Waterbury evening Democrat., 1891-11-17
The Man With a Thumb.
BY w. C. HUDSON.
BARCLAY Norlb.)

"a am able to see, not one step has
been made, nor one single fact gathered
that brings us nearer to the end, the ac-
complishment Of which is the only justi-
fication for my being involved in it at
all"
He got up and walked into the street.
AS he went up Broadway he said:
"What will do will be to see Mr..
Nettleman and have a talk with him.
That much is due him, and l have not
seen him for two weeks. I'll do it this
very afternoon. The life l am leading
is unbearable."
He did not go that afternoon, how
ever, for on reaching his rooms he
found his friend Eustace in possession.
81 have been waiting so long for you, !"
he cried, "tEat l have come to believe
these apartments are mine Do you
know, like them better than my own. :"
"Then perhaps you may obtain
Them" said Dorison.
"Why? What does that mean?"
"It means, Eustace, that you see a
Disguised and contemplate creature be-
fore you. am half persuaded to cut
this life and go back to Dubuque"
Something has gone wrong, ma
chere. The blues, eh2 l have them
sometimes myself"
"My trouble is far greater than the
blues" said Dorison, throwing himself
at full length upon the lounge, and
looking at Eustace fixedly for some time.
81 wonder, Charley" he said at length,
''if there will be time when you will
regard me with bitterness and con-
tempt-when you will never be able tc
think of me without loathing and hor'
ror."
"What condition of mind are you in
| today?"
"The confessional, although l shall
make no confession. Perhaps all these
dark and gloomy vapors will pass away
and the bright sunbeams play over u'
both. Whether any sunlight, however
will ever irradiate my life again great
ly doubt. Charley, my boy, | am {
monomanaic. l have but one purpose
in life, and to that am bending every
thing, sacrificing everything - home
comfort, honor and friends. Beware O
me! | am not what l seem on the sur
face. During my life have never me
any one of either sex to whom l hav
been so much attracted as have been t.
you-no one Of whom | have been g.
fond. Yet, my boy, heed me. If yo1
should run counter to this life purpos
of mine, so completely have become it
slave, believe / would sacrifice you.
say again, beware of mel Hold me OF
at arms length. Do not give me singl
advantage. God knows that when l an
in the mood am now l pray ferventl,,
that the friendship we have forme,
within the past few weeks may ripe
with our days, strengthen with GU
years, and be still hale when our head
are gray. But tell you, old man." an
he rose from the lounge in his earnest
ness, "the day is coming when tina
friendship will be put to as severe ties
as friendship ever was"
Eustace, who had regarded Doriso
seriously, said:
81 think you are in frame Of min
which either is the result of a seriou
physical arrangement, or great ments
tribulation. If it is the latter, and
| apprehend it is, l advise you to take in
mediate steps toward remedy. And i
such cases take it the best remedy
to pour out your condolences to som
friend you can trust"
"There are some things that must /
borne alone" replied Dorison with
sigh. mine is one. For eight years
have borne them
"And alone, nursing them" Interrupt
ed Eustace "That is just it."
q