Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-06-10
Copyright. 1905. by crittcnden MarriOtt)

Two men leaned against the rail and look
ed into the west. Though mere acquaint-
ances, thrown together by the chances Of
travel they were strkingly alike and might
be mistaken for brothers The older man.
however, bore on his face the unmistakable
marks of dissipation.
For some little time they stood in ST.
lence. each absorbed in his own thoughts.
The elder was plainly nervous Two or
three times he opened his mouth to speak
and closed It again with the words unut-
tered. At last he broke out: Look here
Stafford. you and 1 don't know each other
any too well. do we?
Stafford looked slightly amused. Well
Drake" he replied. seeing that we never
met until we came on board this ship a
month or so ago in Rio Janerio, / guess
you're about right
Exactly. And most white men one meets
knocking about down yonder''-he vaguely
indicated the direction of the Southern
CroSS-'are rather-er-queer fellows with
damaged regulations and all that eh?"
Stafford nodded. quite So" lie respond
ed, glancing curiotsly at his companion.
so you'll understand that I've considered
very seriously before making up my mind
to say what I'm going to say. and that
do so solely because I've taken a rema rk-
able fancy to you
Have you, old man? That's awfully good
of YOU. There was no apparent note of
mockery in his voice. but the other flushed
1T is quite true. he said, somewhat test
lily. IN not talking for effect, but with a
purpose. l never saw such fellow for
making friends. Everybody on the ship
likes you-and most of them don't like me-
Really old man"
That's why I'm going to tell you some
thing about myself and ask you to help me
Suppose we sit down.
Stafford nodded and Sea cd bfpocaIf
deck chair. "All ready he said. Fire
away"
For moment Drake was silent. evidently
bordering over how to begin Then he
plunged in. Fifteen years ago" he began,
Il quarreled with my great uncle who had
brought me up from baby, He said | was
going to the dogs and that l must stop. He
was about right, l guess but l was too big
a fool to take advice. and the upshot was
that l left home, and haven't been back
since. | had just inherited some money,
which, with what I've earned, has lasted me
ever since-a good while considering every
thing. However, nothing lasts forever and
month or so ago l reached the end of my
rope. l was just wondering whether /
should step out by the water the pistol
route when l received batch of letters
from home One from my uncle's law
yer, who inclosed $500 and asked me to
come home. He said that my uncle was old
and could live only little while longer, and
that he wanted to see me. He had lot of
of II to a great-niece, my second cousin
Margaret. but had not made up his mind
what TO do with the rest. If I turned out
to be the man he hoped he would give IL
TO me; if not, he would leave il to the So
ciety for providing red blankets for little
cannibals-or something of the sort
Stafford looked interested. Rather de-
cent of him, l should say" he remarked.
''Will II run to much?'
The money? My half would be more
than million-perhaps a good deal
more"
"Whew! That's worth having"
Rather" returned the other, grimly
especially when it's a question of life or
death. 1t is to me. I'm too old to start
TO make my way in the world now, and If
I fail in this I'll blow out my alleged
brains that's all. And 1 will fail. l feel
1t. Great Scott! Look at me- Do I look
like a man any one would trust a million
dollars to? Can't you see the mark of the