Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1904-12-03

brdy lOOkeu tOun1 Sharply WheD ne
heard the door open.
Why, Fifoot, old chap! How are
you this long timer
I'm all right. Teddy" Fifoot said
with a laugh that tangled.
Bray could see at once that his friend
was not "oll right" by any means. In
fact, he felt disconsolate at the evident
breakup Of this unfortunate friend
of his. But he said cheeriiy:
I'm glad to see you, can tell you
I've been wondering what the deuce
had happened"
'Oh, IL things had been going on ali
right I'd have answered your letters
Then things have been going awk
ward?'
NO" laughed Fifoot irresponsibly
mo. Teddy, old man. They've been go
ing beautifully--never better. They'll
never give me any more trouble"
What"
i've finished with everything"
Bray did not like this attitude at all
sit down. won't your" said he, try.
ing to gain time for definite action.
NO" returned Fifoot. i've got nc
time I've only come to bid you good
bye"
What the deuce do you mean?"
Nothing more nor less" said Fifoot
He staggered with weakness. And
Bray saw that he meant a great deal
more.
He went close up to Fifoot and look
ed steadily into his eyes. Fifoot fell
back in his weakness, tripped and
nearly fell. Bray caught him around
the middle and held him up. And Ia
doing that his left hand, going under
the others coat, touched something In
the hip pocket which sent q cold chill
through Bray--much like one which
the cold muzzle to his forehead had
given him.
He steadied his friend upon his feet
Then he said quietly:
DO you want to take revolver with
you on your Journey"
Fifoot. laughed.
What are you talking about, Ted
dy?"
you have shooter In your pocket? p
Yes" said Fffoot fercely. and hi
pulled 1t out.
Where are you going ,then?"
ITO hell"
Bray turned pale, but wished to hide
bis horror.
What's your hurry?" he said. with
an attempt to smile.
Where else can go?" demanded the
other man frantically. Everything
else of mine is gone there. I've worked
I've failed. I've tried-tried again,
did not succeed. The rhyme always
came wrong in my case. But I shall
make 1t ring all right this time"
Bray only looked at his friend. II,
could not find an answer. He knew
the man for a hard worker-alway,
With hard luck: one of those who strug
gle up within reach OF the top rung o,
the ladder, then slip down to the bot
tom again.
But don't give way yet" Bray said
all the time trying to think OF some
thing worth saying.
Fifoot laughed.
What is the use of It? I'm beaten.
"A man is never beaten till he give,
up fighting" his friend said, and h,
locked down at the revolver
We'll this-this is the last round
and shall win"
The jeering intonation had a mos
appalling effect upon Bray. He knew
the other man meant what he said
What could he do to turn away hi
thoughts?
He Misunderstanding how the lee
had terrified himself-would the sam
tone affect the other man In the sam
way. The experiment was a dangerou
one. But man under such a strai,
does not always think and do the RICH
thing.
We'll, Fifoot," said Bray, you ar
making lot OF talk about IL. VIII,
don't you do 1t out of hand?"
The effect was totally a wrong one
Certainly the sneer made Fifoot calm
but the calm was much worse than tn
storm.
did not mean TO talk. Teddy, oil,
friend Fifoot said, slowly and auie,
ly. Il would rather have finished will
the business, without a word to an,
creature on the earth. But you ono
said, Teddy, you would give your lif
Tor mine any time. was always fon,
Of you. couldn't help coming 10 sa,
goodbye to you, Teddy. Now. that
finished. No more needs be said"
lie turned sharply to 30 away.
Bray got between him and the wa
out.
You shant go yet" said he. He pu
his back to the door and faced hi
friend.
Fifoot held the revolver in his RICH
hand. His momentary calmness hat
Gone. His eyes started, and his lin,
ouiyered. He raised the shinin,
weapon.
There's six deaths in it," he cried in
his frenzy. by heaven! II! give YOU
one as we'll as myself IL you don't gel
away from that door"
Brays feelings at that moment made