Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-05


out in ones own mind the most probable and
natural turn of the market,-to figure it out
carefully, till not single, solitary doubt re-
mained,- and then do just the opposite.
Valda applied this splendid principle to the
case of her respected parent, and, figuratively
speaking, put the dear old gentleman in Jail
on six separate and villainous charges,-all OF
which conclusively proved his spotless limo
cence.
Perhaps this was logically wrong; but if
there be any to condemn our young woman S
line of argument, pray let them remember that
among the legal records of our free and glorious
land Miss Nalda Girard is supported by thirty
seven thousand nine hundred and eightyone
tragic instances where judicial guns have gone
off half cock and peppered the wrong man
Vada did not know this. 1t was merely
feminine intuition; but, equipped she was
with this power OF divination, she might
have sat with honor on legal bench, or even
have lasted few days in Wall Street.
At any rate, in generating Marcus Girard,
she was forced to let Ormond'and Tracy out
also: but this of course, could not be helped
One earnest duty remained of fixing the
responsibility and the simple process OF
elimination fitted a black and white striped
suit to the athletic figure OF Morson-Brown:
The fact that the circumstances also pointed
strongly to his guilt caused friction with her
Wall Street scheme OF reason1ng yet, on the
other hand. it evened up certain other clrcum-
stances in connection with her fathers conduct
done to all four implicated parties.
Be that as it may, the self appointed Judge
had arrived at one hrm decision. Whether
Morson was Brown or Brown was Morson, he
had periured himself on the honor of a South
ern gentleman, and, with either name, he was a
reprobate. Therefore, she swore an oath her
self on the honor of a Northern lady, that no
matter what might happen no matter II he
proved himself to be a glltterlng angel on a
special visit from the Farther Shore,-he
hic Oe n end
hateful voyage!
60 she got up early to him start in. 1t
~ would be rather humorous, too, to watch
this swollen aristoCrat sinking about the deck
with his hat brim tilted forward to hide the
shame in his eyes Yes, 1t made her laugh even
to think about it, and for the first time there
seemed to arise prospects OF very agreeaoie
voyage indeed.
But if her iov consisted in the hops OF finding
him in a state of mournfully collapsed pride,
she was destined to disappointment. True,
his sailor hat was tilted, but not over his
shamed eyes. 1t was tilted-rakishly-
one unshamed ear. Also he did wear the de-
grading costume OF common seaman Out
Valda was forced to admit, even against the
powerful argument of woman S rage, that
he was just about the best looking thing that
it had ever been her misfortune to set eyes
upon. This was humiliating.
The suit, like the other seamen SUITS was
Of white duck, trimmed with narrow cOrdlng
of pale blue. The blouse was loosely cut. with
a wide collar that ran into deep v thus giving
glimpse Of his strong brown throat bove the
plastron which bore a miniature OF the SPIT
fires pennant in embroidered silk. The
trousers were snugly fitting about the hips
snug to the knee,-then hared away IN con-
ventional sailor style to his canvas shoes.
Morson-Brown not only looked well in 1t, he
looked splendidly in it, and seemed vastly
conscious of the fact. More irritating still, he
was polishing brass rail with a dirty rag, and:
to all outward appearances, took an actual
pride in the degrading work. 1t was positively
maddening!
The mistress OF the Spitfre passed him with
her nose in the air; that Is to say, she almost
passed him. for he tossed his polishing rag
aside and called her name, Even then she did
not intend stopping; but was SO taken aback
by his cool effrontery that she did his bidding
before she had time to think.
Miss Girard,' he said, i want word with
you"
This was more in the nature of an order than
a polite request; but Valda's stare Of icy
reproof seemed not to disconcert him in the
least, for he smiled and went straight on:
I've been thinking matters over,-l mean,
from your point of view,-and wish to say that
YOU are entirely right in everything you've
done"
Valda stared at him again, this time in sheer
amazement Was the man losing all his pride?
Did he now intend to grovel before her and