Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-15

the Morning Star; but it is that or
nothing.
Il had been in Luzon three days when l
came face to face with man in the uniform
of a Lieutenant in the United States army.
He was my wife's brother, who had been at
West Point during my trial. could not tell
him the truth, nor could l make a target of
him in the subsequent encounter at the edge
of canefeld. He shot me through the
breast and left me, as he supposed, dead,
thinking, no doubt, that he had stamped out
viper.
@But why continue? The story is told.
am living now and shall 60 on living, the
life of sailor with the drudgery and pol
luted air of the forecastle, the foulness and
obscenities and the hard knocks A better
sailor does not exist. l know more of navi-
cation and seamanship than any officer l
have ever sailed with. l have been offered
every berth from Captain to bo'sn, and re-
fused them all. Some day may be tempted
again to brave the Specter of Unrest; but
think not. / have chosen the manner of my
death, and when l hear the voice of ambition
calling again, irresstibly, it will be time.
The waves will sing the requiem of Bill
Somers, able seaman. That's little touch
of cheap sentiment, Mr.. Randall, to wind
up the story
He looked at his watch with start
3Why," said he, cts seven o'clock! And
look. it is broad daylight! must be off.
My ship sails in an hour or two. Thank
you, no breakfast, and no more Scotch. You
may think it strange and enigmatical as
parting shot, Mr.. Randall; but am con-
WINGED we shall meet again in other circum-
stances. Ill say an revoir, and thank you
for your federation and your hospitality"
He wrung my hand hastily and was off.
L. x1. e.
of Somerset's demon and thinking over
his strange story. l have gazed upon it and
thought many times since. 1t was fitting
souvenir of this man of uneasy spirit, per-
secuted by the thing we call Public Opinion,
obliged to keep in check his valuable talents
and his latent greatness, lest he be bounded
forth, disgraced and discredited. The tale
haunted me as the man himself had fasci-
mated me, especially as recalled the eulogies
l had heard of Somerset, the artist, during
my student days. 1 had never heard nor
read of the murder trial; but it had hap
pened at date when was out of touch with
newspapers. Truly strange story
My Chinese cook brought me coffee and
extinguished the futile lights. grew drowsy
and nodded in my chair. Presently reused
myself heroically, retired to the bedroom,
and fell into an uneasy sleep, troubled by
the face in charcoal and dreams of the latter
day Ahasuerus who had been my guest.
1t was late afternoon when l awoke and
dressed. The thoughtful All Toy had pre-
pared meal and beside my plate lay an
afternoon paper and my mail. l unfolded
the paper and ran my eye over it casually,
till my attention was held by halftone pho
tograph on an inside page. Something about
it Jared upon my recognition. 1t was
mans face. He wore no beard he appeared
younger man; he was clothed in the con-
ventional garb of gentleman; yet the eyes,
the broad forehead, and the general express
sion were exactly those of the man who had
introduced himself at my door as Bill Som
ers, able seaman. "Mr Carroll Somers, the
famous actor said the appended article,
"arrived in Honolulu on the Manchuria on
his way to New York, and will remain here
several days. Mr.. Somers has retired from
the stage, it is said with fortune. He has
a charming home at New Rochelle on Long
Island Sound, and devoted family to whom
his retirement has been good news indeed.
Mr.. Somers began life as an artist; but
forsook a promising career for the glamour
of the footlights. He will return to his
first love and devote the rest of his life to
painting. In private life and to his friends
Mr. SOroerS ic known Archibald SOrner.