Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-21

Joined the guitar in the stern from whence
two voices presently rang out together
Dusk had fallen, and the green light on the
starboard side cleaned balefuliy. like the
eye OF moving sea-nonster. By and by
the moon arose. making a clear line across
the black water to the figure of the Boy
crouching along in the bow. The Master Of
the, Yacht slept sereneiy with his face to
the ghostly path left behind them on the
water,-'the wake Of the color Of the
shrouds when a sound made him turn his
head
swift look right and left, as IL to assure
himself that he was alone. He paused just
an instant, then placed one foot on the rail
and swung himself upward, when an arm
drawn back. and Granby's voice said.
'Donaid, my boy. 1 thought you were
asleep"
"Don'tr exclaimed the Boy. hoarsely He
hung an arm outward as IL TO throw Gran
by off, but that. too, was caught and held
Let me aloner' he painted. His face was
turned to Granbys in the early moonlight,
which sharpened pitifully the wild pain and
rage making its beauty haggard and old.
Il intend to let you alone after awhile"
CRANKY spoke quietly. Just at Present
though am particularly anxious for your
society"
the Witness slowly died out of them A
tremor- shook the figure-within Granbys
arm, and then, with a moan, the Boy Slip
ped down and dropped his head again on his
hands.
why did you stop me? It's no use" he
muttered. brokenly.
My dear boy. / know you would rather
be alone just now, but am selfish" Gran
by spoke with his hand firmly On the snoul-
der OF the other. II feel like talking You
needn't answer. III do it all. I'll begin
with the green and white ghost Of whom
was telling the boys When you were asleep;
a or hnn n ma for
enough not to blow his brains out and for
whom the other fellow was killed at Lois
annes. A wonderful creature with no knowl-
edge of the value OF human life but who
had scientific way Of disposng of it.
Her name, Donald he paused slightly. Il
wish particularly to tell you. 1t is Helene
and by the way, the Herald says she is
married today to the man who won the Der
rington races"
Again tremor seemed to shake the Boy.
1t may have been a sob. CRANKY was silent.
There was only the sound of the PROV cut
ting through the water, and the guitar and
tarapatch ringing in unison to waltz time,
seemed far behind.
Then. all of e sudden, Cranky began in a
low tone to talk. Sometimes his hand rest
ed on the Boys shoulder, sometimes on his
bowed head. The moon grew brighter and
the port-light CLEANED red-like a bloody
spear floating on the black water. Now and
then rough voice from the crew called
aloud. Still CRANKY talked in a way that
would have astonished Thorpe. What he
said. OF whether he himself ever remember
ed, Is neither here nor there; but after a
long time had passed the Boy raised his
head The wind blew the yellow hair GU. of
his eyes. and the wildness was gone. He
spoke wearily, and another would have said
irre,evantly, but 1t was to the point.
Gran, you never lie. and-and it's all
true 1 know II is-but you know"
Yes. Donald. know"
81 can't stand 1t here on the boat. must
get away alone. How can IL?
You can't" said CRANKY; but you can
get away with me. III have Bristol put me
off at P,atank tomorrow. He's going to
take on some other fellows there. j would
like to so UP iasthe pines again, and / think
you had better come along"
The Boy saidsncthing, but nodded
Super Teddy" spoke Ping Wings voice
presently.
The Master of the Yacht responded and
uncurled himself. The guitar and tarapatch
| drew near playing Tell Me With Your
Eyes"
Come on, you sluggards"' called Thorpe,
| as the three went below.
'Comingr' answered CRANKY. VIII you
do something for me, Donald?' he added,
| gravely. but daylight would have disclosed
| smile in his eyes. 49,
Asail the Boy nodded.
Come 10 supper 800
No, not tonight"
Yes, at once
The Boy arose unwillingly, drawn away
| BY tho other. He brushed his hair back.
his lace was wan ana snafp, out steady,
| as he laid a OBTAINING hand on CRANKY S
arm.
Gran. did you know the other fellow?
| The first one She"
Yes. did," said CRANKY, looking into the
unfathomable darkness beyond them; yes.
believe he became a chronic bachelor but
he had learned a great deal"
And did you know what I-what was
up to awhile ago, when you-came?"
Granby's hand fell on the Boys shoulder.
Donald. 1 only know that you seemed TO
have bad habit of walking In your sleep.
But between us think We can cure it,
Thank you" murnured the other. u
know you must think me a fool"
Heaven forbidr' CRANKY spoke ferveltly,
and then their hands met.
Now, come on TO supper. It's amazing
how little life holds for hungry man."
The Boy pulled himself together with n
shake. and went slowly down the stairway
toward the lamplight; but CRANKY paused
an instant and looked back at. the newt
able white line dividing the water behind
them. The salt air blew sharply past his
face, which has grown stern and s0rrowful.
Helene, Helene. he muttered. Gould
you not have spared this boy?" and as he
went below he added under his breath,
though you had no pity for me-"