Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-01-28
"THE NEAREST THING"

On the white buildings that constr
tuted the quarters of the Universe
Telegraph ompany's station at Mar
enzoa the tropical sun was blazing
down. It was called Marenzoa, though
as a matter of fact a distance OF three
miles separated it from the little
Portuguese town inland, from when
the station took it's name.
In the dim light of the living-room
were two young men. One was
stretched full length on sofa; his
eyes were closed. The other reclined
in a basket chair, his feet propped UP
on a stool. A bottle of spirits stood
on table close by. He stretched for
ward a shaking hand and poured out
half a tumblerful.
Brickenden, the man on the sofa,
opened his eyes. He shivered slightly.
Thank heaven. I'm through with
this weeks dose!" he exclaimed.
what a first-class all-around joy is in
termittent fever!" Then his eyes
fell on his companion, who was in the
act Of raising his glass to his lips.
''Here, go easy, Stavvy!" he cried.
That's the third since lunch, and it
don't do in a sweet, lovable climate
like this! You'll have TO stop Il. Ga
son, else-well, it is equivalent to go
ing out by your own hand, that's all; !"
Stavert gulped down half the
brandy. He was a young man of about
%, with strikingly handsome features.
Fever and hard drinking, however,
had told their tale, and the eyes were
sunken and red trimmed. the cheeks
hollow, the face haggard and worn.
''There doesn't seem to be any par
ticular drawback to going out by my
own hand at present." he remarked.
mo, I'm burned it there does!" he
added thoughtfully.
Brickenden raised himself on the
sofa, and looked across at his friend.
81 admit Marenzoa is a bit "nervy'
at times, and about the worst of the
stations!" he said slowly "But it
ton, all by it's sweet self" He
paused. II suppose there are few
other things, among them the usual
thing. And the bits diGn't fit in nice
ly, eh?"
stavert tossed down the remaining
brandy
ut was impossible in any easel" he
said jerkily. Then he broke into a
harsh laugh. give never told you my
little story, have /, Brick? l don't
make habit of doing it, you know
He got up from his seat shakily and
leaned against the edge of the table
Brickenden watched him from the
corner of his eye, but said nothing.
tits quite like 2-penny novelette, .
began Stavert, rolling cigarette med
itatively. my mother made runaway
match with poor devil of an artist.
She was woman Of title and be-
longed to a noble family, who prompt
ly disowned her for daring to marry
the man she loved. She was absolutely
cut off; her name was never to be
mentioned again in the family The
az fist, my father, worked hard and
managed to keep her in modest but
comfortable circumstances. They
loved one another, and I don't think
she ever regretted the step she had
taken" Stavert paused. "Then, when
I was about Is, I found myself an
orphan, with an odd hundred pounds
to my name. My great idea had been
the navy, and friend wrote to my
uncle, who was lord of the admir-
atty, to know if he would help me.
The dear entleman replied that. as he
refused to recognize his sister, so he
must refuse to recognize her son.
Then some one suggested the u. T.
c. service, and put me in the way Of
going through the course
But" interposed Brickenden, what
about the impossible thing-the in
cident which has caused you to adopt
drinking brandy neat as your favo-
rite recreation?"
Stavert wetted his dry lips.
After putting in my five years at
Calcut Point. / went home. I had Q
pretty good time knocking around. In
the midst of it l went to Cowes for
the regatta week. ran against some
decent people, who Invited me on
their yacht" He paused. "And there
Il met her!"
'It was my fathers case over again.
but without his means to carry it t.
an issue. She was clean above me in
station. She loved me, and I loved her.
1t was mad time!" He sighed softly