Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-12-21

Sands getting off at Key West?"
Keller swallowed hard.
TITS as bad as that, sir, Is it?"
Yes, it's as bad as that"' cried
Trask belligerently, then added, If
she ever speaks to me again"
Keller sighed and shook his head
mournfully.
Il was hoping. sir. that you and
Miss Kent might"
"Oh, shut up! Fat chance I'd have
with Miss Kent, anyhow, after the
way the beans have been spilled this
afternoon. 1t all comes of you trying
to think, Keeler. You're old enough
to know that you can't. And I order
pou peremptorily never to try to do
any thinking for me again."
Keller was humbled to the point OF
detection.
But I'm not going to leave this
ship" reiterated Trask. $50 it's up
to us to think of way to stay
aboard. Get busy. now"
You told me / wasn't to do any
thinking, Mr.. Trask." protested
Keller
Don't be n fool, Keller. Get
buSy"' exclaimed Trask, angr-fly.
The fruitless cogitations Of Trask
and his guardian were interrupted
after several minutes elapsed by a
knock at the door. Keller answered,
first motioning his patient into
chair. The caller was a deck steward,
with a note to be delivered to the in
valid.
Trask looked at the unfamiliar writ.
ing on the envelope. which was ad.
dressed to "Mr. Spencer Trlmbull,"
and fI'owned speculatively. The note
within caused him genuine bewilder-
ment. 1t said.
II find myself much disturbed in
mind concerning the affair in Capt
Blodgett's Office. MY faith has been
shaken, but it is not shattered.
cannot-I must not--beiieve that you
are what my aunt maintains you to
bean impostor. 1t would shock me
beyond measure to discover that you
are what my aunt maintains you to
bean impostor. II would shock me
beyond measure to discover that you
had deliberately practiced an imposi-
ton, when all my sympathy had gone
out to you in your affiiction and when
did so want to he of some service in
making your suffering seem less.
can you not give me some aSsur-
ance that you are really what you
told me you were--a sick and injured
man? The story told by your nurse
concerning the condition Of your mind
l will not--and cannot-believe.
Il feel that certain of my ideals
are at stake in this matter. Are you
not truly an invalid. I pray, for the
sake Of my faith in human nature.
that you are!
Il will not-unless I must-believe
that my first opportunity to offer con-
ISOLATION and help to fellow being In
need of them has been misdirected
through a deception which would be
the very refinement OF cruelty.
Won't you break your reticence-
at least to me-wont you offer me
some proof of your sincerity? Tell me
it is not true you can walk and run,
as my aunt says! feel sure she must
have been mistaken, and in my heart
Of hearts I do hope that she is.
LUCILLE"
Anything wrong, sir?" inquired
Keller, as he noted the blank express
sion on Trask's face.
Read it, IL you like" said Trask.
offering the note.
Keller read slowly. completing the
effort with a sigh Of satisfaction.
"It looks better. sir. doesn't it?' he
observed. In a hopeful tone.
Better! How?"
why. Miss Kent Is ready to stand
by you, sir. II I may say 1t, she's
interested
Interested in me? Not on your
life! She's interested in my being an
invalid-that's ALL She hopes I can't
walk, because II can, her ideals are
all smashed UP! That's q cheerful
hope, isn't it? I've got to be a cripple.
just to sustain her faith
Keller looked doubtful.
1T does seem a little that way, Mr..
Trask," he admitted. but IL she's
interested that much, II may lead to-
well, you can't tell what, SIR"
But, hang 1t, man! I don't want It
to lead to anything elsel''
The Tennessee Tornado wore a
visage Of despair.
she's a very fine and handsome
young lady, SIR" he ventured. "And,
If you'll allow me, Mr.. Trask. I might
say that it would be a shame to-
Keller referred to the letter.
''Shatter her faith in YOU
What would be the use of my inspir-
ing interest in a lady who would lose
her interest the minute ! got up and
walked? You don't expect me to sit
in a wheel chair the rest of my days,
just to oblige her. do your"
You might do worse, SIR
Nonsense. Anyhow. I'd sooner
Jump for Miss Sands than play sick
for Miss Kent" ...... go.
That's what I'm afraid Of" muir.
INJURED Keller. shaking his head.
Trask laughed with cruel gayety.
LAS for me being In bad with Miss
Kent. ia IKE to know where you
stand with Miss Sands. Capt. Fer
riss'!'
Don't sirv'
How do you expect to explain all
that soldier-of-fortune stuff. cap
tain'?''
Keller raised A protesting hand
and squirmed In his chair.
Tt don't know, sir. was going
to ask your advice about that"
We'll, my advice is to steer clear
Of her, Keller. You can't ever ex-
plain it,"
And not see her again, sir?''
There was deep woe in Keeler's
voice.
Exactly. She must have a nne
opinion of you
Keller was abstractedly nursing one
hand within another.
II suppose it does look pretty bad
for me, Mr.. Trask. 1t seems like it's
always been that way"
Always
"I've never had any luck, sir.
HdppeH6 every LlIuG.
Heart affairs?"
Keller nodded.
II was almost married in my
fighting days. sir. She was a very
handsome young lady, Mr.. Trask. She
worked in a. restaurant And then
they put me against the champion
and that settled 1t. You see, it turned
out she really didn't want me at all.
sir. She just wanted q winner"
Trask grinned understa ndinely.
THE worst Of it was, I'd said l was
the champion, added Keeler. when
she found it out, Of course. it was all
off,"
ut seems to me, Keller, that you
have rather persistent habit of ly-