The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-07
true smoker in his trouble always should, he be-

true smoker in his trouble always should, he be-
gan to smoke and to walk up and down.
He had lost her! Lost her through his own
violent jealousy! And the thought wrung his
heart so that he groaned and swore.
AS the day wore on Reginald tried to work;
but it was no good; he even forgot what the
thing was he meant to do. In those days life was
hard fight with Longhurst; he did the illus
tratlng for some of the cheap papers; Also ne dia
the reviewing for some of the weeklleS, aud OF
these means just managed to get along In the
present and hoped for better things in the fut-
IRE. The apartment which served him for
study. studio and bedroom was veritable
workshop, and lacked both grace and comfort.
This room was in a tall, shabby house, standing
In a shabby street. Feet trarnped up and down
stairs; bells rang; somewhere baby squaled
prolongedly and painfully; all these
things he noticed, and they all seemed to him
fraught with a special significance At length
he took up his hat and set his face westward.
After walking some distance he stopped before
handsome house, She door of which was opened
by stately footman, of whom Reginald in
quired II Mr.. Fullerton were within
MIR. Fullerton was at home" the man replied,
"but he was at work in the studio"
All right" rejoined Reginald; hell see me,
know just tell him that Mr.. Longhurst wishes
to see him."
The man disappeared, and swiftly returning,
led the way to Fullerton's studio. No mere
work shop this. The walls of it were hung with
costliest tapestries, the floor strewn with Persian
rugs. In different corners stood wonderful an
tlque vases: from some of which great lilies
doomed. The room was pervaded with the
scents of latakia and coffee; and moving
softly to and fro in this artistic paradise, was
the spirit of the place. Edward Fullerton, very
dear to the heart of aesthetic London. He was
tall and slight. with long fair hair, and dreamy,
far-away look in the large brown eyes; yet he
was known to be sharp hand at bargain.
Between these two men, who were close. friends,
there could hardly have been greater contrast
the one every inch of him the practical work
man, the other every inch the useless aesthetic.
Still they liked each other. Fullerton's luxury
interested Longhurst, whose strong manliness in
turn stimulated the other.
What's the matter9' asked Fullerton, in the
softest of voices, when the door had closed, "You
look even wilder than usual Besides, l thought
you were going to take holiday with your young
woman as you call herp
II have no young woman" replied the other,
lighting cigar.
Broken Off" asked Fullerton with genuine
sympathy.
Yes. that's it. We quarreled about some
thing, and told her to CO." Then after pause,
and something like gulp, ''she went; that's ALL !"
There was silence for some time. Then Full
lerton said, laying his hand on the others
shoulder:
you must live for artl"
In reply to which Reginald id art, and got
up. saying, well, I'll be off now! / thought I'd
just look in to let you have the news I'm not
company yet for any man. Goodbye. Look
you up soon again, and with pressure of hands
they parted
Getting in everybody's way, Reginald wan
dered aimlesslv about the London streets. When
1t was evening, sudden faintnesss reminded
him that he had eaten nothing all day long, SO he
went into the ar-parlors of a restaurant he
knew. and had himself served with bread, and
cheese, and beer. This simple meal over, he
filled his pipe and called for whisky and water;
and there he sat smoking. and again and yet
again having his glass repenished No romance
to be got out of such lovor as this, is therel
None at all; he is unromantc as the pipe in
his mouth, as the glass Of spirits at his elbow
unromantic as any of the horsey gentlemen who
share the room with him, and who look some
times. without being noticed by him, at the man
sitting there with the dark 'scowling brows,
smoking hard and drinking steadily without the
process seeming in any way to lessen his gloom.
The floor of the parlor was strewn with fine
shavings, and henceforth their smell will always
out the clouds of tobacco raised from many
pipes, her fair face seemed to float and look at
him; and he heard again her voice, 80 appalling
ly quiet passing sentence after his mad outbreak
of jealous rage. AT the same time his ear regis
tered all the sounds going on around him, the
hammerlng of glasses on the table by customers
desiring to have them refilled-the frequent de-
mands at the bar for "fours of Scotch whisky"
"goes of gin" and such like, and the eternal
query Of .'Well, old man, what shall it bel"
Then the tavern boosted club, and it happened
to be club night, and from an adjoining room
came many shout and many a music hall
ditty, the chorus being given with true British
spirit; and all these things. and all the hot reek
of the place. became fused with his despair.
romantic lover! Not he! He should be down by
the dark waters edge meditating his final plunge
instead OF BOOKING here at the Gray Horse" like
veritable topper. But he will not booze all
night AT length he settlas his account, pulls
his hat down over his eyes, and goes out.
He was one of those stoutly- built strong
headed men who can imbibe largely without
showing any ill effects. He walked erectly and
steadily back to his room, entered it, threw him
self heavily on the bed and turned to the wall,
with sigh of infinite WEAKNESS. In few min
utes the sound of heavy breathing that filled the
room showed the whisky had done its work. The
man had drank that he might sleep, and he slept.
TO BE CONTINUED NEXT SUNDAY.