The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1891-03-25

there was not jot of the spy in Hadley's
nature, something in the ihtonation held
him spell-bound.
"But why not9" said the other voice,
melodious baritone--low, persuasive,
thrilling. "But why notl Itwas a con.
ditional promise; the conditions have
changed and that is"
"No; it is not that" broke in the
girl. She was speaking quietly, tut a
pathethic little quaver ran through her
words. "Oh, can't you understand He
is honest and true, and could not break
his heartl"
A moisture sprang on Hadley's fore
head and very slowly he opened and
closed his hands. There was pause, and
then the pleasant baritone again:
care there no rivers in Damascus9
What of my heart, Alicel" Hadley
heard no more. Something seemed to
suffocate him. His breath went no
further than than his throat, and the
dusky web of lilac. branches danced in
black and shapeless phantasmagoria be-
fore his eyes. He was dimly conscious
of patter of feet, wave of perfume,
and gush of yellow light as the hall door
clashed open and shut, and then he knew
he was alone again.
Alonel A hideous sense of loss, and
bitter, hopeless desolation, such as he had
never felt and never dreamed of, over
whelmed him. lie did not think; he did
not dare to think. He staggered to his
feet, opened the gate and passed out.
To run away, to elude this thing as if
it was some sentient, palpable pursuer,
was the first impulse that possessed him,
and he hurried on, blindly, stumblingly,
he cared not where. How far he walked
thus he had no means of knowing, but
when he stopped it was on a thronging
thoroughfare, before the window a great
emporium, aquiver with electric lights.
He drew a long breath and pulled him
self together. An illuminated dial that
punctured the gloom of the upper air
marked after midnight, and faintnesS
began to assail him, deadly reaction
that turned his knees to water. The
careless, alien crowd Jared on him, the
barbaric spendor of the windows smote
upon his brain; he wanted to be alone,
and presently he saw the open doorway
of cafe and entered.
A few people sat at tables here and
there, and on one hand were the cur
tanned doorways of a row Of little rooms
or stalls. He walked instinctively
toward one of these and drew the
drapery aside. A man within, who was
musing, apparently, over bottle and a
half-eateu meal, ned at the sound,
and the roommate looked one another
in the face.
Ashton was the first to recover him
self, and sprang up with outstretched
hand.
"Why, my dear felloww he exclaimed,
"Am | indebted to insomnia for this
pleasurel"
Hadley took his hand absently, but
did not at once reply. What was there
about that voice, with its plausible, vi
brating timbre, that thrilled him so9
81 have been little troubled" he
said, hesitatingly, "and tried to-walk
it off"
"Ha And came in here, I dare say,
to drown it in drink, as the proyerb
goes. My word for it, trouble is the
thirstiest thing on earth. l tried to
drown small sorr " in drink once, and
when was under the table there was the
sorrow, sober as judge. But I'll tell
you something, Hadley, it won't stand
feeding. The proper thing to drown
sorrow in is nut, N chops and fried po-
tatoes. Suppose we put it to the touch.
Waiterl"
''Iold!" said Hadley, who burned to
stop.this badinage, 81 am not hungry
not in the least. Let me sit down mo-
ment and think"
He sank into a vacant chair and gazed
at the other with a sudden, haggard in
tentness. A thought had just occurred
to his distracted mind. Why was not
this man, so bright, so versatile, so self
contained, so en- rapport with the great
world and its usages-why was not he the
very man of all men to give him counsel
in this predicamentl
"Ashton," he said, 81 am in distress.
Will you give me your advice9"
Ashton smiled grimiy
"You have come to a good shop for
advice" he said. "My whole life is
more or less a warning. However, if
can be of any service to you, blaze away
Out with it, my boy"
But Hadley did not find the story so
easy to tell.
81 am engaged to be married." he
said, at length.
"Hol hop cried Ashton. 81 forsee
a stern parent with a prejudice against
literary characters. Then something
in the others face checked HIM, and he
dropped his tone of levity. "Forgiye
me-" he said, gently. "What is this
trouble of yoursG You need not men,
ton the lady's name, of course. Make
it a hypothetical case"
"Oh, mol" said Hadley, 81 can con
fide in you. She is the best girl in the
world. Her name is Alice Tyler"
Ashton was leaning over the table
toying with glass, bu. at the words he
rose lnvoluntarily and fixed his eyes upon
the other with strange and challenging
regard. Hadley paused for moment
with dim and troubled conscience that
he had touched some hidden spring;
but only for a moment, and then, slowly
and incoherently, he told his story.
Ashton sank back as he proceeded and
heard him in silence to the end.
500 you know this mani" he asked,
when it was done.
"No," replied Hadley, gloomily.
''What does it matter who he is?"
Ashton did not reply; he seemed lost