The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1900-12-29

eally- He was transmitting a message
when a name in it caused him to start.
and it ran: Inform Lieutenant EayIes-
den sudden death of father; must return
home Immediately
He sent the message along, then sank
back in his chair. his brain a-whirl-
Lord Haylesden was dead, and his only
son. now smoking placidly in the quar-
tiers not a hundred yards away, would
reign in his stead. Stavert ground his
teeth To think that this man should
nae everything, while he And, now
ne came to think of it, this young lieu
tenant was the only man between him
and the title. If he had died, Dick Sta
vert, the telegraph operator, would have
stepped into 1t all-would have been able
70 marry the one woman who'll He
pressed his hand to his forehead. His
head was throbbing violently, the blood
that coursed through his veins seemed
70 De on Tlre- II he had died-if he died
now! The mad idea flashed upon him.
He turned away with a shudder and
tried to forget it.
At last Rennick relieved him. Pale
ana d1sheveled, his eyes burning like
hot coal, Stavert staggered back to the
quarters. Once in his room, he pulled
a big leather trunk from it's corner and
rummaged feverishly among its con-
Tents Finally he pulled out a tiny glass
bottle. In it was about teaspoonful
Of colorless liquid. He held it up and
sazed at it with a wild look
1t would be 'safe-absolutely safer
he muttered hoarsely.
The Turbulent, resplendent' in her
white awnings and cleaning decks, was
lylng mot1onless on the calm sea- In
the smoking room a small group of Off
GERS were chatting and laughing To-
gether, on one side of the table, sat
Br1ckenden and Stavert-the latter OPP
posite Lieutenant Haylesden, who at
that moment was slipping a glass of
whisky
'zThe gigs coming in!' cried one of
the officers, glancing out of the port
hole Haylesden put down his whisky
and jumped up.
+shan't be a minute he said, hurry
ing away on deck. Then one of the Off
GERS noted something curious about the
boat and commented on it. They all
stood up and crowded around the port
hole, Brickenden with them.
Stavert did not move. He shot a
glance at their backs A look of cum
ming crept into his face, and his eyes
glittered The next moment his hand
had slipped to his pocket and withdrawn
something With his eye still on the
backs, his hand passed swiftly over
HayleSden'S glass, and a tiny stream
poured into It. Then his hand went
back to his pocket, and he rose to his
feet, and watched with the others. His
hands were clenched so that the nails
dug into the flesh.
They reseated themselves and resumed
their talk. Stavert felt his eyes drawn
irresistibly to the deadly glass in front
of him. He shuddered convuIsively.
With a superhuman effort he turned
away and Joined in the conversation,
talking in high-pitehed tone and
laughing. Briekenden gazed at him in
wonder.
There was a sudden crash on the deck
above their heads, followed by a cry.
Some of the officers jumped to their
feet.
Then a nidshipman came gathering
down to them. He thrust a white face
into the smoking room.
An accident" he gasped. t'They had
swung the gig in. when the tackle gave
way, and she fell from the bow the
keel caught Haylesden on the back of
the head-kil1ed himr' finished the
youngster in a tone Of awe. The Off
GERS raced away. The two U. T. c. men
remained alone.
'sGreat Scott. what's the matter,
Stavvy2" cried Brickenden suddenly.
StaVertS eyes were fastened on a
glass standing on the table before him.
His jaw had dropped, and he was trenb-
ling. Then with a quick movement he
picked up the glass and staggering to
the portfolio tossed the contents into
the sea.
He tunbled back into a chair, gazing
stupidity at Brickenden. Then the full
force of the thing he had been saved
from broke upon him. A CLEAN came
into the red eyes, and the words came
out with wild rush.
I'm going home, Brick-going to
marry her-cut the drink-run straight
forever" he cried incoherently. I'm
Lord Haylesden, Brick-Lord Hay1es-
den, my God. I ann
Brickenden looked at him pityingly.
Stavert had come his 'scropper'' then
drink and the fever had turned his
braini
He was wrong, however, for in the
course of time he found these things ac-
tually some to pass, and he wondered
exceedingly.
But it had been the nearest thing.