The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-10

look out across the little COURTYARD ai
an uninteresting row of yellow Gimme,
pots rising against "a dim, yellow even
ing sky. and below three rows of lighted
windows, and still below an iridescen
glare from the glass kiosk that extended
from the cafe.
1t was very STILL but now and then /;
laugh or a few words blew in at the
window. | had just finished dressing
and before | left the room | stepped
across and stood there for a minute
gazing down at the courtyard. A figure
sitting at a little metal table in the cor
ner caught my, eye-a young man with
Il silk hat pushed back from his head
his legs were crossed, and he was NOV
ing his foot nervously back and fourth
A cigarette was in his fingers.
There was something so familiar III
the pose that / looked closer. and as
watched him, without apparent effort
the cigarette left his hand and described
u fiery arch across the courtyard.
There was only one man that ! knew
who could catapult IA cigarette or q
cigar in that remarkable fash;on-my
old chuln Charlie Cummings. / leaned
over sill and making a trumpet of my
hands. called, as / had often called UP
nit his windows in the old college days:
.Hal-l-l-fo-o, Charlie Cummings, in
a distinct whisper. Mind you, it was 10
years since / had done this, and surely
seven since / had last seen him.
The effect was electrical. The nervous
motion of the foot stopped. He extend
ed his hand before him-.the muscles
rigid with a gesture of silence and at
tertion.
Halo. THERE he answered, without
lifting his head and without any sur
prise being manifested in his voice.
1t was very amusing and l went on
trumpeting a whisper down to him:
i've come to see you. Don't you re-
member me. you villain.'
Now it was my turn TO be astonished.
| saw Charles hand reach for the tall
glass on the table. He paused with it
at his lips and then drained 1T to the
bottom. The light in the courtyard
was just sufficient for me to catch a
CLEAN of the color Again he spoke:
Leave me alone" he said, distinctly
'.Absinthe,' thought / to myself
That's what's the matter with Charles
sense of humor''
Hurrying down the stairs | stepped
out on the marble tagging. There he
sat with his back toward me in the
same attitude. / would have known
him in a minute. AS / approached he
hurriedly struck a match ON the bot
tom of the table and lit the fresh cigar
cite between his lips
''Halloa, old boy | said. Well met,
by Jover
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! | say, did you call me
by name?"
He caught me by the coat and | no
ticed that his hand was trembling ex-
citedly.
Yes said /. Il called to you from
the window You still have your old
tricks with you, Charlie
He laughed.
Il have learned several new ones, too.
he said. Beautiful tricks. o. I'm great
success. Eth, won't you sit down.
I beckoned to waiter and he brought
me one of the spider-legged iron chairs.
What have you been doing with
yourself, Charlie. since / saw you last?"
] asked cheeTfully.
1t was a stereotyped phrase and his
reply was non-c0mmittal.
Nothing" he said tersely.
Years ago he and | had been as thick
as thieves, but now somehow there
was a strained feeling; and his nervous
ness was pitiful. He had been one of
the most enthusiastic of men, especially
in his greetings. But the manner in
which he had received me made it all
most awkward.
Where have you been, old chap!'
inquired, trying TO make things easier.
sKnocking about" / haven't been to
America for four years, you know" he
muttered.
But that doesn't answer my question.
What have you been do:ng?"
Charlie turned and looked at me with
out replying. and then ! perceived how
great had been the change that had
come over him. He had been well knit
and straight when at college, with q
wiry strength and a determination in his
movements that had won for him a POI
sition in athletic circles fhe was the
fiercest rackler | ever saw. Now his
hand had the transparency of an old
AUUdn =. Ills WTlSL WIS dlNtHudltu anu
beneath the flesh of his face the bones
showed plainly. The pointed Partisan
beard could not cover the hollows in his
cheeks. But his eyes We're bright in
way that was almost frightening.
have seen such brightness III the eyes Of
fever patients in the hospitals. ! am a
pbysicianr-in fact it had been my pnr-
pose in making this "trip to Europe to
attend the lectures of the great Prof.
Charcot. (Alas, / had but been IN time
To walk in his fmeralD
Insensibly / began to diagnose the
case across the table. and in making
such diagnosis physician is apt to for
get everything in the abstract interest
of determining disease.
when are You coming back| /
asked. more to listen to the tones Of his
voice than for the sake Of securing in
formation.
Never" said Charlie, laconically,
never Then he looked across his
shoulder at me again, and for an instant
only his glance met mine.-'If | can help
at" he added.
Pardon me-" he said suddenly, arous-
ing himself a longer residence here
should antifle na. IN tha naSiti0n of host