Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1894-01-13

Il wish you wouldn't laugh, ION
said, ii 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- that cumbersome re-
spectability that strains at gnatY Are
your"
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 istless 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 foated
an i'll defined repulsion.
The man seemed the product of a
forced, perverted life. Something about
his dark pallor and sneering lips dimly
reminded Tom Of flower forced into a
semblance of bloom by the aid of nox-
ious gas, but with life and color and
strength missing.
lyon see, my dear fellow" Delatole
continued, Il know that you are fresh
from religious enyironment-tha you
are young; therefore don't accept your
views seriously. Perhaps they are but
natural. | won't label you 'prig' and
give you up. I'll only give you time.
Here comes my man with some brandy
and soda. Perhaps your saintship won't
have any?"
"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 soil where you'll grow
mentally. If you don't astound US with
a play even more unforgettable than
The Worlds Way because more ma
tire, 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-franlly-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 a 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. You
see, I'm going to marry very soon"
Delatole stared at him as if incapable
of grasping the statement.
Yes said Tom. and now blunt
tenderness rang in his voice, Il am go
ing to marry Virginia Kent"
Are you mad!' and the words were a
slow exclamation.
Delatoie rose as he spoke. lifted one of
the fragile glasses on the table and con-
temp.uously flung it from him. 1t lay
upon tie hearth, mass of opaline splin-
tiers.