Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1909-01-02
CHAPTER I.

Peter O. nstable sat forward on the
main deci Of his own yacht, the Madame
de Stael, syhich had just been hitched to
the bottom of Saint Pierres harbor. His
single gust for the cruise, Hayden Breen,
was back In the cabin, with book and a
long, thin glass. Three weeks previously,
early in april, Constable had met Breen
for the first time. And Of that meeting
you mrsl hear.
1t came about some sixty hours before
the Mad me cleared from New York har-
Dor, aad a queer night for both men.
Constable. had been pacing the deck alone,
when he heard a soft step below on the
Brooklya pier. He bent over the railing,
and perc sived that a stranger was about
to throw himself into the water.
Cohsts BILE called sharply. The figure
at the pier edge stiffened, and a face
swung upward. The two parleyed for a
moment, and the voice that was borne
to Cons able was that of a gentleman.
The ms below esitated-considered-
theI &C, epted with a laugh an invitation
to como aboard. Presently in the cabin
the OWE sr of the Madame faced an indi-
VIDAL, tastefully, even freshly attired,
.
The face was pale. imposing; reckless
face, but not evastated-though the eyes,
perhaps had look of having seen too
much. For two hours the pair talked
about Joks, pictures, dollars, the tropics,
and su! eide. 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. 81
wonder If really did drop off the dock,
and this is the astral plane" he mused.
This is the edge of Brooklyn, and l
am SCI ious,' Constable said.
9Th s is the edge of Brooklyn and
am as onished,' Breen replied.
$50 far as l know, you would be my
only lest"
"Htd you better not wait until to-mor-
row? Think again"
81 should prefer that You say yes
now
II tier hear more about me first.
have spoken only in generalities. My past
Is at your disposal" Breen warned.
81 should like to hear much about you
but lot in the light of your decision. VII
you 20 with met"
"Yes."
"Where do you intend to stay to
night?"
You altered my only plan, you will
remainder. Mr. Constable"
"I'll have berth made up for you
at once. I'm glad you have found 1t pos
sible to look up the tropics again" the
owner finished.
Rreen appeared content, and accepted
tha various Offices from his host with q
fnt. half-humorous appreciation. Con.
stable found. in their early intercourse
not the slightest cause to regret his i'm
puk lve invitation That the other die
not harry him with references TO his kind
nes, was TO Constable's way Of thinking
the sevcrest test Of a thoroughbred. Breer
did not leave the ship. and seldom thu
CABIN, during the entire period Of prepare
ton. He sat in o reclining chair anc
read the essayists. mildly spirited. What
ever had been his attitude before, be &C
cepted what life offered him now In calm
neas. 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 thi'
creature who had passed the death sen
tence upon himself.
Constable slept aboard the last nigh
before sailing. and was at breakfast with
hit guest about eight in the morning
when servant entered the saloon to an