Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-07-18
CHAPTER v.
Ashes,

AS the driver skillfully swung the mo-
tor car inc Broadway Rhode twisted and
leaned back over his seat to address Crit
tenden, who now occupied the tonneau
in lonely state.
You in any rush to get home?"
NO" said Crittenden. pleasantly.
Rhode stared somberly at an open troll
ley car they were passing. Then he nod
ded abruptly, ejectfng a huge cloud OF
, sitting smoke. Alright" said he.
A few minutes later the car slackened
speed and swept to a standstili by the
! curb, a block or two north Of 34th street.
u AS Crittenden stepped out he was
aware that Rhode. on the sidewalk by
the drivers seat, was thumbing over an
impressive bundle of bills. Presently dis
covering one Of the right denomination,
he stripped 1t OF and presented it to the
chauffeur.
That's right, huh?" he inquired.
The driver inspected the legal tender
narrowly. approved it and stuffed it in
his pocket with curt nod Right, he
said, ''g'night.''
Rhode turned away. Come on over
to the Marlborough and have a drink. !"
he said, embarrassed. Il got somethin'
wanta say to YOU"
Crittenden assented amiably. quietly
amused.
Anyway" volunteered the Red Man.
abruptly defensive, in the act of pushing
wide the swinging doors-"Anyway. 1t
was my car so longs 1 paid for it. huh?
That's all anybody can do-pay for a
thing
surely" agreed Crittenden. without
But the thought seemed to rankle in his
companions BOSOM Some time after
they had found seats at a table he broke
a spell Of taciturnity with the observa-
ton:
"A man that buys one Of them cars
and pays for it keeps a fool. when he's
True said Crittenden. Intensely d.
verted. he watched Rhode toss up his
glass, and, with far more evidence of en-
joyment than he ordinarily betrayed, in
ject into his system a full-grown drink
of red whisky.
You said you had something you
wished to talk to me about
'Yeh." Rhode pushed aside his empty
glass and frankly wiped his lips on the
r rs.n ID s That girl" he demanded
what d'you know about herr
Just as much as she told you-not a
thing more"
Rhode concentrated a hard, blue stare
on the young mans face. Funny" he
averred. You wouldn't take her for the
kind you could pick up without a knock
down.
L shouldn't advise anybody to attempt
IL,
cred a moment, then briefly narrated the
circumstances under which he had made
Cynthia's acquaintance. rs there any
thing else you need to known" he con-
cluded.
The inventor Of occupations shook his
head morosely. NO" he rumbled: Il
had a bunch 1t happened like that, but
wanted to be sure. A fellow in my lines
gotta be careful who he takes up with"
But are your Crittenden's surprise
was patent.
Careful? You bet l ami said Rhode,
with an emphasis that drew the eyes Of
the room.
II wouldn't think So
You wouldn't, huh? 1 guess you've
got an idea l go stumbling around with
my eyes shut. just because I happened
to speak TO- e.. you without a letter of in
What would you think II you were
I'D think hard, that's what I'd think
amt In business for my health; I gotta
know everythin' about the people I do
ted you two weeks ago, but I knew al
about you before I as much as looked
cross eyed at you
Indeed" said Crittenden, civilly
Yes. indeed, / did. I got q line on
You that showed me just what kinda
fellow you was
And your sources OF Information:
| We'll, that waiter Jean told me your
name. The rest was easy, considerin'
what you've been in this town. A man
don't hit Broadway as hard as you did
q couple years ago without leaving his
mark on It,"
Now you are interesting" said Crit
ten ts srnad ano May ask just what you
Sure. Here :" Rhode delved into
one Of his pockets and brought out its
store of folded documents. running
through which rapidly he selected an
/ n donu al aor ri
gularly fine handwriting "How's this,
now?" He began to read: Born, Bal
timore. 1883. Educated U. of P. Came
to WORK 1901. First job. clerk in law
street. Nineteen-five, on your own, writ
ing stories and books. Nineteen-eight,
wrote q show called 'Bridge'-made q pot
Of money. Next year. another show,
called 'Faustine' That fell down. Since
then you haven't been doing anything"
Rhode paused. met Crittenden's glance
and looked hastily away.
Go on said Crittenden, in a level
| tone.
THAT'S ALL"
That's not all you have written down
| there
| mo :" Rhode admitted reluctantly.
He looked down at the envelope In his
hand then. with quick movement Of his
halves together and tore it again and
| again. 1.-The rest Of it's none Of my bust
ness" he growled, surlily, as the clouds
Of scraps drifted from his hand to the
| floor.
| For several moments neither spoke
| The Red Man employed the time with
the trimming and lighting Of q fresh
cigar. Crittenden sat staring at his
1 glass; then slowly his face regained it's
| normal coloring and his eyes their calm
And on the strength Of that" he said
| you feel justified In Offering me g. job
Sure" assented the other, visibly re-
lieved.
Just what kind Of job, precisely?'
"Well - we gotta have a purser-,
ION the Cynthia, late Cidonia? That's
q position Of some responsibility, isn't
"Yeh." admitted Rhode. family alb
And you have that much confidence in
me?"
Il amt worryin' about you You're all
right"
Then suppose you go step farther
and tell me what this Is all about?"
But the red head was shaken in slow
but firm negation. Il told you this after
noon," said Mr.. Rhode. sadly. you'll be
told everything good for you to know
once we get clear Of New York"
Realising he would have to be content
with this. Crittenden refrained from
pressing the inquiry. But after q mo-
ment, colored by the Red Mans air OF
gentle melancholy, he saw fit to inquire:
And Nine. Savaran?"
In confusion.
Whats your interest in Nine. Sa-
varan?"
"Oh. Won don't gotta worry about her -