The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-12-10
I "IMM0RTAL."
nv JAMES BARNES.

.r.inst a dim, low evening sky, and
~, three rows of lighted windows, and
.t- b-Iow an iridescent glare from the
49,. l-fosk that extended from the cafe.
vas very still, but now and then
,.,s5 or a few words blew in at the win
-. had lust finished dressing, and be-
.,.. left The room l stepped across and
I'D here Tor a minute gazing down at
,se outward. A figure sitting at little
,.s,aI able in the corner caught my eye
,o.tng man with a silk hat pushed back
s.,,, his head his legs were crossed, and
-. mas moving his foot nervously back
and f5rth. A cigarette was in his fingers
rr.rs was something so familiar in the
,osa tsat I looked closer, and as watch
him without apparent effort, the c gar
etie tef, his hand and described a fiery
srob ACROSS the courtyard.
There was only one man that l knew
.to could catapult a cigarette or a cigar
y, hat remarkable fashion-my old chum,
charlie Cummings. / leaned over sill
and making a trumpet of my hands, caIl-
~ as I had often called up at his Win
5ovs in the old college days.
.rl.l-l-l-oo. Charlie Cummings" in a
5isinct whisper. Mind you, II was 10 years
since | had done this, and surely seven
Since had last seen him.
,rba effect was electrical. The nervous
rrot',n of the foot stopped He extended
bic hand before him-the muscles rigid
yi,b a GESTURE of silence and attention.
"Hauo therer' he answered without
utne his head and without any surprise
heinz manifested in his voice.
II was very amusing, and / went on
trlmpeting a whisper down to him:
1--WE come to see you. Dent you re-
member me, you villain%'
Now il was my turn to be astonished.
saw Charles hand reach for the tail glass
an he table. He paused with it at his ps
and then drained it to the bottom. The
isbt in the courtyard was just sufficient
for me TO catch a CLEAN of the color.Again
Leave me alone,'' he said, distinctly:
"Absinther thought l to myself. That's
what's the matter with Charles sense of
humor.
Hurrving down the stairs 1 stepped out
on the marble tagging. There he sat with
his hack toward me in the same attitude.
7 would have known him in a minute. AS
| approached he hurriedly struck match
on he bottom of the table and lit the
fresh cigarette between his lips.
"Halloa, old boys" l said. Well met, by
jovew
He Started quickly; the lighted match
fell blazing on the table and he whirled
in his seat without rising.
Good God" he said, hoarsely Where
did YOU come from? Did you speak to
me just now? 1 say, did you call me by
Nance
He caught me by the coat. and I no
liced that his hand was trembling ex-
ctedly.
Yes" said I, 81 called to you from
the window. You still have your old
tricks with you, Charlie"
He laughed
~ have learned several new ones, too"
he said. Beautiful tricks! o, I'm a great
success. Eth, won't you sit DOWN.
! beckoned to a waiter and he brought
me one of the spider-legged iron chairs.
What have you been doing with your
self, Charlie, since 1 saw you last?" 1
asked, cheerfully
1t was a stereotyped phrase and his re-
ply was non-committal.
Nothing" he said tersely.
Years ago he and 1 had been as thick
as thieves, but now somehow there was
strained feeling; and his nervousness
was pitful He had been one of the most
enthusiastic of men, especially in mis- greet
ings. But the manner in which he had
received me made it almost awkward.
Where have you been, old chap?' l in
qured, trying to make things easier.
Knocking about" ] haven't been to
America for four years, you know" he
nuNeTed.
But that doesn't answer my question.
What have you been doing?"
Charlie turned and looked at me with
OFT replying, and then l perceived how
great had been the change that had come
over him. He had been well knit and
straight when at college, with a wiry
strength and determination in his move
f6srf 4 II.
athletic circles (he was the fercest tack
lei l ever SAW. Now his hand had the
transparency of an old womans, his wrist
was attenuated and beneath the flesh Of
MS face The bones showed plainly. The
pointed Partisan beard could not cover the
nohoWs in his cheeks. But his eyes were
n1snt in way that was almost frighten-
Ins' nave seen such brightness in the
eyes Of fever patients in the hospitals.
am a physician-in fact, it had been my
purpose in making this trip to Europe to
attend the lectures of the great Prof.
ouareot. (Alas I had but been in time to
walk in his funeralD
lhsenslbly l began to diagnose the case
across the table. and in making such dl-
9suosis physician is apt to forget every
ulhg m the abstract interest of determin-
ing disease.
hen are you coming back?" 1 asked.
more 70 listen to the tones of his voice
uah for the sake of securing Informal
Never" said Charlie laconically, nov
eI' Then he looked across his shoulder
AT me egain, and for an instant only his
sauce met miEe-'If 1 can help it, lie
H., Far ION me" he saio suddenly, arousing
muse "A longer residence here should
MUG me TO the position of host. What
wiz YOU have?"
-(o' once had he addressed me by name.
uia Eoticed this but now had ceased
" wonder at it. AS the waiter shuffled
rp 'Nhy is it that when a Partisan waiter
t3Sses % years of age he shuffles?) 1 ask
, ~ ,og glass of light wine, and, as / ex-
IT, Charlie renewed his order for the
"Sdicus green liquid.
Tor Gnariie' l said, as he dripped the wa
,tirn unsteady into the glass, that's some
'Its YOU had better stop, old man"
n.rr makes one forget things" he re-
To mas just it," said I. 1T has made
II. get my name for instance"
NY 'ooked at me with something ap-
preaching amusement.
gor LOU re right, old chap. / couldn't tell
'ouI name from Adam"