Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-18

that it too well organized and too well advertised
to die In day. but his tongue had lost its old eloquence
his brain its old magnetism Too well they recognized
that he fighting losing fight. Too well he knew
that he, in their positions, would have done they
doing and have followed his old motto that
"Ony sucker stays by the sinking ship" The sale in
the following week netted them scarcely anything, and
the remaining lots all bid in by other than
Burmah Jones' He bought at a ndiculously low price,
paid for them with shut jaw, and said he hoped the
firm proted well from Port Hatch Carrying his atti-
tude of complacence still further he invited them the
club and cheerfully opened bottle of wine
1t was Conover who voiced what all of Port Hatch
believed. Zones, he said, @you good loser but
you know that Port Hatch is done Owls and bats will
be in its buildings within three months. We've got
kick. We did well. We've made neat profit, and
you're too wise to know that we didn't Now what in
the of commonsense makes you stick here?
You tried to bull the market here this afternoon, and
it didn't work. There weren't dozen bids outside of
yours In six to eight weeks you couldn't give away
the lots you bought this afternoon!"
Burn1ah vainy tried to air of confidence,
which did not in the least deceive them. They knew
and he knew, that he recklessy attempting to fill
with air the balloon that had burst.
THE exodus began within that same week. All steam
carried away men who had found someone fool
lsh enough to make offer property, and steamer
brought in crowd of prospective purchasers had
in the hacyon days. No man entered the offices to
Port Hatch depopulatng itself in convulsve strug
giles, like snake that had used its bright and gtterng
skin to the utmost and shedding it for another
The drays went loaded but way, and that toward
the waterfront. All came back empty. They and the
cabs alone profited by the exodus Everyone seemed
to have lost faith in Port Hatch and have abandoned
hope for its future the Colonel Arabea, and the
little group of faithful that constantly visited
Marquard Villa.
And at last even of these detected the cautious
Of
announcement of doom, said hestatngly that he had
concluded that he would be compelled seek larger
field and had selected Seattle the best place for his
practice. He chose opportune moment when none
of the other young men from Chattanooga present.
and the Colonel, Burmah, and Arabena sitting
the terrace each striving realize the changes of vics
situde
4Going! You going too, Kirby?' the Colonel asked,
with little catch his voice. he had expected
this desertion.
eyes, Sir" Kirby answered, without looking up. "A
young man has to look for his best interests as he
them"
that's true" replied the Colonel thoughtfully;
@but -say-aren't you little premature?'
Burrnah with his face in the shadows, grinned satr
cally, but offered no voice.
"Well, Sir, don't think so, declared Kirby. an
fact Colonel can't why anyone insists staying
here; but perhaps those who do have reasons. It's
too bad. It's the most beautiful place know Of"
3The most glorious in the world the Colonel an
swered with of his oldtme enthusiasm NDes-
tined later be the greatest port the Pa
cifc Coast! The City Magnificent, Sir! The City
Beautiful! You making grave error in leaving at
this crucial moment
Kirby looked wistfully across at Arabella but she
did degn to voice protest beyond had thought
you would stay, Kirby. But everyone anxious to
go; so don't know why you shouldn't
@Oh, I'm not going for good" he fastened to say.
3You see up for week end so that III not lose
track of you ALL