ANN
"AGAINST ORDERS"
MUGGLES'S SUPREME MOMENT
To my Readers:
This collection of stories has been labelled "The Veiled Lady" as being
the easiest way out of a dilemma; and yet the title may be misleading.
While, beyond doubt, there is between these covers a most charming and
lovable Houri, to whom the nightingales sing lullabies, there can also
be found a surpassingly beautiful Venetian whose love affairs upset a
Quarter, a common-sense, motherly nurse whose heart warmed toward her
companion in the adjoining berth, a plucky New England girl with the
courage of her convictions, and a prim spinster whose only consolation
was the boarder who sat opposite.
Nor does the list by any means end here. Rough sea-dogs, with friendly
feelings toward other dogs, crop up, as well as brave Titans who make
derricks of their arms and fender-piles of their bodies. Here, too, are
skinny, sun-dried Excellencies with a taste for revolutions,
well-groomed club swells with a taste for adventure and cocktails, not
to mention half a dozen gay, rollicking Bohemians with a taste for
everything that came their way.
Perhaps it might have been best to enclose each story in a separate
cover, and then to dump the unassorted lot upon the table, where those
who wished could make their choice. And yet, as I turn the leaves, I
must admit that, after all, the present form is best, since each and
every incident, situation, and bit of local color has either passed
before or was poured into the wide-open eyes and willing ears of your
most humble and obedient servant
A Staid Old Painter.
150 East 34th Street,
New York, March 13, 1907.