The Washington herald., 1914-09-06

! the window. The resulting picture was
really a hne composition To begin
with, the setting of the room, with its
nets, and oars, and tables and chairs,
and FISH tackle, all in an unstudied.
natural disorder, was a picture in it.
self. With the addition OF this wealth
er-beaten old life figure sitting by the
open window. with the sea beyond. and
the morning light shining full upon the
models face it was perfect.
This suit ye?" asked the captain, as
he took his seat by the window.
Yes, only let me see little more of
your face-there-that's it," said Raw
son, as the old man complied with his
suggestion. Hold that if you can.
You can smoke if you want to"
Thank ye," said the captain "That'll
help some. ! hain't much at doin'
nuthin'."
Rawson began his work, and labored
rather effectively for about twenty
minutes, sketching in the general out
lines OF his picture. neither OF US ven
turing any observations OF more than
casual nature
That's a hne pose" said Rawson,
after a while. Now for the main
point OF my scheme, Captain" he add
ed, hold your pipe in your hand about
! four inches from your mouth. please,
and turn your head just little toward
the door. as if your attention had sud
denly been caught BY somebody or
something approaching from the out
side"
The captains response was immedi-
ate. and the picture he presented was
one OF alert interest, but it lasted only
second. for as he struck the pose
Rawson began painting vigorously, and
at the same time he whistled carelessly
the sea song from The Girl from
Brighton Sands
The effect was startling and dramatic
The notes OF that once popular song
sounding upon the models ear brought
a sudden pallor 10 the bronzed cheek
that was deathlIke in its intensity. The
hand that held the pipe shook and the
pipe itself. falling from Its nerveless
fingers. dropped to the floor as the
captain sprang to his feet and turned
a pair OF burning eyes upon the paint
er never saw such combination oil
fear. grief, and wonderment in human
eyes before, but Rawson returned their
gaze with not the shadow OF d finch.
don't really know how long the TWO
men stared at each other. II was prob
ably only for a few seconds. but it
seemed an eternity 10 me The captain
was the tirSt to speak.
"Well:' he said, his voice shaking
with emotion.
Yes" said Rawson. rising. and wip-
ing his brushes on paint rag. Yes,
its all you think II is, Bertram
Bertram! Bertram!
| puzzled my brains for a suggestion
OF the mans significance l had heard
il before somewhere, but
You have-you have come for me
asked Captain Jim painfully, sitting
down. or rather staggering back INTO
his chair again.
In a manner OF speaking-yes, aid
Rawson. But in another manner of
speaking possibly not
You are an officer of-of the law"
demanded the captain. all traces OF his
former sesfaring accent absolutely
gone.
With rowing commission, yes"
said Rawson. But sometimes we are
out OF commission. Bertram.' he added
Everybody about here seems 10 think
50 highly OF you that perhaps-wcH,
maybe you can purchase my silence
With money" demanded the cap
tam.
No" said Rawson Under no cir
cumstances. with something letter
the gold OF sympathy
Captain Jim covered his face with I
his hands. and his shoulders shook in
paroNysm OF grief
God knows | need IT.! said he
Prove that" said Rawson. There's
plenty OF time. old man. What became
of MaSkelyne;"
The old man rose Up and gazed long
and earnestly out OF the window. and
then with a deep-drawn sigh he turned
and looked Rawson full and uniinch- J
ingly in the face
II killed him he said simply His
life belonged to me. and | took it
Il have assumed a much. said Raw ,
son. But how did YOU take it and
why do you say il was YOURS 10 take"
III tell YOU the whole story said
the captain, ''and wherever il lands me
it will be a relief to tell it. You have
surprised me into a betrayal of my
identity. and | may as well admit that I !
an Robert Bertram. once an actor
Always an actor. and a good one"
said RawSon
Il played the leading comedy role in
The Girl from Brighton Sands" said .
the captain. 1t was the best part | ,
ever had, and that song you have just !
used to, catch me of my guard was my ,
biggest hit |
Il know" said Rawson. My friend
and | heard you sing it seven wears ago
IN London. 1t was corker. 1t was
when Hartman sang it last night that l
realized just who you were
My daughter Sallie played the part
OF Gladys, the Girl OF the comedy. the
captain droned on. She was the apple
oS-my eye-all ! had, her mother hav-
ing died fifteen years ego. l worship
cd the ground she walked on, and |
got her her position IN my company
for the double purpose OF having her
always with me, and of-of protecting
her from-from-
81 know" said Rawson, kindly. Go
on"
Harry Maskelyne was the tenor of
our company" said the captain. "A
fine, handsome specimen of physical
but born unfortunately with
out a conscience How or when he