The true northerner., 1901-01-25

to light a cigar with $1,000 check
The office boy, who came I'm then,
was salvation. The managing editor
wanted TO see me. | sprang up with
alacrity. Anything but the sight OF
that figure l and the three demon eyes
of that $1,000 check!
winthrop" said the managing ed
| itor TO me as l entered his office,
you've got TO 60 TO London. Hillars
has gone UNDER
mot deadr' ] cried.
"No, not He has had to give up
work temporarily on account of drink.
If IL was any other man, I'd throw him
over I'm short order. But l feel sorry
for Hillars. and am going to give him
another chance. / want you to go over
and take care of him if possible. The
London work is not new TO you. You
can handle that and Hillars too. If
you can keep him in check
shuddered. The word "check" jar
red on my nerves.
whats the matterT asked the edi-
tor.
"A temporary chill" said. $50 on"
him in check for n month or so, he'll
be able TO get on his feet again. And
it will be like II vacation to you. If
anything happens to Hillars, you will
be expected TO remain permanently
abroad. Hillars suggested you In his
letter. Will you be ready TO go next
Monday?"
Tomorrow, if you like" answered
readily enough.
was much pleased with the turn of
events. If could get away from New
York, / might forget Phyllis-no, not
forget her; l loved her too well ever TO
forget her, but the prolonged absence
would cure me of my malady.
Before going TO bed that night l lit
n cigar, but not with the check. On
sober second thought / calculated that
the sum would pay up all my debts
and leave me a comfortable margin. A
man can well pocket his pride when
he pockets a thousand dollars with It,
And why not? | was about to start
life anew and might as we'll begin on
philosophical basis. Who knew but
my uncle had foreseen the result Of
his bequest; my rage, my pride, and
finally lighting a cigar with his checkf
1t really might make his spirit writhe
to better effect if | became benefited.
Sober second thought is more or less
a profitable investment.
On the morrow everything was ar
ranged for my departure. / was to
leau.s Saturday morning.
1t was a beautiful day, crisp and
clear, with a bare ground which rang
TO the heel. In the afternoon | wan
dered over to the park and sat down on
bench and watched the skaters as
they glided to and fro. | caught my
self wishing that | was a boy again,
with an hours romp on the sheeny
crust in view. Gradually the mantle
of peace fell upon me, and there was
sense Of rest. | was going to forgive
the world the wrong II had done me.
Perhaps il would feel ashamed of it
self and reward me for my patience.
SO Hillars was going to pieces" 1t is
strange how we men love another who
has shared and spent with us our late
patrimonies. Hillars and | had been
friends since our youth, and we had
lived together till a few years back.
Then he went to Washington. from
there TO Paris, thence TO London. He
was a better newspaper man than |.
liked to dream too well, while he was
always for little action. Liquor was
getting the best of him. ] wondered
WHY 1t might be woman. There Is
always one around somewhere when
q mans breath smells of whisky. A
good deal of this woman's temperance
business Is caused by remorse. | was
drawing aimless pictures in the frozen
gravel when | became aware that two
skaters had stopped in front of me.
glanced up and saw Phyllis and Ethel,
their eyes like stars and their cheeks
like roses.
81 was wondering If it were you,"
said Ethel. phyllis, where rs my cava-
ler?"
81 believe he has forsaken u.s." said
the voice of the woman / loved.
"Will you not accept part of the
benchT' asked, moving along.
The girls dropped easily beside me.
| was just MiSulnS was a Doy
again and was in for a game of hook
ey," said l. IL am going to London on
Saturday. eur foreign correspondent
has had to give up work on account Of
Ill health"
"You haven't Phyllis stopped sud-
denly.
! "Oh, nor said intuitively. 'T am
growing rusty, and they think I need a
vacation" l was glad Ethel was there,
with her voluble chatter.
"Oh, a foreign correspondent" she
cried.
"Yes."
"You will have glorious time. Papa
will probably return to b. when the
next administration comes In. You
know papa was there 20 years ago. l
suppose you will be hobnobbing with
dukes and princes"
"It cannot be avoided" I said grave
ly. 81 do not expect to remain long In
London. When my work Is done, per-
haps / shall travel and complete my