Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-01


mon, his namesake If Larrabee
died or disappeared before he twenty-eight the
money was to go to his wfes nephew Larrabee Damon
d1sapproved of the fact that young Larrabee of
rowing habit: the queer, irrational streak that al
ways in my brother might have induced him to put
such a provision in his will merely a sneering
proof But have not finished. If Larrabee Damon
the younger, died disappeared after he twenty
eight the money to to the daughter of the elder
Larrabees half brother.
what strange provsion! cried Sylvester
Il cannot understand it, said Henderson, shaking his
head. Sometimes | think there was a deal of malice
in it, and perhaps love of tempting chance and fate
My brothers characteristics answered to all of that.
don't think he ever liked this young William Wallace"
Il say, Mr. Henderson, this Wallace isn't by anv
called Corrgan and drinks till the COWS come homer
The same. DO you know him?' asked Henderson
in mild surprise
1--we just him, that's ALL"
"As was saying, my brother never liked him. but
he had always promised his wife Whom he didn't like
much either that he would remember the fellow in his
will. He may have been mockingv keeping the letter
of his word to his wife, he may have wanted to
the self confident young man by showing him that his
light chance depended on young Larrabee's early
death. don't pretend know. | am quite sure that
he never saw this half-niece as | have but he must
have had some kind of drawing toward his own blood"
But it seems queer that he would stick the Wallace
fellow in between this Damon and his niece" said Syl-
vester at doesn't seem to be giving the niece much
of a show. If Damon should die young though"
"Ah!' sighed Henderson. "Then the girl would be
quite out of it. | suppose my brother saw no reason
why strong young man like Larrabee Damon should
die young, said Henderson, "and people don't disap-
pear nowadays. AS | have said many times to you
young Larrabee wonderfully like you. He might
have been tre shorter perhaps being bit stouer
than you made him seem shorter His hair was
much curler than yours, and redder Yours is brown
ish red, with gray sprinke1 in it. fancy may be
little older than he Then, he had slight gunpowder
on his right cheek in just about the place where
that seam comes your cheeklf you will forgive
me for mentioning it, Sir But the eyes and are
wonderfully alike. His mouth different is,
his sme,-and yet-and yet"
Henderson looked at Sylvester his prm face working
strangely "My dear Sir, since have been talk
ing to YOU the wish has been growing in my mind
"Look here' interrupted Sylvester "Did this fellow
look like Larrabee Damon, did he die or disappear
what"
"Nobody knows, said Henderson solennly "I tee-
graphed him about his fortune when my brother die
and he telegraphed back his ncredulol1s delight an
asked for remittance. That seemed to convince him;
for he asked for good deal more Then he wrote me
that he was fitting out boat to go with friend
scheme of adventure among the Pacific Islands,
most halrbrained scheme, he confessed. But it was
of my business, and besides there was plenty of
money. He to reach San Francisco a few days b.
fore the steamer sailed. They going by steamer
first to the Hawaiian Islands; but something or other
delayed him, he kept telegraphing me daily At the
last thought he would miss the ship. had met what
supposed the last train from the East that could
possibly catch the boat, and down the pier,
watching them getting ready to pull in the gangpank.
At the very last moment Larrabee Damon hustled out
OF cab he and his trunks somehow scrambled on
and then he caught sight of me. Somehow he felt who
was. He took off his hat and shouted apologies and
directions to where to send his money and promises
to come back will tell you Sir that as he stood
there, waving his cap and smiling straight, wide
smile heart warmed to that young man as if he had
been my son."
Henderson dropped his head over his wine. He was
Copyright by MaudeR adord Warren.