The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1901-02-09
HIS DESPERATE CASE

Percival felt that the world was
come to an end for him and he was
trying to convince himself that he
didn't care continental if it was.
He sat in a chair that seemed incom-
patible with any sort of discomfort,
his pipe was between his teeth, and
be had been notified Of a raise in his
salary that very week; nevertheless
the chair could not hold him in its
padded embrace, and he got up and
paced about the room in the regula-
tion style of the Gagged panther; his
pipe had gone out long ago, and as for
salary, what to him was salary!
He felt in the breast pocket Of his
coat and drew out letter, or rather a
note, which he read with scowl cor
rugating his brow. Then, with a sue
cession of angry jerks, he tore it across
and across, and dropped the pieces,
fiuttering on the hearth. A moment
later he gathered the pieces in heap,
and, striking match, set fire to them.
As the flame gradually died out from
the rustling tinder thought seemed
to strike him, and he felt in his breast
pocket again. This time he took out
pocket book and extracted small
package, wrapped in tissue paper,
from special compartment; this also
he laid on the hearth, and, with the
same expression Of angry determine
tlon on his face, struck another
match and held it to the paper. 1t
did not burn as freely as the other for
minute, but suddenly it flared up SO
that he had to start back to avoid the
flame. The next instant there was
nothing on the hearth but ashes and a
particularly unpleasant smell perme-
ated the room.
Percival drew a deep breath and
remained staring moodily at the
blackened fragments on the hearth
for several minutes. Then, with what
seemed to be an effort, he rose and be-
gan to whistle. What did it matter.
after all9 What did anything mat
ter? No girl was worth moments
worry.
In accordance with this decision. he
sat down again and struck a third
match, with which he lighted his
pipe. He pulled away with preternat-
ural calm for little while, and then
took the evening paper from the table
and turned TO the theatrical adver-
tisements.
Il might as well enjoy myself he
SAID. That's probably what she's
doing. I'll simply devote the rest of
my existence to having good time.
If she ever hears OF me at all, it will
be as a light-hearted man about
town. Let's see, what is on. No, I'm
not going to afford her the satisfac-
tion Of seeing me droop into an early
grave. My harp doesn't hang on any
weeping willow tree. I'll tune her
up and pick out rag-time tunes"
The paper dropped to the floor, and
ne continued, with a melancholy eve
on the engraving of Napoleon at st.
Helena, which hung on the wall: "1'll
dissipate; that's what I'll do-fll the
cup that clears to-day Of past regrets
and future fears-whoop 'er up Eliza
Jane. | believe I'll drink bottle Of
peer before 60 to bed tonight, just
as a starter. They will go to her and
fell her what I'm doing, and then
maybe she will be sorry. / don't
know, though, why / should care
whether she is sorry or not / don't
suppose / really do. My mind is
naturally disturbed now, just as it
would be if | suddenly broke myself
of any other habit. In week shall
be wondering what / ever saw in her
and | shall be ahead SO much expert
ence. | suppose every man has to go
through it once, just as puppies get
the distemper, and | ought to be
thankful that ] found out in time
how callous and frivolous women can
be. I've he'd all | want Of them, that's
one thing sure"
He got up and walked about the
room, and then suddenly sat down
again with an impatient exclamation.
Il don't see why | can't simply dis
miss the matter from my mind and let
lt go at that, /" he said. q won't go
4 ont; that's one thing dead certain. It
would be confession Of weakness to
sssk distraqtion- ! wonder Il ehs
#.