Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1901-04-05
CHAPTER XVI.


ed that was walking In a dream and
waking would find me grabbing at my
desk I'm New York. IL was SO unreal
for these days-mosaic romance in the
heart of prosaic fact. Was there ever
the like? II was real enough. however.
In the daytime. when the roar of Lon
don hammered at my tears, hut when
/ sat alone in my room II assumed the
hazy garments of dream. Sometimes
| caught myself listening for Ilillars.
n footstep In the corridor, and would
take my pipe from my mouth and wait
expectantly. But the door never open
ed. and the footsteps always passed on.
Often in my dreams l stood by the riv-
er again. There is sOlace in these deep.
wide streams. We come and go-our
hopes, our loves, our ambitions. Ma
ture alone remains. Should ever be-
hold Gretchen again? Perhaps. Yet
there was no thrill at the thought. Ii
ever | beheld her again, ii would be
when she was placed beyond the glance
of my eye, the touch of my hand. She
was mine-aye, as a dream might be:
something | possessed. but could not
hold. Heigho! The faces that peer at
us from the freight shadows. They
troop along in ghostly cavalcade, and
the winds that creep over the window
sill and under the door-who can say
that they are not the echoes Of voices
we once heard in the past?
/ was often on the verge of sending
In my resignation, but would remem-
Der in time that work meant bread and
butter-and forgetfulness. When l re-
turned to the office, few questions were
asked, though my assistant looked
many of them reproachfully. l told
him that Hillars had died abroad and
that he had been buried on the CONT
nent at his request, all of which was
true, but only half of it. did my best
to keep the duel secret, but it finally
came out 1t was the topic in the
clubs, for Hillars had been well known
in political and literary circles. But in
month or so the affair subsidized. The
world never stops very long. even
when it loses one of its best friends.
One late October morning | received
note which read;
John winthrop:
Dear Sir--I am in london for a few DAYS. home
ward bound from trip to Egypt, and we arr
cousins and orphans, too,' should like Tit
pleasure of making your acquaintance. Trusting
that shall find you at leisure, am, your humb
servant, PHILIP PEMBROKE.
"Ah," said l, that Louisianian cous
in of mine who may or may not live
the year out" recalling the old law
yers words. HE seems to hang OF
pretty well. hope he'll be interesting
Few rich men are. He Mites like
polite creditor. What did he old fel
tow say was the matter with him
remember" l threw the note asid,
and touched up some of my dispatches
Precisely at 10 o'clock the door open
ed, and man came in. He was fash
ionably dressed, mixture of Piccadil
~ and Broadway in taste. He wa
tall, slender, but well formed, and hi
blond mustache shone out distinct.
against a background of tanned skin
He had fine blue eyes.
"Have l the pleasure of speaking t,
John Winthrop Of New York;" he be
gan, taking off his hat.
/ rose. 81 am the man." He pre-
scented his card, and on it read, Phil
ip Pembroke"
Phillip Pembroke" exclaimed.
evidently you are surprisedW show
ing a set of strong white teeth.
"Tvuthfully am" l said, taking hi
hand. "You see," added apologetical
ly, your family lawyer-that is-h
gave me the-er-impression that 20
were a sickly fellow-one foot in til
grave or something like. l was not es
pecting man Of your build"
The smile broadened into dee
laugh, and merry one, thought Ell
viously. 1t was SO long since l ha
laughed.
"That was hobby of the old fe
low" he replied. when l was DO.
l had palpitation of the heart. II
never got rid of the idea that l migf
warning me about violent exercises
the good old SOUL Peace to his ashes
"He is dead"
"Yes. When l took to travelling, b
all but had nervous prostration. SUI
pose he told you about that will
made in your favor. 1t was done
please him. STILL" he added soberl,
lit stands. l travel deal, and no on
knows what may happen. And so 70
are the John Winthrop my dad treate
so stability? Oh, don't protest; he di
l should have hunted you up long ae
and given you solid bank accoun
only l knew that the son of my aul
must necessarily be gentleman an
therefore would not look favorably III
on such proceeding"
THANK YOU" said l. The fello
pleased me.
And then | did not know but VIII;
you cared nothing for money"
True. journalist doesn't cal
anything about money. The life is tt
easy and pleasant, and most of IL
things he needs are thrown in, as the
say"
This bit of sarcasm did not pass. NJ
cousin laughed again that merry laus
of his.
81 think we shall become gre
friends" he said. Il like frankness. "
my remark in it's literal sense WI
the antithesis of frankness."
"Ah, you said too much not to
frank. Frankness is one of the re
sons why do not get on well with Il
women. can't lie in the right plac
and when | do it is generally ten tim
worse than the plain truth"
"YOu're man of the world I 500