The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1890-07-04

was HOU DfdncS s IaulG JnaU ne naQ nO|
washed his face, and it was aggravating
to have hint like this thrown out by
fate to embitter the results Of her own
doings. Drane was on the point of tear
ing the ticket in rage and disdain when
his better judgment checked him. A
Turkish bath-houso was a nice, quiet
place to rest. 1t offers the greatest OF
luxuries on hot day. True, severely
thorough bath is not good thing to take
on an too empty stomach, but still he
was sure that it could not make him feel
any more hollow than he did without it.
He arose and began his search for West
Twenty-seventh street. 1t was not far
away, and in less than half an hour he
stood in front Of No. 80. A handsome
building it was; perhaps little too or
nate but eminently suggestive of lux
ury. Drane entered and presented his
ticket at the desk. The attendant
stared at him.
''How the dickens did you get this
ticket?" he asked.
Then Drane saw that he would have
to lie. He was determined to get inside
the bath now, and small matter of
falsehood should not stand in his way.
His moral sense had been gradually
weakened by the evil companionship OF
his clothes and he was in condition to
stretch the fabric of truths spotless
robe till he split it up the back.
"Look here" he said, 81 am quite reg
ular patron of this place. You don't recog-
nize me because-we1l, to tell the truth,
I've been on a hard spree for wecl,
and have got pretty we'll torn up, as
you see. I'd like to sober up here in
the bath and then I'll send out for a
suit Of clothes in which can begin an
era of reform by going home to dinner ~
''What's your name?" asked the at
tendant, hesitatingly.
Drane looked over his shoulder as if
to make sure that nobody could hear
him declare his real identity, and then
bending over the desk ne whispered:
"John II. Smyth. You remember the
name, don't you?'
"Well I've heard it before" the clerk
admitted, "but 1 can't place you"
cam 1 so changed by single week
of debauchery?" said Drane, sadly; then,
in still more confidential tone: s'You
must recall my name. l spell it with a
Y"
The clerk smiled.
81 guess it's all right, Mr.. Smyth.
Shall take care of your valuables?"
'You're too late, my young friend, Z"
said Drane. Somebody else is taking
care of them in way that beats the
safe-deposit vault out of sight"
The clerk laughed and gave Drane a
little key strung on rubber band de-
| signed to go about the latter's wrist
Number forty-one," he called to an
attendant, who Immediately conducted
Drane to his dressing-room.
What delight it was to lay aside the
rags of poverty! When Drane emerged
from the little room clothed only in
sheet, he felt as good as his neighbor.
Even his hunger relented for time,
and he enjoyed his bath thoroughly.
1t was two o'clock by the magnificent
time-piece which stood among artificial
flowers in the great hall of tho bath,
when he returned to his room and his
rags His soul and body rebellod
against them more strongly than ever
before. They contrasted painfully with
the luxury by which he had been sur
rounded. He sat in his chair with his head
in his hands and groaned aloud. Faint
ness had followed the bath, and had
been aggravated by the sight of men
| enjoying rolls and coffee, while they re-
clined upon the divans in the hall. He
almost made up his mind to order
breakfast, and trust to luck to get away
alive without paying for it.
'Here you are, sir, number forty-two,"
said voice; and Drane heard an at
tendant usher man into the next
dressing-room.
'"Thank you, sir" he heard the fell
low say minute later. Then he knew
that the man in the next stall had
tipped the attendant. They talked
together minute, while the visitor
inquired about the bath and the
restaurant which was connected with
it. Then he tipped the fellow again,
and got more thanks.
"He has plenty of money" of course,
groaned Drane, "why shouldn't he give
some of itaway? Why shouldn't he lend
me some? Why shouldn't climb over the
partition and negotiate the loan myself
while he's out of the way?"
The rags were corrupting him. They
seemed actually to talk, to suggest
envy, malice, and theft.
"'Get thee behind me-, garments of
Satan" he said, smiling bitterly; and
he arose and walked out again into the
hall. An obliging attendant prepared
divan for him; and he had no sooner
stretched himself upon it than he fell
asleep.
Drane was awakened by the voice of
the man who had occupied the dressing
room next to his. He looked up, and
saw well-built young man-so far as
the sheet in which he was wrapped al
lowed his proportions to be seen--pre-
pairing to take the next divan. The
stranger was about Dranes weight and
height, and they resembled each other
not little, despite the fact that while
Drane was handsome man, the other
would never have been accused of anv
thing more serious than the possession
OF good figure. One face was almost a
caricature of the other. Drane could
not help thinking how much he should
have resembled his neighbor if his own
life throughout had been like the last
few days.
The stranger ordered some breakfast,