New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-03

He was seriously tempted to accept the lliVIV@s
tion out Of bravado, for his old firnneSs VI
shirt had returned, but rejecting that there "ero
many things which he must attend TO IN VA
time that remained he declined, and the daY cio'''
without further event -, oooet
steamer went out the Golden Gate with CE, ,.
Rogers as q passenger. The predlcteu ia t;u a
death had come and gone and ne v was Of life
ahead of him. The mysterious coneiae s 10 nan
revealed to him that strange things gn tbe1 Rad
for which he could not account. Dng mi r-as
stopped short of more dangerous ground lG we
now free from the influence OF tine supe1sneion ~
and would entirely forget ~ Saw SH' b %S
times, he would perhaps look DICK u Husn "' "i'
unexpected display of weakness =, ou,i,,, cub
Nevertheless he found himself this morning SUD
ect to strange sort of depsessloh Joe "nlcn mo
ton with the disagreeable thoughts OF the past Few
DAYS, but was unique and indeserioaDle. lie
wandered about the ship, trying IN VAIN 10 ge1
away from the discomfort OF tins new sensation.
IL was the reaction, he told HIMSELF OF the strain
through which he had been passing once thrown
from It's balance his mind would have to be fos
time at the mercy of whatever foolish fances might
seize upon it.
As he leaned against the rail, prey to these
moody reflections some ono touched his arm, ana
he turned 20 discover former bookkecper of the
firm, wearing the cap and uniform OF the purser
| of the ship , s.,,.L.o, g.
see you sir,D h. said. Never in his life had the
merchant stood more In need OF company. The
| cordiaty with which he returned his former
clerks greeting quite astOnished that gentleman.
After they had talked few minutes, the purser
| said Won't you come to my room. Mr.. Rogers
| It is q cosey little place. | notice you are not
looking well. 1t is too chilly for you here, is 1t
The room was small but pleasant. Mr. Rogers
occupied chair by the desk. Vile the purser
| sat on the edge OF the bel. The latter was
| talkative young man, who experienced an unusual
| degree Of pleasure In meeting equal his old
| employer, Of whom he had formerly stood IN
| great awe. While listening to his lively pratue
| Mr. Rogers uneasness gradually vanished.
"This is sort Of q dangerous trip; do you
| know it?V said the purser.
= Why, how is that" inquired the merchant,
ave are carrying about all the gunpowder,
and oil and such combustioles that the policy
| will allow II we should catch fire now, 1t would
| not take long TO blow us slyward. But / ought
not to talk to you Of such matters; you might not
sleep well at night after it."
Mr.. Rogers said bpt little not being by nature
a very companionable man. With the purscr II
| was different; IL was not often that be secured
| so attentive listener rs his present one. =
| Are you going TO stop in Ventura very iong"
he inquired.
"Well, you ought to- said the purser every
| thing is beautiful down there now. The hills
| are o velvety green, and the meadows arc fairly
tie earlier than il does up above and it IS already
| well under way.
For winters rains and ruins are over,
| And all the season OF SHOWS and sns'
suppose you do not care much for poetry, but
| am very fond Of it, and try TO commit some TO
| memory every day: 20 use for quotations. you
know These lines are from Swinburne.n
| Swnburne,n repeat, Rogers, mechanically;
| Then he gave quick gl- .ce about the room, ana
| his face turned shade pale Here was the desk,
| the white painted walls, and the mirror
| The pursef stood mp, tnterrupung ms thoughts.
| Yes" he said am very fond OF Sw1uburne;
| so much so that i keep calendar IN my room
| with a selection for each day OF the year by
/ Joyel That reminds me! Yesterday didn 80
| He placed his hand on coat which hung over
/ the desk beside the mirror, and was about 10
| remove IL, when the oliicer OF the deck stepped
| TO the door.
Hail." he said, "you ore wanted and then
| added in an undertOne which Rogers heard quite
| plainly trouble down below
| The purser went quickly out, closing the screen
| the coat 10 one side Beneath it was the calendar
bearing ia large red letters the number twenty-six
| and the lines:
| sIn HIS heart Is a blind desire,
| In his eyes forokn0wledge u death
| The words seemed 30 scar his eyebaliS rs ne
| read them, and he staggered back, glsping ior
| breath At that instant he heard the clang OF
the fre-aarm bell the cries OF the sailors ana tne
/ rushing OF many people along the deck. lie SANK
TO the floor, lis lips parted IN the euof1 10 speak
/ "A name. ,t.t. - u.
When the purser returned, after adjusting the
| difficulty foe which he had been summoned De
i low he noticed tho men putting up the nose ~
fhe conclusion OF the lre-drill, and wondered II
| the sudden call hsd startled lis guest Upon the
aoor az the room no found Clark Rogers, his stern
! features black and distorted ~ death-'On"iie'
| Dwight Willard, in The M5onauL