Putnam patriot., 1916-06-16

He always travelled with Johnny Brennan when he could manage it, for the two men were boon companions. O'Neif was won't to live in Johnny's cabin or on the bridge, and their night ly lbation to friendship had come to be matter of some ceremony.
 The ships master soon appeared from the shadows-a short, trim man with gray hair.
 Come" he cried; its waiting for us"
 O'Neil followed into Brennan's lux urious, well lit quarters, where on mahogany sideboard was tray holding deeanter, siphon and glasses, together with bottle of ginger ale. The cap tain, after he had mixed a beverage for his passenger, opened the bottle for himself. They raised their glasses silently.
 NOW that you're past the worst of it." remarked O'Neil, 'I suppose you'll turn in. Ycr're getting old for q hard run like this. Johnny"
 Captain Brennan snorted. "Oldi I'm a better man than you, yet. I'm teetotaler. that's why. I discovered long ago that salt water and whisky don't mix
 O.Neil stretched himself out in one of Brennan's easy chairs. Really, he said "I don't understand why 3 ship carries captain. Now, of what earthly use to the line are you, for in stance. except for your beauty, which. no doubt has it's value with the wo men? I'll admit you preside with some grace at the best table in the dining salon. but your officers know these channels as well as you do. They could make the run from Seattle to Juneau with their eyes shut
 Indeed they could not, and neither could r.
 "Oh, well, of course l have no re spect for you as man. having seen you without your uniform
 The captain grinned in thorough ell joyment of this raillery. I'll say noth ing at all of my seamanship." he said. relapSing into the faintest of brogues but there's no denying that the mas ter of a ship has many unpleasant and disgusting duties to perform. He has to amuse the prominent passengers who cant amuse themselves, for one thing. and that takes tact and patience Why. some people make themselves al home on the bridge, ill the chart room and even ill my living quarters. to say nothing of consuming my expensive wines, liquors and cigars"
 Meaning me?'
 I'm a brutal seafaring man, and you'll have to make allowances for my well known brusqueness. Maybe did mean you. But I'll say that next to you Curtis Gordon is the worst grafter l ever saw"
 You don't like Gordon, dc youF O'Neil queried with change of tone.
 "I do not! He went up with me again this spring. aad he had his widow with him too"
 His widow?'
 You know who I mean-Mrs. Ge- rard. They say it's her money he's using in his schemes. Perhaps it's be cause of her that I don't like him.
 'Ah-h, I sec
 You don't see, or you wouldn't grin like an ape. I'm q married man, I'll have you know. and I'm still on good terms with Mrs. Brennan. flank God But don't like men who use women's money, and that's just what our friend Gordon Is doing. What money the widow didn't put np he's grabbed from the ,sehoolma ans and servant girls and society matlUns iH the east. Whai has he got to show them for it
 "A .railroad project a copper mine some coal claims
 -Ruh.a A mcnagerie of Eildeats.'
 You can't prove tisf- Wiaatss your reason for distrustinG binsZ
 'fWell. for one thing. he knows too much. Why. he knows ever9thIng ht does. Art. literature. politics law .iipapee and. draw poker hnre no sN cyets rom him. He's beea every Eherc and back-twice; he si-eaks a doze.' different languages. He oEtarS1led Ill" on soultry raising. and l know Ioop about that than any I%n living. II can lhanile a Crili or a ooa, h and fc1i1 he can tell al about the ;:rt of aicien Babylon. and Ee beats ne playing crib baae. Wllrh shows that he ainf oif th' level. Hes the best informed man out side of q university. and lie drinks tca A sa aftern@op, with his lecs crossed and fhe saucer lbaanred on his heel. Now. fl takes gears of hard work Tor an hoissst man to make success at one thing. but Gordon never failed at anything. ] ask yoN if living author ity on ali ibe br1neDes of human eli deavor md man nts9 can beat me at crib doesn't make yos suspicious
 Not at ail I've beaten Xou myself.
 ..I was sick" said Captain Rrennan.
 sThe man is brilliant and well edu- cated and wealthy. Ifs 11Sy natural that he should excite tiie jeaiosssy of weaker intellect" Johnny opened his lips for aR explo s,ou. then changed his mind and agreed sorriy
 Hes got money. all right and he knows Low to spend fl. He and his valet occupied three cabins on th,s ship. They say his quarters at Hope are lfliatiaL"
 My dear Grampus. the mere love oi luxury doesn't argue that person is dishonest"
 Would you let hired man help you on with your underciothes demanded the mariner.
 @There's nothing criminal about it"
 s'Humph Mrs. Gerard Is different She's all class. You don't mind her having a maid and speaking French when she runs short of English. Her