Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1893-10-08
CHAPTER VIII.

"Aro you worth her lover"
CHAPTER VIII.
Delatole's apartments were In the
University building. He loved the
weather stained pile because it was OLD
so little was old in New York. de
loved the gloomy halls and the high'
dusty windows. His rooms were
medley where discord In the extreme
blended into startling harmony.
Curiosity shops had been ransacked Ior
treasures, and he had even paid nylng
visits to ship chambers shops upon the
wharves in the desire TO collect antago-
nistic bits. Fish neJs that had the
salt of the sea woven into their hoers
took the place Of more convenien-
tional hahgiugs. Mugs OF every size
and the most fanciful shapes, some OF
them very old, hung in q line around
the mantel, each mirror for the crack
ling fire below. Divans swathed In
Turkish stuffs jutted from shawowy
angles and held palpitating CLEANS
from hanging lamps in their oriental,
bespangled folds. His bed had curtains
of pale tapestry fragrant rs spice and
topped up by spears. 1t was screened
by a leather Indian mat resem billing the
back Of huge turtle and suspended by
hooks from the ceiling.
Delatole had many sides to his char
acter. He was rake, parasite, but
he was also genuine artist aud loved
his work. He loved the sombre dreams
which stole in upon his solitude in this
old house, in this old street. They
tipped his pen with cabalistc power
When the wind hOwled and the snow
fell, the dratty passages seemed trodden
by ghostly feet, and fancy often
crossed his threshold, CARRIED in some
futtering rag of the dead years. Some
times he had but to half shut his eyes,
and looking across his untidy desk TO
the limits Of the spacious square be-
yond see the roof tops stretch away
into a sun-kissed desert, and the hang
ing smoke become the white tents OF a
waiting army.
Yes, he loved tina place, but ID must
go and his life there be remembered as
dream. On this November afternoon
while he waited for Tom he held in his
hand, which was trembling with rage, q
notice to leave these self same opart-
ments or pay a very large sum in very
short time. Curious that man should
prefer as a tenant some commonplace
fellow with money instead OF brilliant
critic who made cigarette lighters or
his dunnng letters! A few oaths that
reduced creation to chaos, and few
puffs Of cigarette cleared his brain.
He sat back TO think.
So much money had gone at the gam
bling table; so much on the races; so
much 10 speculation. And the result?
Enormous bills flowing in from every
quarter, chief among them an appalling
array of figures for more than q years
rent.
There's not a hole or corner where
I can borrow a third of it," he ex-
claimed impatiently, and Tightening the
girdle Of the eastern robe EMBEDDING his
slight figure he stroled to the window.
and through the tangle Of bare branches
looked across at the snowy grass plats
! Of Washington square.
He scarcely moved for,many minutes.
Was there nothing ne could do? Moth
ing? One plan after another was dis
missed as impracticable until his eyes
fell upon Tom coming across the park,
the orange light streaming from the
west behind him, making a moving sill
houette of his vigorous figure.
Delatole's eyes became inscrutable,
| the smoke wreaths curled furiously
around his head, and he caressed his lip
with the point Of his tongue, as IL he
had literally tasted a palatable thought.
you fool! Why didn't you think Of
him before?" he said aloud and burst
out laughing.
When the sedate English valet, who
had almost forgotten the look Of Ameri-
can money, opened the door for Tom,
mis- host strolled from the window with
hands outstretched.
"Only half an hour late" he said air
lily in his drawing voice. Not bad for
a new celebrity. Did you see The Chdt-
lengG this morning? Good-Wasn't il?
Here, read this"
He picked up some loosely scattered
pages covered with his delicate, cramp p
ed writing and pushed them into Toms
hands.
This will be in on Thursday morn
ing. You see, it's minute review Of
the play. You certainly can't COM
plain"
Tom carried them to the window ard
turned one rDstling page after another.
Glorious words were these-magnetic
intense. And how true.-HOw marvel
ously true! His own Intimate struggles
In writing the play had been OWNED by
the keen critical understanding OF the
writer. The lines flowed delicstely, sub
tly. and were sweet as incense. They
throbbed In his brain; his eyes bright
ened.
~ had not hoped for this" he said,
with a grateful glance as he came back
TO the table while slowly drawing of
his gloves. Chow aWfully slnd OF you.
My conviction that you mean 1t all IS
far dearer than that New York will
read these words"
Eyes, mean it all"
Delatole handed him cigarette, gave
an abrupt glance at his harassed, weary
face. and said musingiy-
You don't look like yourself to-day.
Aren't you well?"
I'm quite we'll"
but YOU seem depressed"
Tom smoked for moment In silence.
mot so much depressed. / an dis
gusted," he said iercely. ibid you
know that was-drunk last night?"
Delatole opened his eyes very wide
and softly laughed as ii infinitely
amused.
"I wish you wouldn't laugh" Tom
said, little sullenlJ, . streak Of color