Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-17

- Know, SAID old Guest, with Qufver.
Dolly, you were always good and wise,
and know best. II it was your wish I would
DO anything. Whatever it was. But think
no, h nard It y on me- and I've been-faith
'oh, Ted, SO true, 50 truer'
Still. Tor katey' 8 sake. you would see
this man-n he Is alive-and keep him
For Katey's sake dear Ted"
He left her and looked far older on this
bright and sunny morning than he had on
the night Of the storm.
.? ".
The house Of David Copeland, fisherman.
and Of Mrs. Copeland, tavernkeeper, was
not by any means Of the comfortable and
picturesque character which drew people
to spend their summer in Mrs. Holloway's
inn A white. bare building, standing aloof
from the little cottages of the other fisher
tolk, 1t AFFORDED no promise Of cozy atten-
tons, nor any further pledge than that OF
ordinary bar-room, vulgar delights and the
cnllllest or bed room accommodation. To
an upper room, furnished with two cots,
the nshers had carried the wrecked strang-
ers Their appearance and their manners,
when the doctor had revived them some
what were not such as to conctliate either
their hostess or the medical man. They
were unresponsive to kindness, and, but
that they had little money with them to
pay their way, Dave Copeland. when they
be on their road.
'Dagos,'' said Dave "At least one on
EN- is, an the other looks brother to the
devil. No wonder Mrs Holloway didn't
want 'em at the inn. Howbe, they have
saved something from the wreck, an a poor
man can't afford to turn away money
Thus, the first interest in the castaways
over, they were left to themselves, and
the fishermen of the lonely beach pursued
their own laborious way. One of the
strangers was more badly hurt by the
fully in his room. The other was able to
wander about little, frightening children
with his bandaged head and repelling men
and women by his furtiye looks and sullen
answers.
Ted Guest, in a manner, since his resi-
dence among them, the adopted chief of the
primitive villagers, by reason Of his roar
ing voice, his rank as a retired sea captain
ana MS possession of independence,
made his way as the sun went down, to
the Copeland tavern. 1t was Christmas
eve very still evening. chill and gray.
furry or two of snow from the gray clouds
promised dark, cold winters night, with
the promise of such a uninterrupted earth
on the morrow as befitted the Christmas
season He had left the Holloways at the
Inn preparing for Christmas and the we'd
ding which was soon to follow. Jack Beau
mont was called away on business, to re-
turn on the morning, and mother and
daughter We're alone. Old Ted was wretched
IN heart. There are times when the COM
mission of murder seems to sore souls al
most pardonable, and such it seemed to the
skipper tonight. He stood near Copeland's
collecting his thoughts, and shivered under
the cloudy skies as the night closed in. He
had been faithful to her for years, hoping
for his reward. Now. when it seemed al
most within touch, this-thing must come
back from the dead, and he had promised
to take him to her. There was little of
the Christmas joy in old Ted's heart
Mrs. Copeland showed him the room. 1t
was dark save for a candies light.
ho1 +bn
Whispered. IF you're goin' to ask him
about who he is you'll get short answers,
sir. Hes sulky fellow, an, Christmas
gone, III ask him an his mate to be off"
The skipper closed the door, shutting him
self in the room. The man from the wreck
was alone, his face at the window He
turned swiftly around.
So you've got back, Holloway. YOU
sccundrel!' said Guest
The man bounded up at the name, and in
an instant had drawn revolver
VINO are you? Who said Holloway?
what do you want here? My names not
Holloway
Put that away" said the sailor, sharply,
but lowering his usually jolly, roaring voice
Don't you know me? Don't you know
your old skipper, Ted Guest?''
Inc man gasped, and then there was a
minutes pause. Then he laid the pistol on
the bed, and came forward with a laugh,
holding out his hand.
Guest" he cried what brings Won berao
By Jove, but 1 am glad to see you again.
Guest pushed aside the hand
,,,,, m not at all glad to see you," he said.
W nat lii-fortune brought you here? What
WickednesS nave You been UP to since I
helped you-not for your sake--to escape
justice before?''
The man gave groyyl in the shadows 1ika
a sullen bear in its cave.
nat lli-luck brought you hereP" he
sIarled. ana now you have entered my
room unasked nave you nothing to say but
to recall the past? If you have not. Won
might as well leave me alone, as You found
me-" "-io
Have not right" the captain be-
gan, with one of his sudden roars and then
with an effort, he controlled himself
Holloway" he said, lowering his voice
chance mas thrown you upon the beach
Where live and wish it had thrown you
on IL DEAD. You Know l would not be here
Tor your sake, or because I want to see Won
myself. Before 1 say why 1 came here I
want you to tell me what you've been doing
since you disappeared, five years ago"
YOU" growled the man. won want to
know! You've wanted to know everything
since ever you first meddled with my af.
i ,sa You interfered about my marriage;
you made trouble for me after nv mar
riage: You bent my wife's mind against
me. You helped me to get away, that 1
might leave you free with my wi"
Silence! you blackguard!' yelled the
captain. and rising to his feet from the
chair, he shook his stick furiousy at the
otner. 4ou-you scoundrel! Don't say a
What right have you to. defend INV
wife," NY
The right of a mani! cried old Ted
The God-given right of a man to nrotect
all women against such as you! stand
back, Holloway! 1 don't care thar for
your pistol! Touch 1t and I'll knock yonr
brains OUT" N
The man was painting with rage, but the
skipper looked so determined in his wrath
that the other sank back in his chair.
''Pshaw Ted Guest!'' he growled "Tet
this thing drop. What do you want? IF
1t were not for one thing, of course I'd
know what brought you"
Goota night, eamaradoes." said voice
at the door, and the other man entered
the same who had prayed on the smack on
the night of the storm. Guest turned on
him sharply. The Unlocking wretch who
met his look smiled on him benignly.
Never mind him." said Holloway. "He
does not understand much English He
and I-you see, reDose special confidence
in such an old friend Che sneered). "have
had to get away from Cuba best We could
l don't know whether the Spaniards or
Americans wanted us worst-we PLAYED
with both. That's why we're here. Now,
as l was saying"
thing?"
Why, that Dolly's dead. If she were
not should say she sent YOU. I
heard of Dolly's death four years ago."
Ted Guest did not reDly IF this wera On