Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-08

was withdrawn and dropped by his side.
All had passed in the time the high-pow-
cred car with the four men took to make at
the top of its speed a hundred yards. Dalton
brought up in the shortest distance. Will
marth Dalton, Southby, and Wellesley
sprang out. simultaneously they gathered
about Grafton, who had not moved from
lips were blue with the cold of the nights
drive. His hands were red and swollen. Of
everybody except the girl he appeared ut
terly unaware. His eyes were fixed on her
with unmoving intensity.
why are you all here?" and she looked at
Wilmarth helplessly for explanation and as
if in sudden appeal for help.
II came began Grafton abruptly, "be
cause was going away. | am going away.
wanted to say goodby-a morning call, he
laughed shortly and brokenly. am off in
the first steamer-yes- that's it, l want to
wish you good fortune and happiness.
"Thank you, Mr. Grafton" she said
calmly enough; but she looked at him with
some anxiety.
"Just wanted to see you before went. he
continued in a dull voice. "Going to Java
they say the center of the islands the only
unknown place left. Only came to see you
before l started, that's all
He turned, and almost as if in flight made
his way down the steps, and casting himself
into the automobile, the engine of which
was grinding on, set the car in motion. In
second he was away and out of sight.
THE smoking room of the Earthania was
deserted. Indeed, only two groups
were left in the immense cabin,-One party
at cards very boiSterous in the interest of the
game, another very quiet in their absorption
in the chances of play. AS happened, few
were on board in the midsummer crossing.
Southby, when he first met the sunburnt
man upon the deck, hardly recognized him
as Grafton. Three years had passed, and
Grafton explained his changed appearance
bv the hard, out-of-doors life he had led in
out-of-the- way parts of the world. Indeed,
the two men, who had known each other
slightly in the past, were thrown much to-
gether. They had become very confidential,
as is the way of the sea, and that night their
talk led them to the utmost possible limit of
personal narration.
What makes man murderer"
Southby turned his head quickly toward
Grafton, who spoke with slow gravity.
"If it's the thought, the Intention he
continued, "then | am a murderer
Southby paused moment before he an
swered; studied the man before him, and
suddenly said, u saw you once in a state of
great deal Of excitement
"When?" asked Grafton, turning quickly
in his establishment.
"Have you forgotten a mornings drive
you took once across Long Island in your
automobile?"
Il should think not! It's that time
mean. How do you know"
81 was there when you arrived at Gunners
Point
"You were therei"
"Four of us were there,-Wellesley, Dal-
ton, Wilmarth, and myself"
al didn't know it didn't see anything.
If ever a man had black murder in, his heart
and on his mind, | had it that night"
"When you were at the club and at the
ball?'
"Did l go to the club and to ball? |
didn't know anything until found myself
standing on those terrace steps with her
looking straight at me and she spoke to me.
Something in the tone of her voice, in its in
huence over me, in its naturalness, brought
me back to myself. | was like a man who
has lost his mind even in the sense of any
actuality-and | came back to the feeling
I'd had for her, and not the sudden hate |
lad when heard the news. 1t was like the
lifting of black cloud, cloud that was a