The evening world. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1887-1931, 1921-03-16

old boy thought he was a lucky
dog"
Naturally"
"But it turned out badly"
Did it," asked the Captain, rails
ing his eyebrows.
"Yes, sir. Now, my uncle was a
kind man-indulgent to excess"
That is obvious. You suggested
all that"
"She was not bad" the crafty
Brambourg went on. But you know
how it is--a pretty young girl, an in
dulgent husband too old for her!"
Everything is comparative in this
rotten world" replied the Captain
frowning.
"They hadn't been married long
when the fun began"
"Ah, here's where the laugh comes
in, / presume"
"Oh, it was serious business, as
sure YOU, sir. They began to make
love TO her, the blackguards!"
Capt DE CorlaiX looked straight at
Brambourg. The world is full of
them" he said.
Brambourg shifted to the other foot
rather uneasily. That's why II is
husbands duty to guard his wife
And your uncle|
INV uncle never did. Some people
are born blind and some are blind
because they don't want to see. My
uncle didn't want to see. Am DorlhB
mot at all! Your uncle interests
me. AS for the wife, I'm adoring her:
How did this pretty thing behave?'
she made fool Of him
81 see"
"He was charming fellow, young
like herself. My uncle was fond OF
him-swore by him. But he soon
learned the truth"
"You surprise me-" said the Captain
lightly. 81 have been given to under
stand that in such cases every one
knows but the husband" ,,,
"Ah. but my uncle had a friend VINO
would not be a party to TINS ueceP.
ton. He warned him discreetly. ~
! is the first breath of suspicion that
counts"
"You think so?"
yves. But not with weak man
Right ar wrong, my uncle loved her.
A little severity would nave saVeu
his ship, but he was an lndulseh'
man. He closed his eyes to every
thing. At first she was piqucd at MS
Indifference; she ended by treating
him with contempt and left him a
broken man. He died about two
years later" ,,-. 40
There was a brief pause. Then the
CAPTAIN spoke bluntly. rs that allF
"What more can be said? r
'VThere is much more to be said
about this kind friend. THIS honesI
fellow is the most vivid and outstahu-
| ing figure of your story. l can see
| him as plainly'-here the captain >
gaze shot straight into BranDourb
eyes-"as II he were here now. Lieu
L. vnninFnHQfn NOur Kind
ness in reminding me of what l
seemed to overlook and recall to your
mind something which has apparent
! ly escaped you. You forget the MIND
| OF the seaman is simple, trusting and
| honest. You know when something
! is stolen the disgust of both officers
| and crew at the contemplate idea
that there is a thief aboard?'
yes. sir. l know that"
"Then," said the Captain firmly,
how much more would they resent
the presence Of a lower and meaner
cur-the man who tries to steal tho
peace OF mind of a messmpte and
foul his ship with filthy Suspicion
Rrambourg began a hesitating re-
pIy. when ii was cut short by the
approach of Marie and D'Artelle, FOL.
lowed by Dagorne. The last named
stepped briskly up TO the Captain;
Brambourg fell back a step.
"a wireless, SIR" said Dagorne
handing the Captain the message
CHAPTER ".
q r the sight of the wireless
~ message Marie became ner'
"a vously apprehensive. She
stepped to her husbands
side.
"Read II, Fred-read it quickly!'
she faltered. Perhaps-perhaps II
is good news"
Thank You, Dagorne," said the
Captain calmly to the deliverer OF the
wireless. The man saluted and left.