The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-02-26

Professor Dillon, a Trinity College man
who had served under Blake at Paris and
had tried his patience in the Papal Guard.
was one of the star boarders at Blake s
and he took an instant fancy to young
Theriot. Dillon, in his quiet, convincing
way, had led US all 20 believe that he
was an expert swordsman, and it was
quite natural. when Gaston's baggage ar
rived, that fencing bout should be ar
ranged. This little Frenchman was quite
willing, glad 10 give the Irishman n choice
of weapons-foil, napier or broadsword.
They gave US fine display in the library,
and we al sat about smoking and drink
ing till near morning. The Irishman as
tonished us all with his sword play but
the little Frenchman proved to be wiz
zard with the lighter weapons. and
Frenchlike, able to carry on a running
FIRE of quaint jssts, bonmots and recita-
tive even while busiest with his weapons.
He made a great hit" with all OF Us that
night, but We could see that something Of
the soldier spirit. something of the wider
citizenship Of Captain Dillon was making
for a close friendship with the new man
from Rheims.
And so it proved Roderick and the rest
Ct as, wantons that We were, became in
terested In fencing, in French literature,
in gossip of the new Bohemia OF Paris.
Ne took some lessons OF Theriot, began
to read Telemachus and the rudimeEtary
literature of France. but 1t was Dillon
Che was 20 years old at least), who be-
canes the Fides Achates. the near
friend" OF CASTOR Theriot. He was a
charming little fellow who scattered his
money ike prince and drank wine like
q thirsty cuirassier. He never got used
10 our whisky and pipes, preferTing cigar
cites and frothy drinks, but we liked him
just the same and boosted him about town
SO that in six months he had a big class
of fencing students and a list of French
pupils that assured his prosperity.
Nobody ever knew just how that cold
ness sprang UP between Dillon and the
little Freedman, but we all noticed H.
The Irishman quit mott ring Theriot, and
the spruce little fencer-always the soul
Of ourtesy-begsn to betrsy signs OF the
ENHANCEMENT which was apparent 10 US
all. Then one night-it was near New
Year's-Dillon suddenly announced at the
supper table that he was going 20 leave
I'm going TO try Oklahoma he said
hddling with his fork; I'm an adventurer.
you know. and I am tired Of Kansas
City"
We we're all heartily sorry and showed
it-au but CASTOR. He only bit his Iip and
stared into his coffee Dillon LETT the
next day. and somehow after that Theriot
didn't seem TO 1T in the circle. We sus-
pected that he hadn't treated Dillon just
right. and he seemed conscious Of his
lapse from grace. ANYHOW. along about
Valentines day. the bright little French
man. without ! word TO anybody sud-
denly disappeared. He paid his bin all
right. but he didn't tell even Mrs Blake
where he was going.
I think II was In the sumner OF 1ss2 that
I went down 10 Guthrie, Oklahoma. 70
write about the new empire" I met Dill
Ion on the street. lie seemed glad 20 see
me. showed me his store 0t was the best
business house in the town. and then
after inviting ne 70 his house for dinner.
with q queer lock IN his eye said
II want you 10 see my wife and baby.
but
He chewed nervously at his cigar. and
smiling vaguely. added.
IL ycu re going back TO the Nsis0n de
Vile dont say anything about me-that
is. about us
he took me out 10 IS pretty Gotta &c.
and drst showed me his baby. p black
eyed. pretty boy about six months old
When Mrs Dillon came Ia I dropped nv
lat and stared She was besutiful.
hlushiug woman. Win short. black ciirls
and when sile gave me her lttle. nervous
hard she looked into ~ eyes and SAID.
You know me- Yes. 7 an Theriot hut
rot CASTOR. < am FIGle F1fue Dlnon
now Iou haf seen osr preety boy
And then I knew Why they hsd heeu
friends at the Aials1n De VIE
John Il. RAFTERT.