Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-12-27

without realizing what 1 said or how
said it
He was lying, of course. 1 knew it, and
he knew that | knew IT. There was some
strong, cogent reason back of that NO.
which shot it out like a bullet from rifle.
But If he didn't choose to give 1t TO me, L
couldn't exactly force 1t from him. one
can't well fight his friend for mere mat
ter of accent-particularly when that friend
is the only white man within a hundred
miles.
But though closed, the incident fingered
In my mind. / found it curiously impossible
to forget it. 1t was not that l was hurt or
Offended at the curt reply to my question;
my feeling was entirely impersonal-simply
a strong curiosity as to what it was that
prompted such a reply. 1t came back to
me again and again. and there was the
tone of hooking demon in it, saying ever:
Don't you wish you knew the riddle?" L
thought of it in the night; L thought Of it
many times during the monotonous march
next day. l began to be irritated by its
Federation and persistency. Curse it!'' l
said angrily, II won't think of it again; it's
sheerest idiocy"' But there was that little
demon, see-sawing back and forth with his
Internal question: Don't you wish you
knew? Don't you wish you knew"
thought back over Roberts life-what
knew of it personally and what he had told
me-for a possible clue. We had grown up
together in a pleasant little southern town
which now wears spruce dignity as
thriving city. After the college period we
had drifted apart. he into the law and
Into medicine, and had lost sight of each
other An infrequent letter or a casual
mention by mutual acquaintance had kept
US informed in general as to each others
course and career, but we hadn't met since
school days until month ago. Long treat
ment of other folks nerves had somewhat
shattered my own, and | was taking an ex-
TENDED vacation in journey around the
world. Imagine my delight to run across
Roberts out in that fascinating region least
OF SuGZ- whpra he hos iS i,-o r
where there amt no Ten Commandments
an a man can raise a thirst"
He had come from nowhere in particular:
was going nowhere in particular: simply
initiating certain discreditable parsonage
mentioned in the Book of Job in .'going to
and fro in the earth. and walking up and
down in It," That being the case wouldn't
ne Join me IN trip was projecting across
the Arabian peninsula. with horses and
guides, from Alden to Bassorah, at the head
OF the Persian gulf? Yes, he would, and
he did
So there You have us. Nothing remains
70 be said In this connection except the little
that Roberts told me about his life since our
separation. He had studied law and prac-
ticed for time with success in his native
town; but coming into large fortune-how
he didn't say-he had given up work and
had passed years In the gentle and delight
ful vaSabondage possible only to those who
are long of purse and short of family re-
probabilities and Obligations. He had never
NioLA-CN' MS PdieHiS were lOilS since dead.
he ha- been an only child: even of uncIes
aunts and cousins. with which every prop
erly constituted southern family is abun-
DAINTY supplied, he had none. He was crri-
ously, almost pathetically, alone in the
world. ~
Il verify believe he said one day with a
reflective smile. that there is not a single
human being with one drop of nv blood in
his veins. L'etat, c'est MOL 1 am the Rob
erts tree, root, trunk. branch and toprnost
leaf. When the Great Woodsman gets his
work in on me- there will not be So mncb
as twig left" To my remark about the
distinction OF solitude, he answered without
2 smile this time. 1T may be distinguished
put It's bit lonesome at times-just a bit
lonesome"
1t was the evening Of the second day after
that Roberts himself referred to the mat
ter. We had made camp eaten our dinner
and were now lying In our hammocks'
smoking through the brief eastern twilight
About that snappish answer of mine the
other night" he began. hesitatingly.
nat snappish answerT l asked In a
futiie pretence OF Ignorance and surprise.
y was really surprised: somehow had felt
rom the beginning that first or last we
should come to an understanding In the
matter. 40 Inc
mo use. Bluff well put I'D. but II von.t
cork You know well enough what / mean
you've been thinking Of It ever since"
How the deuce did you known / SIAM
4aered. fairly caught OF my guard in INV
Amusement. ~
e smiled his lazy. indifferent smile.
mo particular credit In being able to read
toen the writing II plain. Your face has