The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1925-02-25


suntie's party II was much like
being Al home. except that she
could not accuse him Of making
the wide free spaces rcek like
Noah-s ark with bis cherished pipe.
He had fought against that urge
until he was sore with the conflict,
He had never even surrendered 90
the longing to spend just one day,
in sailortown. among the docks
among the men who sailed the
ships That longing was easier 70
combat. Re could hop into his car,
get somewhere outside city limits
and burn UP the roads IN q mad
whirI Of speed. But al The while
he was breathing dust and gasoline
fumes his mind would roam sea
ward TO the tail clippers and the
blue OF the Indian ocean.
His pipe went out. He raised
hts head and shifted al the thick
fog now hlottinE ont everything.
Aiuttering while he knocked out
the cold dottle OF his pipe. he rae
ed hack to the house, sueaking In
BY servants entrance. The lower
part Of the house was bright with
lights. alive with people He ran
up TO his rooms. snatehed MP more
tobacco and light overcoat. and
with a cap tucked In the pocket he
crept down 70 the entrance again.
He plunged into the fog. lost him.
self In the BY streets until well
away from the house. then III his
pipe afrcsh. buttone1 his coat. and
set out az a swinging pace, regard.
less OF fog or more cautious .pedes
TRANS, following his nose towards
the Tiver side.
CHATTER II
Thru the Fog
uALTED suddenly by a conEes
IL ton OF fog.bound buses. Alden
Drake leaned against lamp-post
snd for the first time realized how
soft he had become. His chest
fs.aved to the protest OF fatty lungs.
and once they came to rest his
legs frightened ali down the back.
He saw the name of bus that
stopped so close 70 tho electric
ligift upon his lamp post that the
shade yet shook from light
touch.
"Burdett Road, I haven't walked
two miles! And laboring like a
foundered cow He laughed. Golf
Eighteen holes at a snairs gait
seeking a little batl with a dam
stick, and doddiing along until you
find It, Then home In the car.
Car here. car there, even an eleva-
tor car to take you from one floor
TO another in the house. And this
Is the regular thing I've done for
years. Drake, you chump, you"
Taxi. sir?" a hoarHs voices bark
ed at him out brown patch on
The fog.
yes. West India Docks" he
said. and laid hand on the cab
door. Then he laughed again, in
fine contempt OF himself. 40
thanks. old chap. IN walk" he
aaid. Here, tho. buy yourself n
pint o. rum and wait I'll the fog
rolls BY"
He crossed the road and whistled
his way onward. still following his
nose towards sromas which had ten
fold intensified. He recognized the
smell Of ship chsndleries. There
was the richness OF oakum. Of pitch.
OF tarpaulins. There was the sizzl-
ing greasy reek OF fried fish and
'tafers. Nearer than before tug
boats bIared.
He pushed In thru the glass doors
81 a pretentious pub he had known
years ago. As soon as he entered
he knew the old time atmosphere
vas gone True. the few men
standing at the bar. or sitting down
in the private cubby holes. had the
mark OF the sea upon them; but
they wefe steamer men. Their
hands were white. and their clothes
cut with scrupulous avoidance Of
nautical pattern. As he stepped 10
the bar and called FOR drink. he
heard no subdued rumble Of men
discussing his strange attire. In
any real sailortown bor somebody
would have howled At his dinner
clothes.
Drake stayed half an hour. and
left full Of amazement at tho