The Arkansaw traveler., 1885-10-03
< How do you feel. Theodore 2v

Impose What on earth do you mean ?" His face was scarlet; he shook and he caught at the side of the berth as if he were failing.
 got on to my elbow and tried to leave the bed, but the effort was too great my head swam fell back helplessly.. laS still awhile. Theodore returned to hi: seat on the sofa, and again fixed his eye: on the floor as before. The dinner bel rang.
 "Are you not going to dinner, Theo- dore f' asked.
 He did not reply. repeated the ques tion. He looked at me, muttered, ano began to move about.
 Again asked the question. No; do not want to eat,' he said shortly.
 "You have eaten nothing today"
 am not hungry. Don't bother me Charley"
 Theodore, insist upon knowing what has produced this extraordinary change in you. Tell me, or I'll get up and bring the doctor. What has made you ill 1"
 Really and truly, Charley, am no, ill at all bit out of sorts. Lie still you are as weak as kitten. What will you have for dinner ?"
 |" will not eat again until you tell me what is preying upon your mind. You fughten me, Theodore Only something of the most extraordinary nature could have metamorphosed you into the hag- gard, harassed wretch that you have be- come. You are perfect wreck"
 He laughed, wild, passionate, mock ing laugh, and turned his face from me.
 The steward knocked at the door, call ing to ask if l would have some dinner.
 ." Do have something, Charley,' sad Theodore, who became suddenly col. lected, "and will dine with you. Here, steward, come in."
 The door opened, the steward entered, and with him the doctor. After a few in- quiries regarding my health, the latter said to Theodore: |" want to show you those things l spoke of ia my cabin"
 My brother looked at him with inten Sc surprise, then fash of understanding shot into his eyes, and he said in a quav- ering voice: will be with you in five minutes; l am not dressed"
 l had not been alone many instauts when the steward entered my room in a stealthy manner. and came close to me whispering: Has your brother told you p
 Told me! What?"
 "Of the TOW in the smoke-reom last night"
 What do you mean?"
 Why, you see, he was playing cards ana lost lot of money--so 1t IS reported, for of course was not there, and it ended in him knocking gentleman down"
 l ero'ned so deeply that the man was frightened, and made clumsy excuses for mentioning the matter. pressed his hand reassuringly, but could not speak |; then l motioned to him to leave me. How can describe the abyss of despair into which the story hurled me2 Theo- dore gambling, drinking, quarreliug, go- ing to the bad alreadyl Gamblingl All at once recurred the scene of the bank notes he had held before me when fell i'll. 1 had forgotten it. Then returned the boys wild behavior at the dinner ta- ble L'Estrange that evil being had justified my opinion of him. On, why had been ill My absence had permitted this terrible debasement of my brother.
 Hours seemed to pass before Theodore returned. He did nos speak, but began to pull off his clothes, as if going to bed. The light was turned down to glimmer. He thought was asleep.
 Do not undress, Theodore" 1 said as calmly as could turn up the light
 Do you want something, Charley?"
 Yes, l want to talk with you"
 |" Put it off till morning; I'm so tired that cannot talk" He sighed wearily.
 No, Theodore, must talk, however tired you arc. Come here, unhappy boy, and tell me what you have been doing. Whom did you strike in the smoke. room 2'
 He recoiled from me and made for the door l sprang out of my berth and caught him by the arm.
 "Let me go, Charley, tor mercy's sake. cannot remain here; it will kill me '" His looks of horror, his mad efforts to tear my hands from him, his ecstacy oi terror for an instant stunned me. Then an icy quiet came over him, knew that something supremely serious had hap pened to have changed my brother so absolutely.
 "Slt down! ]" said authoritatively. "Tell me the whole truth can bear it"
 He looked at me as the bird at the rat. tlesnake, half fearing, h alf confident.
 l turned to increase the light, and he again became restless. "Nov, Theodore, out with it. No good can come from de- lay, and concealment is impossible {; others will tell me. Let me hear the ex- tent of my shame from the author of it. What have you done2"
 Don't, don't speak like that, Charley; cant bear it."
 "l thought you were man and afraid of nothing"
 was so once, my brother. am not a man any longer; am villain, fratri- eide. Oh, heavenly father, why have lived to commit su b crimein
 These dreadful words tore my soul as grape-shot ravages the flesh. stared into the weeping eyes of the miserable boy; placed my hands upon his head