The Jersey City news., 1903-01-23

lContlnned.l


and leave me comfortable margin. A
man can well pocket his pride when
he pockets q thousand dollars with it.
And whysnot? ! was about to start
life anew and might as well begin on
philosophical basis. Who knew but
my uncle had foreseen the result of
his bequest; my rage, my pride, and
finally lighting cigar with his check?
1t really might make his spirit writhe
to better effect If l became benefited.
Sober second thought is more or less
q profitable investment.
On the morrow everything was ar
ranged for my departure. was to
leave Saturday morning.
1t was beautiful day, crisp and
clear, with bare ground which rang
to the heel. In the afternoon l 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 l 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 a
sense Of rest. l was going to forgive
the world the wrong it had done me.
Perhaps it 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 few years back.
Then he went to Washington, from
there to Paris, thence to London. He
was better newspaper man than I.
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
a mans breath smells of whisky. A
good deal of this woman's temperance
business is caused by renorse. I was
drawing aimless pictures in the frozen
gravel when l 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.
II was wondering If 1t were you,"
said Ethel. Phyllis, where is my cava-
lier?''
Il believe he has forsaken u.s." said
the voice Of the woman loved.
"Will you not accept part of the
bench?' asked, moving along.
The girls dropped easily beside me.
II was just wishing was a boy
again and was in for game of hook
ey," said I. II anfgoing to London on
Saturday. Our foreign correspondent
has had to give up work on account Of
ill health"
"Youlhaven't'- Phyllis stopped sud-
denly.
'.Oh. nor said l intuitively. 81 am
growing rusty, and they think I need a
vacation" / was glad Ethel was there,
with her voluble chatter.
''Oh, foreign correspondents 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. 1
suppose you will be hobnobbing with
dukes and princes"
1T cannot be avoided" said grave
ly. 81 do not expect to remain long in
London. When my work is done, per-
haps l shall travel and complete my
foreign polish
ooh, yesr' said Phyllis. 81 forgot to
tell you, Ethel, that a fortune has been
left to Jack, and he need not work but
for the love of it,
! laughed, but they thought it self
conscious laugh. Somehow / was not
equal to the task of cnlightening them.
1T is jolly to be rich" said Ethel,
clicking her skates together. "It's
bother at times, however, to. know
what to do with the money. l buy so
many things do not need just be-
cause feel compelled to spend my al
lowance."
1T nustlbe very inconvenient." l oB-
served
And now that you are a man Of
leisure said Phyllis, "you will write
that book you Lave always been telling
me aboutY'
DO you wish ity, asked.
II do. What have always found
lacking in you is application You
start out to accomplish something, you
find an obstacle in your path, and you
do not surmount it. You do not perse-
we're"
My pulse beat quickly. Was there a
double meaning to what she said? /
could not tell, for her eyes remained
averted
| sighed. ct would be nice to be-
come successful author, but when
man is as rich as am. fame tar
nishes." | took out an envelope from
my pocket.
What is that?" asked Phyllis.
l turned over the back and showed it
to her.
"Figuresr' she laughed. what do
they mean?'
1T is what am going to do with
my fortune" said l. was holding out
my vanity at arms length and laugh
ing at it silently
rYour air castles will be realized
now said Phyllis.
I shall build no more, " said /. ssThe
last one gave me a very bad fall
PhYllis looked aMay again. A yaaa,e