Evening star., 1913-12-07
BY WILLIAM BROWN MELONEY


led him away shoreward.
a saved the ship Commodore" said he as they
walked along "but failed in the biggest thing there
was to do,-I didn't bring Ed Jamison, her skipper
home That flag out there's for him. A can't"
The Commodore murnurng something that in
audible Perices, faltered slightly in his step. Peri
cles paused.
GO on 60 on7 said Thornton, marking his pace to
his friends they resumed their way along the water
front. 1t the Commodores interruption.
"A man can't put ship ashore in any of these big
lines today, continued Pericles, @and escape the pen
atty. When man beaches his ship as Jamson did he
beaches himself There's second chance nothing to
be offered in mitigation. found amison out there in
Yokohama standing up in superhuman way. He
would have got the ship off himself if he had been let
alone. 1t broke his heart completely when l went
aboard to relieve him. He tried very bravey to hide it
from me, and before many days realized that bigger
thing than saving the Montana would be saving him
for his wife and kiddies,-helpng him to begin all
again. My father always used to say that
too late to begin and we know you and l. that he
proved it. For four months lived together and
God knows put my heart and soul into the ght This
time yesterday thought d won. Last night within
sight Of port, the lights of home just lifting
the bows.he left the bridge and ended it all
put pistol to his head. 1 can't begin all again,
O'Brien he wrote in a note have in my pocket
I know naught but the I'm forty years old, and
that's too late; although you don't think So But
Jamson wrong-wrong!' and with an impassoned
ring in his voice Pericles O'Brien halted and faced
William Thornton though in challenge.
The Commodore quickly looked out toward the bay,
and after several seconds of silence and without meeting
Percles glance he asked, @Jamison leave anything?"
@Yes fifteen thousand in life insurance. But all the
money in the world wouldn't, couldn't, fill the gap he
has made in the lives of his two little boys It's rotten
heritage! They'll be potential cutters to the end of the
chapter. You know"
I'll there, Percles! Hi" interrupted familiar voice,
and Pericles turned to behold John Laysan shooting
big touring East-st the utter confusion
Of traffic and amid storm of eamsters and chaueurs
bilingsgate 3Think I'd let you come home without
meeting you, you blamed old prate?" he asked as he
brought the machine to stop alongside Pericles and
the Commodore.
NO." answered his partner al knew something had
happened
@Three punctures, that's all" said Laysan with a
rueul smile, only to add instanter God, Mani I'm
glad you're back again.
1t fine thing to the passage of glances that
went between these two in that moment. The
friendship that bound Percles Brien and John Lay
inspiration to the best in life
all be saying good morning to you, Gentlemen"
cut in the Commodore Il have some-some important
business in here and he indicated the offices Of the Red
Stack Towboat Company, in front of which he and
Pericles had come to halt.
@Ill wait and give you lift if you Il let me-" offered
Laysan; but the Commodore shook his head and turned
to Pericles
3My boy" said he in a voice that broke slightly
ayou-you haven't failed, and-God bless you!"
With that he turned away abruptly, and holding his
shoulders very straight and with his head lifted proudly
walked into the Red Stack Offices
DERICLES watched him until he had disappeared
from view, and then turned, to find that Laysan's
gaze too had been following the Commodore.
@Poor old mani" said Laysan in tone that made Peri
cles search his face for meaning.
"Why, John-why poor old man'?'
1t was Laysans turn now to look at Pericles in
prise. Perices' expression of mystication brought
the realization home Laysan that his partner had
tl,o. ID &c he