Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-04

just a wee bit. 1t may be that I'm trif1e
screwed, just trife, but you'll not mind
tbs an accident not habit
He caught up the tumbler of opalescent,
greenish-yellow liquor that stood at his ell
bow and smiled upon it fondly.
MY only friend" said he in that Won
derful deep tender voice of his-upon my
word he might have been making love
speeches to a sweetheart.
THE only friend out o. them all who've
stood by me, good times and bad. You've
never failed me yet. Gentlemen, I've wan
dered and I've fought from Caracas to
Ladysmith, and from kartum to Tien Tsin,
and I've chummed up with more people
than dare say, but on my faith in hea-
ven-if I've any left-theres never a man
o them has stuck by me, never a woman
butts played me false" He smiled down
upon the glinting liquor in the glass.
ITO the green devil, gentlemen he
cried, the green devil who stands by me,
fair weather or foul, who slaps me on the
shoulder when I'm down on me luck, who
takes me by the hand and leads me into
paradise when the worlds bitterest. To
the little green devil, who's a great green
god-may he ever reign!'
He tilted the glass till there remained
put half It's charge, and dropped back in
his chair with his chin upon his breast.
leaned over the table and laid a hand
upon his arm.
Mallory" said I, Mallory and shook
the arm gently. Pull together bit, man.
there's work forward. There's a great
game afoot risky game, Mallory, a des-
perate game such as you love. 1t wants a
clear head and a ready tongue, aye, and
ready arm too, mayhem the. event OF
certain contingencies. A bold mans want
ed, come, are you with us?"
MY only friend" said young Mallory
shaking his head sadly 1.-THE little green
oeVll who's great green god. Aye, a
great green god.' His voice died away
In murmurings, and his eyes saw beyond
US, far beyond the Cafe id'Alencon-into
paradise perhaps
Mackenzie was writing upon the back of
Vlsitina card. He beckoned waiter.
The pharmacy at the foot Of the Ave-
nue. du Maine" said he, land quickly"
ne Instance was short, and the man
was back in a few moments with a small
VIAL red labeled. Mackenzie poured a
few drops of the liquid into wine glass
OF water. 1t sent up keen and pungent
odor as of ammonia
Drink this" said he, setting the glass
DeIofe young Mallory And Mallory drank
his eyes still beyond us, far beyond the
Cafe d'Alencon.
But in moment the eyes returned,
narrowed, frowned a bit. He turned to
the Scotsman curiously
why, t is a queer drink your liquor,
man. uncommon nasty-and I owe you
small thanks; you've walked me from a
most delightful revery'
He smiled across at me-
You spoke of a game Creighton he
said. "a desperate game. heard all your
words but-well, the fact is. 1 was In
heaven at the moment, and returning was
not to be thought Of. A game, my boy!
Let's hear 1t. I'm none so sure but I'm
tired of games. Out with it,
l glanced at Mackenzie and Won Altdorf
and they nodded. And then, very briefly
and holding his eyes with mine. 1 told
young Mallory all the story of Prince
Karl of Novodnia and OF the unhappy
lady who had been made his wife. Once,
during the tale, he showed the wine glass
toward Mackenzie. never taking his eyes
from mine, and Mackenzie dropped into
1t bit of the pungent fluid from his little
vial. filled 1t up with water and nodded