The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-18
PART I.

who mad once eApccteu seih"ih hapie
things of him seemed quite TO have for
rotten that theme had ever been such q
vo,,no- man. lie went about London for
n eoupA- of days, calling here and there
M a bonise. only TO find former ac-
ouaiutances out OF town or living else
where, al I'd looking in at clubs where
hall porte IS did not recognize the names
he pronoua need.
Even ala S-oad, his habit had been ITO
avoid large cities; this vast Indifferent
London bee anne in those two days a
horror to has nerves. Against the de-
pressing bac kground of its crowde
loneliness unpleasant visions began to
define themsei YES. He,had in his pocket
a little account. book containing proofs
that il was very- nearly time for him to
be thinking of canning some money;
and It's columns-of delicately inscribed
figures. which at tive outset had barely
interested him, started up an evil trick
of coming into the foreground of his
thoughts and displaying themselves
there with some devilish effect of phos-
phor4;cence.
At luncheon time on the third day
it OWNED upon him Gaat the gloom OF
his mind had broken the heart OF his
appetite. He hooked at the bill of fare
banded him by the stranger who wore
the livery of the Applied Arts club, and
after a minutes labored scrutiny lifted
bis head and glanced about him. n
score of members at other tables were
eating--undoubtedly eating rs If they
enjoyed themselves. The spectacle sur
prised him because--he verified the i'm
preston by another look at the card
the viands set forth were nothing less
than abhorrent; their very names re-
yoIted his senses. He tried to think
of something not enumerated, some
favorite dish which might be prepared
TO his order; but all food revealed 1T
self to his interrogation as an offense.
A little shiver of vague alarm caused
him to push back his chair and half rise
to his feet.
II think" he began, intent upon
justifying himself TO the WAITER and
then stopped. a newcomer had moved
toward the table, with the light of rec
ognition on his face and the beginnings
of n gesture which might mean greet
ing. Passy intuitively completed his
rising, and turned the words on his lips
without a hitch to u new use.
"I think this is my old friend, Lau-
renee Mole," he said, with strenuous
Ccniality. They shook hands warmly.
and Passy, who hated having his hand
pqueezed, for the once rather liked
the effect Of powerful and energetic
gr-asp. Even as he twisted his cramped
fingers about to get the blood back
into them, he smiled gratefully into
Moles face. my dear fellow, can't
tell you" he started, and then let an
ether smile. still more beaming, finish
his sentence for him, rs the other obeyed
his mute invitation, and took the oppo-
site chair.
Really, it was amazing 10 think how
glad he was 10 see Mole. The recollec-
ton that they had never been more
than smol<ing-room acquaintances rose
in his mind; he even recalled that he
had rather Stunned Mole as a common
place and uninspired creature, in the
old days--but none the less he well
coined him now as brother. IL re-
quired an effort TO keep utter Stiffness
out of the grin with which he continued
70 regard Mole's broad shoulders, and
buoyant If unillumined countepancc.
1t came TO him that he had heard much
Of the money Mole got for his land
scapes. His solvency was notorious
among fellow-artists, along with his
supreme unwillingness to have il inn
posed upon. To look at him, he was
more the strong stockbroker than the
painter HIS liHesay yAiseAeeFfal eAuelle,
the fine, hard surface of his carefully
shaven cheek and chin, were badgesof
afphilistine prosperity. 1t was not to
be forgotten, too. that Mole never
talked shop: one might meet him for
years. and not gather that he knew
the difference between cadmium and
turpcntine. Indeed, his great point was
that he didn't talk at all. He listened
superbly. though. with an unapprooch-
able patience and show of interest; and
Passy felt suddenly that what he had
wanted most Of all was listener.
The tale spread for Molc's unflag-
ging ears was long and diffusc one.
lie ate as he listened, with a robust,
matter-of-course zest which greatly
strengthened lasSs Cohhuehcc.
brain SO no,risbed and buttressed with
extra helpings and duplicated portions
must Of necessity be serenely stead
fast and sensible; the ideal brain for
the adviser 10 an unemployed gentle
man with nerves. Passy scarcely noted
that he himself was now able 10 eat
as well. and to drink freely of the old
brown ale in cobwebbcd bottles which
Mole prescribed. lie set forth his case
with eagerness. enforcing its salient
points with n veincd and lexibly thin
forefinger on the cloth.
Summarized. Passy's was the nara
tive of large self-shtisfaction. insid.
iomsly undermined aud at last brought
down in ruins by the burrowing OF a
group OF ambitions at cross-purposes
with one another. There had been az