The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-10-29

 1 up to that time been the merest hobby. At the moment, however, l was too much concerned at the sudden illness of my host to think of anything else.
 !" I hope that I have said nothing to pain you?' said l.
 Well, you certainly touched upon rather tender point. Might l ask how you know, and how much you know? He spoke now in half-jesting fashion, but a look of terror still lurked at the l back of his eyes.
 " It is simplicity itself said I, when you barred your arm to draw that fish into the boat I saw that J. A. had been tattooed in the bend of the elbow The letters were still legihle, but it was per fectly clear from their blurred appearance and from the staining of the skin around them that efforts had been made to obs l literate them. It was obvious, then, that those initials had once been very familiar to you, and that you had afterward wish ed to forget them
 What an eye you havel' he cried with a sigh of relief. It is just as you say. But we won't talk of it. Of all ghosts the ghosts of our old lovers are the worst Come into the billiard room and have a quiet cigar
 From that day, amid all his cordiality there was always a touch of suspicion | in MT. Trevors manner toward me. Even his son remarked it. You've given the governor such turn he remarked, that | he'll never be sure again of what you know and what you don't know He did not mean to show it, I am sure. but il was so strongly in his mind that it peep ] ed out at every action. At last I became | so convinced that 1 was causing him un- easiness that I drew my visit to a close On the very day, however, before I left an accident occurred which proved in the sequel to be of importance
 We were sitting out upon the lawn on garden chairs, the three of us, baskine in the sun and admiring the view across the Broads, when maid came out tc say that there was a man at the dool who wanted to see MT. Trevor.
 Q" What is his name?' asked my host.
 He would not give any
 What does he want, then?'
 He says that you know him, ant that he only wants a moments conver sation.'
 Show him around here.' An instant afterwards there appeared a little wizenet | fellow with cringing manner and 2 | shambling style of walking He wore ar open jacket, with a splotch of tar on tn, sleeve, red-and- black check shirt, dun garee trousers, and heavy boots badl, | worn. His face was thin and brown anC | crafty, Wltn a perpetual smile upon II which showed an irregular line of yellow teeth, and his crinked hands were hal closed in a way that is distinctive O sailors. As he came slouching across th' lawn I heard Mir. Trevor make a sort O | hic-coughing noise in his throat, and jumping out of his chair, he ran into thu house. He was back in a moment, anS smelt a strong reek of brandy as h' passed me.
 "'Well. my man. said he, What cal I do for you?'
 "The sailor stood looking at him witt puckered eyes, and with the same loose tipped smile upon his face.
 "'You don't know me-? he asked.
 ".Why, dear me, 1t is surely Hudson, said MT. Trevor in a tone of surprise.
 Hudson it is, sir said the seaman Why, it's thirty years and more since saw you first. Here you are in your hous and me still picking my saft meat out o the harness cask.
 "He met me with the dog cart at the sta forgotten old times cried MT Trevor and, walking towards the sailor, he sai, something in a low voice. Go into tn kitchen he continued out loud, and vol will get food and drink. I have no doub that I shall find you a situation
 Thank you. sir said the seaman touching his forelock. Pm just off two yearer in an eight-knot tramp, short handed at that, and I wants rest. thought I'd get 1t either with MT Beddoe or with you.
 ".Ahr cried MT. Trevor. You knov where MT. Beddoes is?'
 Bless you, sir. I know where all m.