Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-17

The two men leaned over the rail on
the pier at Port Tampa and watched a
school of angel fish float through the
lmpid green waters. Now and theh d
sudden splash drew their eyes to line
of outlying piles, one in the row Oh
placid pelcans plunged heavily beneath
the waves, to founder out again with
sea trout that shone silver where the sun
struck 1t. The air from the shore, ira
grant with the scent of orange blossoms
mingled with the salt breezes from the
gulf There was a rose, fresh picked, In
Herrick's buttonhole, and Alexander wore
white duck.
Not much like Christmas said the lit
tie man.
But Herrick was looking off toward the
horizon, where faint line of smoke was
etched against the sunset, and he did not
answer.
mo horns. no holly. no snow, no
crowds" Alexander complained. Just
palms and palmettos, poinsettas and pine
apples. Herrick, did you ever notice how
alliterative Florida is? When l write my
book | shall call it the land of moss, moe
casins and miasma, OF yachts, Yankees
and yams-oh. listen. isn't this great,
Where are the yams of yester-year-
Herrick broke in. rudely on the others
nonsense MY wife is on. that steamer
he said, still watching the line of smoke
possible for a man interrupted in the
midst of an inspiration.
Il haven't seen her for nearly a year."
said Herrick.
sick ?" asked the journalist.
NO"
'sightseeing?"
No
.Hum-separation?" Alexander put the
question jokingly, then had the grace to
blush at his bad taste
But Herrick did not seem to resent his
curiosity. Yes, separated he said,
slowly "and she doesn't know am to be
here, but couldn't wait"
He was straining his eyes toward the
distant black dot. his big figure drawn up
to its fullest height. His hat was off and
the evening wind blew against his strong,
eager face and rutfled the dark red curls
on his massive head
Alexander dropped down on a pile of
cordage and wrote things in his note
book.
"Oh, sit down." he urged Herrick pres
entity. sit down. If you stand like that
until the boat gets here you'll petrify Sit
down.
Herrick gave a short laugh II believe I
am excited he said, but then you know
haven't seen her for a year
Her? Who?" Alexander said distracted
ly he was deep in his notes again. ''Oh,
your wife. Is she .pretty?'
''She is beautiful" There was a long
pause during which Alexander still scrib-
bled and Herrick gazed across the dividing
waters. Then he broke out fervently,
love! she was lovely that last night with
her eyes blazing and her cheeks as red as
fire. l didn't know she had 1t in her. l
might as we'll tell you all about it,, he went
on. I've got to talk to somebody. and If
you won't listen I'll talk to the little
fishes"
"Oh, let the fishes off, said Alexander,
resignedly, and put up his pencil.
But Herrick did not begin at once. In
stead he stuck his hand into inner
pocket and brought out blue leather case.
He touched a spring with his thumb.
That's her Christmas present" he said,
and held # toward his staring friend
Diamonds" cried the little man. You
bloated millionaire"
No. said Herrick quietly Il am nothing
Of the kind. 1 am rising lawyer on a
small income"
Then how"
Did 1 get them? 1 worked for them,