Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1908-05-14
CHAPTER |


Peter Constable sat forward on the
main deck of his own yacht. the Madame
de Stael, which had just been hitched to
the bottom of Saint Pierre's harbor. His
single guest for the cruise. Hayden Breen,
was back in the cabin. with book ana
long, thin glass. Three weeks previously,
early in April, Constable had met Breen
for the first time. And of that meeting
you must hear.
1t came about some sixty hours before
the Madame cleared from New York mar
Dor, and a queer night for both men.
Constable had been pacing the deck alone,
when he heard a soft step below on the
Brooklyn pier. He bent over the railing,
and perceived that a stranger was about
to throw himself into the water.
Constable called sharply. The figure
at the pier edge stifened, and face
swung upward The two parleyed for
moment. and the voice that was borne
to Constable was that of a gentleman.
The man below hestated-considered-
then accepted with a laugh an invitation
to come aboard. Presently in the cabin
the owner of the Madame faced an lndi-
vidual tastefully, even freshly attlred,
and one whose manner betrayed no flaw.
The face was pale, imposing; reckless
face, but not Observation-Disclosures the eyes,
perhaps, had a look of having seen too
much For two hours the pair talked
about books. pictures, dollars, the tropics,
and suicide At the end. Constable was
so strongly impressed that he invited the
stranger to be his guest for the cruise.
Breen glanced at him whimsically. Il
wonder if l really did drop off the dock,
and this is the astral plane" he unused
This is the edge of Brooklyn, and I
am serious" Constable said.
This is the edge of Brooklyn, and l
am astonished,' Breen replied.
$50 far as l know, you would be my
only guest"
Had you better not wait until to-mor
row? Think again"
81 should prefer that you say yes
now"
Better hear more about me first. |
have spoken only in generalities. My past
is at your disposal" Breen warned
Il should like to hear much about you.
but not in the light of your decision. Will
you go with me?"
yes"
"Whcre do you intend to stay to-
night?"
you altered my only plan, you will
remember. Mr.. Constable"
.I'll have berth made up for you
at once. I'm glad you have found it pos
sible to look up the tropics again." the
owner finished.
Breen appeared content. and accepted
the various offices from his host with a
fine, half-humorous appreciation. Con-
stable found. in their early intercourse.
not the slightest cause to regret his i'm
pulsive invitation, That the other did
not harry him with references to his kind
ness was. to Constable's way of thinking.
the scverest test of Thoroughbred Breen
did not leave the ship, and seldom the
cabin, during the entire period of prepare
ton. He sat in reclining chair and
read the cssayistS mildly spirited What
ever had been his attitude before, he &C
ccpted what life offered him now in calm
ness. He still had the jaded humans
last resource, when this unexpected but
pleasant portion of life was at an end.
Such seemed TO be the philosophy of this
creature who had passed the death SEN
tence upon himself.
Constable slept aboard the last night
before sailing, and was at breakfast with
his guest about eight in the morning.
when a servant entered the saloon to an
nounce that a gentleman on the pier
wanted to speak with Mr.. Constable's
friend Breen set his coffee cup down
slowly, and his eyes met his hosts.
"Mr. Constable" he said, you have
noted, no doubt, that | have remained
under cover rather closely since our in
teresting meeting. There is no one in
New York whom | care to see. but the
person out yonder feels differently to-
ward me. In fact, he is very much alb
sorbed in my movements. | happened to
!, step to the railing a few minutes before
breakfast. and caught his eye. The truth
Is, If see him now, he will persuade
me to go with him. and | would much
rather accompany you"
what would you advise?" Constable
asked quickly.
with YOUR interests at heart. | can
only advise you to bid me good-by and
allow me to thank you for many genuine
courtesies. Perhaps you remember that
I offered TO outline my past, and you de-
TERED me for the time being
II want you to go, of course. What is
the simplest way 10 manage this?'
..lIow soon do You sail?"
Constable went to the speaking tube
and called Captain Negley. A moment
Ia+ar he turned 70 Breen with the in
formation that the Madame was just
readv to clear. and would be put off as
quietly and quickly as possible. The ser