The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1894-04-05

to the table while slowly drawing off his
gloves. "How awfully kind of you'll Ny
conviction that you mean it 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 musingly-
you don't look like yourself today.
Aren't you welly''
"rm quite WELL"
"But you seem depressed"
Tom smoked for moment in silence.
Mot so much depressed. l am dis
gusted,' he said fiercely. Ibid you
know that was-drunk last night!'
Delatole opened his eyes very wide
and softly laughed as II infinitely
amused.
II wish you wouldn't laugh" Tom
said, a little sullenly, streak Of color
crossing his cheek. at was the first
time and is not pleasant to remember"
Delatole's eyebrows twitched; he low
cred his eyes and thoughtfully moved
some trifle ON the table.
But, say. are You going in for re-
spectability--for that cumbersome re-
spectability that strains at gnat? Are
youf'
The languid curiosity of his tone was
more contemptuous than his laugh.
Tom was troubled by strange feeling
as he listened. He did not like Delatole
in his usual genial, unreserved way.
Just to watch the slow movements Of
his hstless hands held an enigmatical
fascination. He felt a strong desire to
emulate his ease and sagacity, but I'M
derneath and through it all there fioated
an i'll defined repulsion.
The man seemed the product Of q
forced, perverted life. Something about
his dark pallor and sneering lips dimly
reminded Tom of flower forced into O
semblance of bloom by the aid of nox-
ious gas, but with life and color and
strength missing.
"You see, my dear fellow" Delatole
continued. II know that you are fresh
from religious environment-thaty you
are young; therefore don't accept your
views seriously. Perhaps they are but
natural. l won't label you 'prig' and
give you mp. I'll only give you time.
Here comes my man with some brandy
and soda. Perhaps your saintship won't
have anyg'
"Of course will. You don't suppose
meant to draw such fine distinctions.
Surely you understand" said Tom ear
nestly, and he looked Away into the leap
ing golden heart of the fire. LAST
nights events gave blow to my precon-
ceived ideas of life. / mean to hold to
them, You see."
Rubbish! A little laxity only makes
mans nature wholesomely expand.
Now, look here, Murray" and Delatole
spoke impressively as he stroked his
pointed beard, I'm going to transplant
you, and to q soil where you'll grow
mentally. II you don't astound us with
II play even more unforgettable than
The Worlds Way because more ma
ture, it won't be my fault"
A question darkened Toms eyes, and
he leaned eagerly forward.
"You made a wonderfully good guess
at life's flavor in The Worlds Way
But I'm going to make You taste it in
truth, the brackish and the sweet. In
short, I'm going to ask you to pitch in
your fortunes with mine and share these
rooms with me. Since Glendenning dis
appointed me have preferred to live
and dream alone. But-frankly-I like
you. The suite is large. We would
not clash. Besides, just across the hall
| is an atelier left vacant since De Courcey
ran away only recently to escape his
debts. You'll probably find the drapery
of departed model still upon the plat
form. You could furnish it as you
please and have it as your own particu-
| lar den."
He watched Toms eyes travel half
wistfully around the odd, artistic place
Charming" he said at length and
added slowly. but impossible. Yoh
see, I'm going to marry very soon."
Delatole stared at him as il incapable
Of grasping the statement.
Eyes," said Tom, and now q blunt
tenderness rang in his voice, II am go
| ing to marry Virginia Kent"
Are you madg" and the words were o
slow exclamation.
Delatole rose as he spoke. lifted one of
the fragile glasses on the table and con-
temptuously flung it from him. 1t lay
upon the hearth. mass Of opaline SPIN
tiers.
this impndent wag. who soon formed o
group around himself, there was not o
trace Of the cynic, the philosopher. the
serious man Of letters. Much that he
said was coarse, but so audaciously hu-
morous 1t was impossible not to respond.
Tom found himself moved to enthusi-
asm and laughter. His pulses were
alive; his eyes glistened. Yes, let him
reason as he would, he was attuned to
this reckless brillianey, this mingling of
wits, this clatter Of defiant freedom and
spontaneity. Delatole was right. Chance
words here and there gave him a new in
sight into happy, modern paganism
that filled his brain with imagery. The
witchery. the sweep Of it were intoxicat-
lag.
He regretted when 0 o'clock came and
Delatole parted with him to keep an ap-
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 east the old life behind him
utterly and enter upon new one--freei
lie reached Union square. 1t sparkled
in crystal whiteness. The branches pat
termed on the payements waved fantas-
tically about his feet as he strobe on, his
head down. Passionate indecision went
with him like 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 beforeY