The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1902-01-31
ADVENTURES
n 10 OF CUPE
The Story OF n Poor Young Mans
Visit to the Country Seat
OF n Rich F4iend.
BY r. w. ARNOLD, Jr.

the windows of the house opposite re-
fected the clouds, and Little Cupe's
own window sill was blistered with lit
tie backs of rain on which fioated to-
bacco atoms. Little Cupe felt much as
the day looked. GO anyway" en-
couraged the medical students.
The day before Little Cupe had seen
Eb (all the medical students knew Eb,
for he had been one of the more dis
tinguished men in college), and Cupe
had told his medical mates that Eb
had invited him to spend Sunday mt
his home in the country. The medical
student knew that Eb had colored car
riages and when at college had dined
with the most exclusive families.
man" and always talked earnestly and
bravely when they met him.
Eb was now a lawyer in his first
years practice "and doing darned
WELL" they had wisely agreed.
Little Cupe had begun the recital Of
his invitation as If 'it was nothin',"
but had grinned with delight before he
hou VhbCu II, anu tudL u
lot Of girls from the neighboring
houses would be there with q young
chaperon.
The fact that Eb had once given a
theater party was the basis Of Cupe's
belief that he always entertained.
But now Little Cupe wasn't sure If
he had been invited. Possibly Eb had
enid UT)rnr In nj
out for Sunday" or, LET me know
how you're doing. Drop in some Sat
urday, and We'll go out Sunday"
"Go on, Cupew the medical students
yelled again. They were doubtless sin
cere.
Suddenly puff of determination car
ried him to the closet. He had decided
nothing consciously. From its drawers
he pulled two white shirts, seven single
cuffs, six collars and two changes Of
other clothes (only per cent, diluted,
Of these things bore Little Cupe's own
red stamped mark and was shaking
the creases out of dress suit
Drop IT." yelled one medical STU
dent. 1--WE got to wear it this even
ing" All the rest had to wear theirs
too. Lord, we're sorry" Cupe's own
was torn and hadn't been mended 81
can't CO." said he, depressed and look
ing frightened.
Sure you can. Eb and the girls will
understand
Eb sat in his own "box," his desk
topped by two rows of fresh leather
books and black tin box, "Re Moul-
ton" The senior offices opened through
the sunny doorways back Of him. With
business precision he was deciding that
he would not stay in town that night,
but would go to his home for a nine
hours sleep and in the morning drive
to friends for the day With busi-
ness chirography that had made Little
Cupe when he had seen it predict for
him trust presidency he started to
write to his friend to said effect (see
above. But he noticed the door.
Come in," said Eb.
For thirty seconds q shadow had
been lowering over its gray glass. Lit.
tie Cupe was outside trying to muster
courage to knock. At Ebs voice he
couldn't go down the elevator, so he
pretended he had not heard him and
made the glass shiver.
"Come I'M! again called Eb.
With frightened little grin Cupe en-
tered. His hands felt cold He shut the
door so that 1t would not disturb any
body. He held behind him his birthday
dress suit case.
"How are you, Cupe" Eb was al
ways glad to see his friends. "Sit
down. I'll be with you in minute"
And he handed him fragrant box Of
cigars. Have one"
Cupe took one and held his dress suit
case in his lap, but he didn't smoke, for
he had no matches. Those cigars had
always impressed him, and he had
often told his medical students that
he occasionally dropped into Eds Of
fee and smoked his cigars.
Eb continued writing to his friend
that he would be there tomorrow and,
handing the note to a messenger who
came from the main office-Cupe was
greatly impressed-said, Special de-
livery" and then, leaning back, added:
"Well, Cupe, what can do for your"
as If surveying a client.
The stone faces through the window
grinned fiendishly.
"Nothin," answered Cupe. "I was
bringin' this empty dress suit case
from a store"-he pointed indefinitely
out toward the street-"and Just stop
ped in. I'm goin' right along; got to
go now" He arose meekly and held
out his hand, which felt as If its veins
pulsed with mist. When he said "emp-
ty" dress suit case, the two white
shirts seven separate cuffs, six col
lars and two changes of other clothes
weighed heavy with guilt.
Cant you come out to dinnerW Eb
thought Cupe would enjoy that more
than his boarding house.
Haven't any dress suit" Eb assur-
ed him 1t made no difference, not the
least. He believed all Little Cupe had
said, Cupe, after celebrating a prop
er while whether he could get away,
said he guessed he could go; he'd be
Glad 10