The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-03-13
Mexican's cards had been made

however, he was as cool as the sea fog
outside. The dark occupant of the
cabin rose TO meet him. his ~impenetra-
BILE glasses yelling whatever sentiment
might have dwelt in his eyes
1--WE only o few words to say to
you, Mr.. Brill, alias Overton. or Over
ton alias Brill" he began icily. g
Brill felt this lash Of contempt and
could have throttIed the fellow but
that lie realized that the man had APP
pearances to Justify him and that, aft
err all. his coming was not to quarrel,
but to obtain information. He neither
moved nor spoke.
1--WE no wish to expose you nor to
call public attention to your peculiar
position on this ship continued Ben
edict. Neither do ! desire to force
you to explain your possession Of the
little-keepsake that I am holding for
you. But"-and his voice now rang
with the fire of assumed authority
you are worming yourself into the
confidence of friends of mine, and 1t
must go no further. 1 cannot allow
an acquaintance based upon false pre-
lenses to be prolonged with the lady
who is to be my wife,"
He paused to allow the weight of his
last words to settle into Brilfs mind.
Have l made myself quite clear!'
he asked, with the supreme insolence
of a man who believes his position UNI
assailable. M
Brill did. not answer at once He
knew that what he said must serve. in
a certain sense, as colors nailed to a
mast. Under them he would fight, un-
der them be known to the world II
necessary. When he did reply his
voice was as unruffied as If he were or
dering a outlet at his club.
you have been quite clear. I hope
to make myself equally SO. When 1
sever an acquaintance that has proved
extremely pleasant, it will be. at the
request of the lady in question, OF her
father. or, should she honor any man
SO much, Of her husband"
Then he turned and left the room.
But with all his enforced self poses
sion doubts tortured him. The Next
cans declaration haunted him. How
could he assure himself that the mans
statements were not true? Had Mar
ion Jenniscn given any sign to be con-
strued against them? He admitted
that she had not, and ~yet-there is al
ways the lovers "and yet" In Brills
case it was based on nothing more
secure than his sense of the eternal
fitness OF things. Could the lovely
Marion Jennison, whose other quail
ties surely matched her physical beau
ty, could such q woman fall to the lot
of such a man as the scoundrel he was
willing to believe Benedict to be? He
was never vain, and in thought of the
girls attributes he felt humble enough,
yet he knew that he was more worthy
than the other.
There was to be q battle. He made
no doubt of that. The idea was in
SEPARATION to his soul. Henceforth the
issue was clear. He would match wit
with wit and duplicity with honest en-
deavor. Fate would determine which
armor was the stronger.
Back. in his stateroom Brill found
Stebbins again immersed in scientific
and mechanical lore-a most unpromis-
ing companion. The young man NOV
ed restlessIy about in the little space
like a wild creature in its cage.
I'm going out on deck, JAY" he an
nounced suddenly. Stebbins looked up
from his book and surveyed his pa
iron with alarm.
"Your overcoat, sir" he exclaimed,
springing up and going into lis own
room, thence emerging with a heavy
storm garment. '"This is better for the
weather. l got it of h steward"
Armored with the new coat Brill
made his way on deck. There the i'm
penetrable fog wrapped him so closely
that beyond an arms length nothing
was visible, and voices heard not far
off seemed strangely ASSOCIATED with
actual life. All this gloom, this un-
certainty. this newness. seemed to typi-
fy his own changed existence. Into
what were the ship and he rushing?
Was there danger ahead for either?
Was there to be ceaseless roaming or
a safe harbor?
The ships bell changed out eight
strokes. and Brill could lear the shut
fling of feet ahead as the afternoon
watch succeeded that Of the morning.
He caught the order for the course,
least by SOU" called out by Captain
HUMPHREYS on the bridge and noted the
curious effect of the fog in changing the
qualities of a mans voice. Then, as
he often did when Captain HUMPHREYS
came to his mind, ne thought of Bene-
dict.
Did that swarthy rival of his speak
the truth, he wondered? 1t seemed a
proclamation of Marion Jennison to ask
the question, and yet he was old
enough to know how seemingly para
doxical are the inclinations of a wom-
n-l L. lAl ii 49,