The morning call., 1891-03-12

CHAPTER THE Two FRIENDS.
Philip Seagrave and 1 made up our minds
one bleak December morning about four
years ago to take a trip up TO my ark. which
was situated about a mile and half from
Alviso, on the then South Pacific Coast
Railroad.
Phil was My bosom friend and compan-
ion, and l was somewhat surprised when he
so readily acquiesced in my suggestion that
we go ducb-hunting that afternoon. l had
often asked HIM to accompany me on my
hunting expeditions before, but this was the
first occasion on which l had ever succeeded
in getting him to say Eyes" to my appeals.
When we left San Francisco that after
noon light mist was falling, and by the
time we reached Alviso it had developed
into a heavy dOwnpour The tramp from
the station to the ark was made with much
difficulty owing to the strong wind, which
helped to force the water into our faces,
tn roughly soaking us from head to foot
As my friend WAS a novice in the hunting
line and totally unused TO such harsh treat
ment at the hands of the weather clerk, l
could scarcely blame him for being SO I'M
complimentary in his remarks toward that
individual. When we were snugly ensc0nced
in my hunting headquarters cur first effort
was to build blazing fire. | had made al =
range mepts with an old man who lived IN
the ark, and whenever paid II visit every
thing was in readiness for my comfort. The
ark was divided into two COMPARTMENTS
sitting-rcOn, in which | cooked and ate, and
q bedroom In the latter was a closet
which contained couple of changes OF
clothing, and Phil and l lost no time in di-
ycsting ourselves of our wet garments, re-
placing them with dry ones
AS the night wore on the storm increased
in violence, aud by 10 o'clock ii was blow
ing a regular hurricane. The rain was COM
ing down in torrents, and PM shiYered as
each sheet Of water struck against the side
Of the building, as if intent on washing US
out to sea.
We occupied two easy chairs before the
cheerful fire, and on a table close by stood
demijuhn OF good old whisky, surrounded
with the necessary ingredients Tor making
punch. Several glasses of that consollng
beverage had already disappeared down our
Threats and we were quietly pulling away at
our pipes. For some minutes my companion
had not spoken, and l noticed fdraway
look in his eyes, which were resting on the
fire.
'Phi, old boy" I exclaimed, breaking the
silence, why so penslveY
Still he spoke not, and l again ventured
to disturb his reverie."
Are you thinking of the little innoeents
that you and are going to butcher in the
morning, or are you signing for your lady
lOye?' and rose from my chair in order to
replenish our almost empty glasses.
Jack, old fellow, you are correct in your
last surmse. l am thinking of my lady
love-" said he, turning his face toward me.
and he seemed ashamed Of being caught in
the act,
'Egad, Seagrave, but don't see the ne
cessity of your treating the subject so
w nv, 1t ha nh in
your argument. Aud who. pray, is your
fair Juliet? This is the first time that you
have displayed any symptoms OF love fever, "
and as l addressed him thus l pushed the
steaming glass toward him.
He took good, long drink, replaced the
glass on the table and looking me straight in
the eyes answered:
The woman l loved is dead, and to-night's
surroundings remind NE Of the night that l
lost her."
Poor fellow, noticed the tears start in
his eyes and his face was unusually pale.
After a few minutes pause he continued:
We have been Toommates, Jack, for
nearly four years, ana during that time l
have learned to regard you in the light OF a
brother rather than that Of a friend. Six
months after we came together l was taken
with bad fever and you nursOd me safely
over IL Night and day you watched by my
bedside, abandoning your business and
neglectlnE your rest, and all for a perfect
stranger, | might say. l have often thought
about telling you the story of my life, but
on second consideration l generally came to
the conclusion that perhaps my revelation
would annoy rather than interest you. l AIN
now going to tell you something about my
self, but l hope my story Will not add to the
already prevailing gloom OF our surround
ings."
After finishing the contents Of his glass
and refIling his pipe, he leaned his elbow
on the table, and with eyes turned toward
fire, he began his story, as follows.