The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1915-01-23

w GOD afternoon. sir, began
Brill. addressing the stranger
with a shade less ease than
his wont in addressing stran-
gers. for this was Il new experience.
ATS a piece of inpertinence to come
10 YOU on this matter, | know, but the
fact is n friend and myself were out
on II biz of Il lark. and VIC got on board
without knowing 1t was an ocean
steamer and -and-wcll, we've no mon
cy to pay u passage. My name is
Brill.'
The quick, suspicious, u~nfathomablc
look that Brill perceived on the face
OF the stranger gave him a feeling of
strong, intuitivc dislike for the man.
There seemed something sinister In the
tall. thin figure. with its great bony
structure. aud hands hat were forever
moving, as IL to grasp the atmosphere.
The face WAS not easily read. for the
eyes were deeply set behind n pair of
large eye glasses that had Il peculiar.
battling glitter when their owner turn
sd them in the direction of an observer;
In lincamcnts it was almost handsome.
yet 1t did not invite either sentiment
or condolences. But Brill was dealing
In neither today. so he continued:
Il had bought n piece of iewelry for
y friends birthday. and-well, she
didn't get it. | wondered If as an ac-
commodation you'd stake me till we
get across and keep the trinket as a re-
hinder"
"Umph'' half cruntcd the other.
We'll. let me sec it,"
Brill opened the box and lifted the
cover of the interior velvet case. On Il
pure white background glittcred n
band of exquisitely set rubies. The
man examined 1t carefully for a mo-
ment.
How much do you WANT he asked
shortly.
Five hundred ought to see us
through nicely"
Again the grunt and another sharp
look. This thing is worth $1,000. IL
] let you have the money what then?
Will there be any-any complications
when we reach the other side:"
Mr.. Overton Brill's color rose. and
his fingers itchcd TO double themselves
against the swartly mans counte-
nance. lie was about TO give tongue
TO his anger when the other interposed.
There, there. Don't fly of the han
die. don't know you, and ever If
your story Is true you must admit that
it sounds IL bit fishy. No offense. Come
TO my stateroom. I'll let you have the
money"
As money was the commodity the
lack of which had brought the New
Yorker to his present interview. he
swallowed his wrath and followed th,
stranger. In the stateroom the man
pointed TO writing materials.
Jus give me Il receipt. will YOU"
he said. stating that you have had
$500 from me. advanced on n ruby
bracelet, and to be paid back by you
Mt the end of the voyage. And /
think you might state the circum-
stances briefly: that you bought il for
a gift, | mean. Hullo. here's an in
scription, 'Overton TO julia better put
that in. 1t will identify it,"
With i'll grace Brill acted as amanu-
ensis for this peculiar gentleman. How
ever. the five 800 bills salved his
feelings somewhat. and he left the
stateroom with a tune almost whistling
Itself upon his lips. He would have
been less cheerful had he heard what
the lender said to himself, afterward:
II suppose he stole it. IL he did
or perhaps. for that matter. if he
didn't-he's not very likely to see it
again. Yet don't know. He's a clev-