Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1906-09-01
Short Stories for Evening Hours
BLUFF THAT FAILED

and complacently reviewed his handi
work. I'm finish this line, and then
IN drop IT,"
The sun had long since set behind
the smoky haze of the town. and the
air was growing chill. An owl hooted
eerily from some distant woods. and
forlorn cur howled In reply As the
darkness deepened n parallelogram of
light from the open drawing room win.
dow frightened and brought bed Of
scarlet geraniums into vivid promi.
hence. Within some one played a
dreamy German volkslied, and Mr..
Trent felt that his day was closing
httingly.
He gathered up his gardening imple-
ments and stood gazing ut the pink
line Of sky, low in the west, a drowsy
vacancy in his expression. ;,
Gradually he became aware OF some
one standing at the little gate about
score of PAGES from where he stood
"a tall gaunt figure of man, mo.
tionless and spectral In the dusk. Then
he became conscious that the figure
was reckoning hlm-silently. mysterl-
ously.
Restraining an impulse to cbal.
Ienge the intruder, MIR. Trent dropped
his tools, with the exception Of a ser.
viceable hoe, and advanced to the
gate.
That's right" said the stranger re.
sssuringly In low tones. II did not
wish to reveal my presence to anyone
but yourself"
What do you WANT" asked Mr..
Trent. testify.
The man did not look like a tramp.
"A very brief conversation with
YOU" was the grave reply. 1T may
seem strange to you that should seek
an Interview thus but you will under.
stand when you have heard my story. -
Your story" exclaimed Mr.. Trent.
Let II be a short one!"
The stranger calmly opened the gate
and passed itno the garden: then, with
an expressive drop Of his voice wills.
pered:-
Your wife Is an Australian"
What does that matter to you?" re.
turned Mr.. Trent. grasping the hoe
fiercely.
stay" said the man. dramatically.
Hear me out! ! repeat, your wife is
an Australian. Before you married
her she was a Mrs. Cuncliffe. Is not
that so?"
You seem to have made yourself nc
quainted with matters which, as far
as ! can see, do not concern you In
the least" replied Mr.. Trent. vague
notions of unexnec,ed i.gac,a. ,as,,,
,np upon him wa re -, w..
yer's clerk or priya,a inouiry o.an, :,
Mr.. Tren, neersd n, hi, a,,as,,ons T..
the dim light and decided Tho, ha
looked cunning and o,a,nsh.,,n y"
enough for onvtbIny
Her first husband vas r,oa,, VA,
cII1s" oon,,n,,aJ ~ VOC ooseph ,"n'
low. emotionIass voIoo ga asa,.,,l :. u
Ballarat He wen, IN !, ma,no ~ -, 20
and was never heard oT aTterward. - ::
"ur Io.an,, c,,na,iu 80 MaIus'
in the wreck of the patagonia nm Tho
Great Barrier Reefs i'm tho JuIv n,
that year" said Mr. trent cmr,,.
But who are Won and wha, ia yoyr
business with me?"
81 will answer your ars, o,es,,o,.
the second can war was tho r.nI,
Joseph Cuncliffe was M, drownsd j.,
the Panagonia. for I am be,"
Mr.. Trent dropped the hoe and
glanced fearfully al the omen wipdow
the stranger watching him kecnIy
YOU"
81 am Josepb CuncIIfre" ren.atsd
the man. "Oi course Won wish IN
know what I propose m do no con,
tinued. seeming obliyious IN the fac,
tina. Mr.. Trent showed no Immediate
desire for further revelations
Mr.sTrent drew n deem breath and
made mo repIy NaanwbiIe ha ,.as,
thinking rapidly. The German sony
had given place TO musical comedS
selection.
"Myra and /"
"Myra," repeated Mr. Trent ou,ck,v
"Oh, yes. or course Won mean. Mrs
Trent"
The stranger smiled momeptor,Iv
I'VE will not discuss names ror tho
present. You know who I mean I'VE
never exactly hit IL together she and
I. She Is probably HAMMER with Won
than she would ever ha Win M.
have no wish TO disturb your domestic
naoca \, ,,,o,,ia A. ......,a...... a,