Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-09
crush . snake. Is that

aR,,t. onsieur-monsieur!" pro-
t.sted the Frenchman. That IS
enough, Why should you say sucn
things to me? am distressed.
And It is not just. You asked me
to read q letter, and ] read II. anas
was not mys fault. And surely A.
was natural. what ] said. mas
not been our business 20 az tnss
sort of thing together? ala NO.
know how you felt about this. But
now that I know It IL at an ena.
have forgotten It. my friend. IL ~
as though II had never been!
"All right, them" said the ex-
CAPTAIN OF tcrritorials in softer
tone. "As you say, that ends IT,
"Shall / 60 on with the letter."
asked the Frenchman pleasantly.
NO" said Captain Francis New.
combe. "Give It to me. I've had
enough Of 1t for now" he smiled
suddenly. as the Frenchman placed
the letter in his hand. I'm afraid
I'm q bit of color this morning,
Paul. Sorry! The trip down from
Cloverley's has done me in q bit.
and my eyes hurt like hell. I'd give
a. hundred pounds for q few good
hours of sleep"
"Try, them" suggested the French
man. I'm be where I can hear you
IL you want anything. won't go
! out until Runnells gets back"
Good enough" agreed Captain
Francis Newcombe; and then
from his chair: Speaking OF Run
nells, Paul-you will oblige me by
saying nothing to him Of the con-
tents Of this letter"
II will say nothing TO any one.
fet alone Runnells." replied the
Frenchman quietly. 'Tt is already
forgotten. Call, II you want any
thing"
Newcombe.
The Frenchman's footsteps died
away in the outer ROOM os,,,..,
fingers frightened around the letter
he held in his hand, crushed it, and
carefully smoothed 1t out again.
He lay there motionless then, his
face turned away from the door, his
lips thinned, his under jaw out
thrust little.
Three years in the planting" he
muttered to himself. at has ripen-
ed well! Very well! Paul-bah!
What does it matter, after all, that
he read the letter? I am not sure
but that he has already outlived his
thrust the letter suddenly under
meath his pillow. Damn the in
fernal pain!" he gritted between his
teeth. "If could only sleep for a
bit-sleep-sleep!"
And for time he tossed rest
lessly from side to side, and then
presently he slept.
Runnells, in response to q demand
from the bedroom, brought in the
luncheon tray.
You've had a rare whack OF
sleep" he said, as he laid the tray
down on che table beside the bed.
What time is III" inquired Cap
tain Francis Newcombe. Three
o'clock" said Runnells. Here, sit
up a bit, and I'll bolster the pillows
in behind YOU"
Where's Paul." asked the ex-
captain of territorials.
Runnells did not answer I'm
mediately. In arranging the pillows
he found a letter. He looked at It
coolly. 1t ought to be worth looking
at II Captain Francis Newcombe
kept It under his pillow.
"Well?" snapped the ex-captain of
territorials.
Runnells placed the letter on the
table within easy reaeh beside the
tray, pulled the table a little closer,
and sat down on the edge Of the bed.
He went out after I got back"
said Runnells. said he'd sleep
here tonight, that's all know. This
Is bit of stew"
Runnells. with one hand presented
a forkful Of meat to Captain Francis
Newcombe's lips, and with the
other hand possessed himself Of the
letter again.
Runnells read steadily now. He
conveyed food to Captain Francis
Newcomb's mouth mechanically,
Damn IT," spluttered the ex.
captain OF territorials SUDDENLY. rDo
you take me for a boa constructor?
l can't bolt food as fast as that!"
Runnells' eyes were curiously.
feverishly alight.
Yesterday you said went too
Slow" he mumbied.
In great many respects, Run.
nelis, said Captain Francis New.
combe tartly. YOU are an Irritating,
tactless ass. But not to be too hard
on yeu. and especially. in view NJ
the last week, have to admit Vol,
possess one redeeming feature that
am bound to give you credit for"
Whats that?" Runnells was NJ
the end Of the letter now. He
stared at the bandaged face with
eyes a little narrowed, ana with Tins
mat twisted In a strange, specu-
lative smile.
"A fidelity of the same uninit,-
alive quality that dog has" said
captain Francis Newcombe, motion.
ing for more to eat.
And In that sphere you're q sue.
it," SLICK 70
Runnells made no answer. E,.
reading It.
Inc lunch proceeded in silence.
AT It's conclusion, Runneiis atood
uR; shipped the letter behind the
pillow again and gathered the vsr.
ious dishes together on the trav.
America, eh?" confided RSnnafl.
70 himself, as he carried the trav
i,pm tne room. $50 that's the BIT Of
an right 10 It? And Paul don't
nj anow anything about II! And the
captain don't know--I know! Hair
" 'niI rha d 1I:.: Strike me pink"
It was q night Of storm. rh.
rain, wind driven, swept the dacEs
m gusty stringing sheets: the hi~
inner rolled and pitched. disRruntied.
In the heavy sea.
Within the smoking room N
table in the corner sat Cant.,n
Francis Newcombe. ""
me young man at the opposite
sue OF the. table, dark eyed, DARK
= areo, Win me. clean-cut features,
q man OF powerful physique whose
great breadth Of shoulder was an
cased IN an immaculate dinnAr
Jacket lifted the glass the steward
mad just set before him.
., neres how. captaini" he smiled.