Evening star., 1896-08-22

out one Of my stories myself he confessed.
with some d:f1dence. It's all folly, maybe,
put 1t would do me good to try
1t did seem droll, but he was such a
would have been cruel not to humor him.
On my next visit we carried out his pro-
ject, and never had I seen him SO cheerful
and happy as when he handed me his COM
pleted manuscript.
e 1t would do me good to have that pub
hshed,' he said. smiling upon ME with open
kindness. You may find mistakes in 1t
but don't make ary changes. Let it go,
title and all. just as 1t is. You see, it is
my own work!
That was my last meeting with john
Navy. carried his story home and read
II, but saw that it would be quite useless
Tor publication unless some journal would
take 1t as news. Yet, with all its faults
there were certain novel expressions scat
tered through it which could hardly be i'm
proved.
I'm order to preserve these bits, copied
tne Whole manuscript for my own benefit,
1t was short-a matter Of two columns only
and l was on the point of sending it to
one OF the New York dailes when l re-
membered my promise to the warden.
The story seemed perfectly harmless
Still, there was my promise; and after
scme indecis.on about suppressing the
manuscript entirely, felt that must give
1t up. The warden listened rather trium-
phantly. to my explanation.
told you Navy would try to use YOU
he said. gruftiy. we will keep a stric,
watch after this
He ran over the story hastily and with
evident disappointment.
'Pshaw! there's nothing about the Pen.
niwell case here! he exclaimed This
anair happened dozen years ago! Navy
Is conceited. He wants to keep his name
before the profession
Il remarked that the story was fairly
we'll told.
oh, yes, he is smart enough, and would
6e-a de ngerous fellow at large. It's lucky
for The whole country that We nave him
behind the bars. AS for this stuff il doesn'i
really amount to anything, but we can't lie;
1t go out while the man lives. Thanks to
you just the same"
THAT was rather hard on the ambitious
old codger," observed Hall.
"All you could do, nevertheless" said
Frarie.
1T seemed so to me-" Paine continued
Yet ] felt mean about 1t and did not visit
the prison again. This fell cut the more
naturally, because matters Of business were
occupying my time, and within fortnight
had removed from Bolton to this city"
Where is your copy OF Navy's story,
kep.?" asked Jack Hall.
1t Is still at my old home. I cuIled out
what wanted. to go with my other notes.
Ihere were some parts which did not seem
SO bright on second reading
Frarie arose, and. fick,ng away a par
ticle of cigarette ash. took up his hat
There may be call for more of Nayy's
adventures" he said. Il advise you not
to kill off the old man until you have ex-
hausted your material. By the way, l in
ferred that he was dead. Is that so?'
He died in prison more than a year ago.
Not until then did feel at liberty to write
rim up
well, goodnight. Come on, Hall"
On the afternoon of the next day while
Paine was busy at his desk, a stranger
was shown to his room by the landIaIy.
Paine whirled his chair around and rose to
greet him.
Inc stranger shot quick, penetrating
glance at his host and bowed with mingled
difference and assurance He was dressed
expensively. and slight swagger in his