The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-09-24
unmeasured despair .took hold OF him.


in q soliloQuizing tone as he walked up
and down smoking, never once glancing
ut the silent, erect figure in the window.
Freedom. Only those who have sur
rendered it know the full sweetness of
that word. Every door would be open
to you. You need not only be u Bohe-
milan. A fellow like you, of undoubted
talent, well looking, clever, independent
and with some money would not have
to knock at society's golden door for ad-
mission. 1t would fly open to you. For
myself | hate the stiff set, but it is al
ways we'll for an artist to become
acquainted with every sort of human.
Under conditions of this sort your artistic
vein would warm and expand, your IA
ture vibrate to change after change. The
man who enters race fettered is fool.
When have said this, have said ALL"
There was silence after these words
and then the rustling of paper. Tom
hastily turned and saw Delatole leaning
against the table, looking scornfully over
each of the pages whereon the criticism
was written that had so delighted him.
A painful premonition made him cold.
but he said nothing.
"Ah, well, wish l had known that
you contemplated this idiocy before
wasted time and ink on you, Murray.
You didn't tell me, of course No rea-
son why you should. But assure you.
had guessed what manner of man You
were l wouldn't have plunged into such
a bewildering prophecy about your fu-
ture greatness. I'm not usually so inn
pulsive," and he rent the sheets half
across before Toms voice made him
pause.
''Is this fair? If you really liked The
Worlds Way why won't you say so?'
The mysterious violet gray of twilight
stealing through the high windows be-
hind him touched his young face with
shadows. 1t was pinched, eager, watch
full.
"Oh, I'll do that, of course. A few
lines, a paragraph, will suffice, but not
this psalm of victory, this heralding of
a new voice that is not to be stilled, but
will rise again and again-not that
You'll have to prove all I've said false
before write of you in that strain"
And he was the incarnation of bland,
impersonal regret as the papers once
more futtered i'll his hands.
He looked them over half regretfully.
cts one of the best things I've ever
written, but i'll submission to my honest
opinion 1 must destroy it,"
III Il few strides Tom was beside him,
They looked intently at each other
Toms eyes wavcred and fell
"Don't-don't," he said, and his voice
was half choked. Give me time. Let
me Think
Half an hour later they were walking
up University place. They dined at
chophouse frequented by Bohemia.
where tables were bare and beer was
served in mugs.
Better than Delmonico's in certain
moods" said Delatole as they crossed
the sanded floor; 1.-The food is excellent
and cooked to suit Lucullus. AS accom-
paniments you have art, devil-may- care
ism, smoke and even socialism,"
His friends were scattered through
the long room, and merry greetings were
called ont to him, which he repaid in
kind. The hours passed in sparkling
"reminiscences, jests and laughter. Della
tole's levity became astonishing, and in
this 1mpudent wag, who soon formed
| group around himself, ,ere was not
trace of the cynic, the philosopher, the
serious man of letters. Much that he
said was coarse, but so audaciously hui
morous it was impossible not to respond.
Tom found himself moved to entnusi-
asm and laughter His pulses were
alive; his eyes glistened. Yes, let him
reason as he would, he was attuned to
this reckless brilliancy, this mingling of
wits, this chatter of defiant freedom and
spontaneity. Delatole was right. Chance
words here and there gave him new in
sight into happy. modern paganism
that filled his brain with imagery. The
witchery, the sweep of it were intoxicat-
ing.
He regretted when o'clock came and
Delatole parted with him to keep an APP
pointment at his club. No word had
been exchanged between the two men
upon the subject that so nearly con-
cerned them both. Now, as Tom hur-
| ried up town the undecided question
danced before his eyes, his heart became
suddenly weighted
Should he cast the old life behind him
utterly and enter upon new one-free!
| He reached Union square. 1t sparkled
in crystal whiteness. The branches pat
termed on the pavements waved fantas-
| tically about his feet as he strobe on, his
head down. Passionate indecision went
with him like Il wrath in the white rays.
He thought of his enchanted dreaming
of the night before. Only last night!
All, he. had learned much since then.
Had he ever really reasoned or under
stood before?
keep yourself unshackled. The man
who enters IL race fettered is fool"