The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1875-09-23

IOuoSu HILL IL 10 lupOSSlulc W cApIcoS
my establishment when once 1 saw the
face 1 but dimly remembered the face
of him who had fallen in the narrow
street some hours before.
l was more than surprised-I was
shocked. How did it come we two
should meet again that same night? How
did it come that this man, whose very
appearance had troubled me, should
turn up once more in this unac-
countable manner? Was fate busy
between him and NET 1 felt I'm
comfortable. When his eye fell upon
me there was no CLEAN of recognition.
He did not remember we had met be-
fore.
He did not materially alter his posi-
ton. He sat limp and spiritless, as one
completely crushed. Now I Jaw plainly
that there was no artificial lethargic in
fluence at work in him. Now I discov-
cred the second element in the conten-
ton it wa extremely physical fatigue.
1 could still see the hunger for action in
his eye ; he watched the swiftly travel
ing balls as though he envied them !; but
his heavy limbs lay abroad as though
there were no power left to rally them.
How was this condition to be accounted
for9 Poverty could have nothing to do
with it. He wore one ring which must
have cost more than many families
have to spend in a whole year. His
dress was a little tossed and soiled,
but of the most fashionable cut and
materials.
Something far deeper than my curiosi-
ty was now reused, and for the life of me
1 could not keep my eyes off him.
At length the balls ceased to roll /; the
players took their leave ; the lights were
turned down !; the marker approached
the weary man and asked if he wished to
play. "No," in a tremulous voice, out
of which all the volume and spirit had
departed. AS he uttered the word he
rose heavily, came with q slow pace
round the table, and entered the long
passage. I followed. AS he reached
the outer door / entered the passage.
He stood for a moment looking into the
fog, and then 1 heard him mutter, "The
day will ever come. I'll go to the
river"
"To the riverl To the river, with
those weary limbs and hat passion Of
restlessness eating his reason away? Il
can mean only one thing. To the river,
if you like, but not alone. I'll follow
With these thoughts, I fastened aftel
him.
There was no great necessity for eau:
ton. The fog and lis intense preoccu
patton made it unnecessary for me tt
take unusual care. 1 kept close to him
and followed him through an intricate
network of narrow lanes. At length we
came into q broader street, and I as
sumed, from the dip in the ground, ant
a certain sensation of vagueness ant
coldness ahead, that we had entered the
approach to a bridge. He walked rap
idly away, and I was about ten PAGES be
hind. Presently the ground ceased t.
fall. 1t became level. I missed tn,
houses, and, looking more closely, made
out a low parapet.
Still he hurried on. 1 drew nearer tx
him. There was no knowing the mo
ment he would place his hand on tina
low parapet and vault into the obscuret
waters beneath. The perspiration stoot
out on myforehead. I was on the poin
of rushing forward and seizing him
when he drew up suddenly, and place.
his hand on the parapet. There wa
now no doubt of his intention. L leape,
forward and tapped him smartly on tn
shoulder.
He turned round and confronted me
We were standing under a gas-lamp
The light was feeble, but quite enougl
to let me see the expression of his face
There was no anger OF annoyance in hi
eyes. He stared at me in a half-wild
half. dull way, and did not seem to as
or care why I had touched him
Something in his aspect put m
out of conceit with my suicide
theory for him. I did not say the word
I had arranged. His appearance fol-
babe me.
81 am o stranger i'll London. I al
rived here only this evening. Pardo
me, but I have lost my way. Woul
you be good enough to set me right ?"
He continued to look at me in til
same dull, ~unspeculative manner. II
completely disregarded M question
"We have met tonight before. Di
you follow me from where 1 fell to til
billiard-room" he asked in a low, worr
out voice.
1 was thunderstricken. He had nc
only seen me at the time of the accident
but had recognized me in the billiard
room. 1 lost my self-possession con
pletely. "No," I muttered, 81 di
not follow you from where you fell to til
billiard-room."
"That is strange" he unused, "ver
strangel What a coincidence But di
you follow me from the billiard-room
this?"
eyes"
"Why2"
az heard you mutter something abol
tomorrow never coming, and the rive
ard I feared"
"What?"
"Well, your manGer-pray excuse n
seemed a little excited, and I feare
that perhaps you might waved m
hand vaguely in the direction of IL
river.
To my profound establishment, I ma
say horror, he burst out into a hysteric
laugh, leaned against the parapet of
bridge, and surveyed me with a hal
amused, Multiplying look. After a m,
ment he shook himself /; regarded II
fixedly, asked me where 1 lived {
stayed; and when I had answered, SAT-
"Come with me-"
There were two good objects to be a
tanned by going with him: 1 shoul
draw him away from the river, and
myself should get home. We walked
silence together. 1 didnot know how
reopen the conversation after what ha
occurred. Evidently he did not wish
speak. His gait was unsteady, and whe
we had gone about half a mile 1 asked
we should get a cab, or if he would tax
! my arm. He made no reply, but toe
| my arm and leaned heavily upon me.
1 haven't the least idea of the way "
went. We made many turnings, and
) grew gradually to feel that we were pei
Grating the better portion of Londol
Lights shone over the doors, and mus
came from the drawing-rooms, and MOI
than once I caught glimpses of spacior
balls through doorways while carriage
: waited without. I was on the point
asking him If he were uuite sure he ha