The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-02
CHAPTER II-Continued.

Iloomy recesses in search of provisions
would have given an edge to any mans
appetite. We had forgotten in five min
utes all about Frank Bowser and the
sound of gold. The fire was burning
brightly, aud the reading lamp, which
usually cast its light on my lawbooks
about this hour, was throwing glow
upon our festive board. Scroggies ac-
tigity was bewildering. No sooner had
he uncorked a bottle of beer than off he
went 60 refill the kettle so that we
might be prepared TO mix hot whisky
by and by. At last we settled down at
the table, and Scroggie began to roll
Cigarette as though the idea OF eating
anything had never entered his head.
The temptation, however. which the pie
held out was too great to be resisted.
II can't help thinking, Field" said
ee when be had partially appeased a
very keen appetite-"I can't help think
Ing that You're an uncommonly lucky
Possibly" said ], ''but few. men,
you know, consider themselves lucky"
Scroggie glanced round the room, and
could see by the nervous manner in
which he was rolling a fresh cigarette
that he had something ON his mind
which he wished TO communicate. I'm
commonly lucky" he went on thought
fully-''a coy set of chambers, a warm
fre, an easy chair, a reference library,
III complete. Not much inducement,
under the circumstances, TO leave Eng
land, now, have your"
l had returned to my armchair and
had lit my pipe l answered, with my
eyes on the fire, where pictures rose up
among the red and rugged Goals:
"A tour through France, Switzerland
and Italy is pleasure which I'm look
ing forward TO. At present can't af-
ford IL. "
Nor" said Scroggie quickly and in
tone of concern, though whether for
me or for himself / could not decide.
His voice and his manner puzzled me. L
fancied at first that he contemplated
borrowing money, but L quickly dis
missed the thought. for he had never
limited to me that he was needy, and al
though he had no scruples about sharing
mysupper or passing night upon my
sofa / believed that he would have
starved rather than borrow sou. We
never spoke 10 each other of our private
affairs, but since Scroggie had referred
20 my cozy chambers was constrained
10 say something by way Of apology for
being in possession of such luxury.
AS you know--as you know, I'm
only briefiess barrister / inherited
g..
grandfather. He lived in these rooms,
and came into possession when he
died My literary work pays for bread
and cheese. When foreign correspond
ent' is wanted, away shall go, with a
light valise on my shoulder and a walk
ing stick in my hand.
Scroggie looked still more thought
full. Presently he said, And when you
arrive, after a long days journey, at
your hotel you will sleep soundly, with
no troubles in the past. 1"
mot many. +"
"With no anxieties about the future,
except such as give zest to life and
awaken ambition"
l laughed and said that liked the
picture.
"And when" continued Scroggie--
land when you have grown tired of
travelling, and you turn your face to-
ward home, how pleasant to know that
a snug set of chambers s.
And that laundress of mine will be
waiting to receive me, said, with
smile, but, added, talking of Mrs.
Billings, l now propose that we mix
the whisky"
Scroggie was, feared, becoming SEN
timental, SO / made this suggestion n
order to revive his spirits.
But the whisky did not altogether
have the desired effect He sat silent for
some time, looking sternly at the fire,
and the same worn expression came over
his face which / observed when Frank
Bowser was recounting the murder of
Mr.. Darrell
Field" said he as last without
changing his attitude-"Field, old fell
low, for more than two years have
been living in London, and almost on
my arrival / began to receive hospitality
from you. You gave me hearty wei
come when we met, and ever since /
have been dropping In here, and, am
afraid, wasting valuable time"
/ assured him-how could do other
wise?-that no had never wasted an
hour.
"Well," said he doubtfully, 81 hope
not. However, it will end tonight
I'm going 20 travel. I"
i expressed astonishment, though
nothing could have surprised me less.
eyes, i am going to travel, he re-
peated, land although it was MY inten-
tion TO have started without mention
ing the matter even TO you, somehow,
after all your kindness, / thought per-
haps if / did it might have created
wrong impression. / wished 10 thank
j wished Toto Yes, I'm going To
travel"
American | suggested.
That depends, " he replied quickly
THAT depends on circumstances. I'm