Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-02

Rutton returned to his chair. making a
visible effort to shake of his preoccupa-
ton. Its an ugly night out there
Lucky you blundered on this place. Tell
me how it happened What became OF
the other man-your friend?
The thought of Quain stabbed Amber s
consciousness with a mental pang as keen
as acute physical anguish. He jumped
up in torment. "God.' he cried, choking
ly I'D forgotten. He's out there on
not drowned. Our boat went adrift some
how; Quain would insist on going after
her in leaky old skiff we found on the
shore and didn't come back.
cluded I'd make try to cross to Shamp-
ton by way of the tidal bar. And 1
must"
ITS impossible" Rutton told him with
grave sympathy.
But 1 must think of his wife and
children. Rutton! There's chance yet
a bare chance; he may have reached the
boat. II he did. every minute / waste
here is killing him by inches: he'll die
Of exposure! But from shampton we
THE tide fulls about midnight tonight. -
interrupted Rutton, consulting his watch.
Its after 9-and there's heavy surf
breaking over the bar now. BY 10 it'll
be impossible. and you couldn't reach it
before IL. Be content, David; you're
You're right know that" groaned
Amber, his head in his hands. II was
afraid it was hopeless. but-but-"
II know. dear boy, I know
With a gesture of despair Amber re-
sumed his seat. For some time he re-
manned deep sunk in detection. At
length. mastering his emotion, he looked
up How did you know about Quain-
that we were together" he asked.
"Doggott saw you land this morning.
and I've been watching you all day with
my field glasses. prepared to take cover
the minute you turned my way. Don't
be angry with me. David; it wasn't that
I didn't yearn to see you face to face
again. but that 3" 4" didn't dare"
"Oh. that" exclaimed Amber. with an
exasperated fling of his hand. Between
the two OF you-you and Quain-you'll
drive, me mad with worry"
say more. 1t hurts bit to have you
doubt me-"
II don't doubt" Amber declared. In
desperation: lat least, 1 mean l won't
IL you'll be sensible and let me stand by
and see you through this trouble-what-
ever IL is
Rutton turned to the fire. his head
dropping despondently. THAT may not
be-" he said. heavily. THE greatest serv-
ice you can do me is to forget my exist
friendship from the tablets of your
memory, pass me as a stranger should
our WAYS ever cross again He hicked
the stub of a cigarette into the flames.
'kismet. - mean that. David. from
my heart. Won't you do this for me
one last favor. old friend?"
I'll try; I'll even promise. on condition
that you send me word If ever you have
need Of me-"
That will be never"
LII send for you if ever 1 may. David,
promise faithfully. And in return ]
have your word?"
Amber nodded.
Then ." Rutton attempted to di-
vert the subject. II think you said Quain?
Any relation to Quain's Aryan Invasion
Of India'?''
THE same man. He asked me down
for the shooting-owns a country place
across the bay-Tanglewood."
"A very able man: wish might have
met him. -" What of yourself? What
have you been doing these three years?
Have you married?"
I've been too busy to think Of that.
mean till lately"
"Ah?'
Amber flushed boyishly There was a
girl at Quains-a guest. But she
left before / dared speak. Perhaps it
was as WELL
"why?-
Because she was too fine and sweet
and good for me, Rutton."
Like every mans first love-
The elder mans glance was keen-too
keen for Amber to dissimuiate success
fully under it. You're right he ad-
mitted. ruefully. Its the first sure
enough trouble of the sort I ever ex-
perienced. And. Of course, it had to be
hopeless
"Why?" persisted Rutton.
"Because-I've half a notion there's a
chap waiting for her at home"
AT homer
I'm England The need for a conf
dant was suddenly imperative upon the
younger man. "She's an English girl
half English, that is: her mother was an
American, a schoolmate of Quain's wife;
her father, an Englishman In the Indian
service"
Her name!
Sophia Farrell" peculiar quality. a
certain tensity, in Rutton's manner forced |
itself upon Amber's attention. "Whyrl
he asked. do you know the Farrells
What's the natter" |
Rutton's eyes met his stonily: out Of |
the ashen mask Of his face. that sudden |
ly had whitened beneath the brown, they /
glared. afire but unseeing His hands