The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-05-14

fear or horror flown to my companions
face, l shudder TO think l might have
died diabolically happy with that look
for my last impious consolation. 1t
was the look that came instead which
held my hand. Neither fear nor horror
We're in it., only wonder admiration,
and such measure Of pleased expect
ancy as caused me after all to pocket
my revolver with an oath.
You deviltt l said. Il believe you
wanted me to do it,
Not quite, was the reply, made
with a little start, and change OF
color that came too late. ITO tell the
truth, though. l half thought YOU
meant it, and I was never more fas-
cinated in my life never dreamt you
had such stun in you, Bunny No,
I'm hanged If l let you go now. And
you'd better not try that game again,
for you won't watch me stand and
look on a second time. We must think
of some way out of the mess. [ had
no idea you were a chap of that sort!
There, let me have the gun.
One of his hands fell kindly on my
shoulder, while the other slipped into
my overcoat pocket, and | suffered
him to deprive me of my weapon with
out a murmur. Nor was this simply
because Raffles had the subtle power
of making himself irresistible at VIII.
He was beyond comparison the most
masterful man whom I have ever
known; yet my acquiescence was due
to more than the mere subsection of
the weaker nature to the stronger. The
forlorn hope which had brought me to
Albany was turned as by magic into
an almost staggering sense of safety.
Raffles would help me after ALL A. j.
Raffles would be my friendi 1t was
as though all the world had come
round suddenly to my side; so far,
therefore, from resisting his action
caught and clasped his hand with a
fervor as uncomfortable as the frenzy
which had preceded 1t.
"God bless you'' 1 cried. Forgive
me for everything. 1 will tell you the
truth. did think you might help me
In my extremity, though l well knew
that I had no claim upon you. Still
for the old schools sake-the sake of
old times-I thought you might give
me another chance If you wouldn't
I meant to blow out my brains-and
will still If you change your mindP'
In truth l feared that 1t was chang
ing. with his expression. even as I
spoke. and in spite of his kindly tone
and kindlier use of my old school nick
name. His next words showed me my
mistake.
What a boy 1t is for jumping to
conclusionsl I have my vices. Bunny.
but backing and filling is not one of
them. Sit down, my good fellow, and
have cigarette to soothe your nerves.
I insist. Whiskey? The worst thing
for you; here's some coffee that 1 was
brewing when you came In. Now listen
to me. You speak of another chance
What do You mean? Another chance
a haararato kpn
think the luck must turn; suppose
1t didn't? We should only have made
bad worse. No. my dear chap, you've
plunged enough. Do you put yourself
in my hands or do you not? Very
well, then you plunge no more and
I undertake not to present my check
Unfortunately, there are the other
men; and still more unfortunately
Bunny, I'm as hard up at this mo-
ment as YOU are yoursef!"
1t was my turn to stare at Raffles.
''You?" I Moderated "You hard up?
How am 1 to sit here and believe
that?"
did I refuse to believe it of your
he returned, smilingly And, with
your own experience, do you think
that because a fellow has rooms in
this place, and belongs to a club or
two, and plays a little cricket he must
necessarily have "A balance at the
bank? ! tell you, my dear man. that
at this moment ] am as hard up a
you ever were. / have nothing but
my wits to live on-absolutely nothing
else. 1t was as necessary for me to
win some money. this evening as 1t
was for you. We're in the same boat,
Bunny; we'd better pull together"
"Together!' I jumped at it. I'm do
anything in this world for you, Raft
fles," / said, If you really mecn that
you won't give me away. Think Of
anything you like, and I'll do it! [
was a desperate man when | came
here, and I'm just as desperate now.
l don't mind what l do If only can
get out of this without a scandal"
Again | see him, leaning back in
one of the luxurious chairs with which
his room was furnished. l see his indo-
lent. athletic figure, his pale, sharp,
clean-shayen features, his curly black
hair, his strong, INSCRIPTIONS mouth.
And again l feel the clear beam of
his wonderful eye. cold and luminous
as a star, shining into my brain-sift-
ing the very secrets of my heart.
II wonder If you mean all that" he
said at length. You do in your pres
ent mood; but who can back this
mood to the last? Still there's hope
when a chap takes that tone. Now 1
tnlnk OF H. TOO. you were plucky
little devil at school; you once did me
rather a good turn, | recollect. Re-
member 1t, Bunny? Well. wait a bit,
and perhaps I'll be able to do you a
better one. Give me time to think. F"
He got up. lit fresh cigarette. and
fell to pacing the room once more,
but with slower and more thought
full step, and for much longer period
than before. Twice he stopped at my
chair as though on the point of speak
ing, but each time he checked HIM
self and resumed his stride in silence.
Once he threw up the window, which
he had shut some time. and stood for
some moments leaning out into the
fog which filled the Albany courtyard.
Meanwhile a clock on the chimney
piece struck one, and one again for
the half hour, without a word be-
tween US.
Yet l not only kept my chair with
patience, but | acquired an incongru-
Gus equanimity in that half hour. In
sensibly l had shifted my burden to
the broad shoulders of this splendid
friend, and my thoughts wandered
with my eyes as the minutes passed.
The room was the good-sized square
one, with the folding doors, the mar
BILE mantelpiece, and the gloomy. old
fashioned distinction peculiar to AL
bany 1t was charmingly furnished
and arranged with the right amount
of negligence and the right amount of
taste What struck me most. how
ever was the absence of the usual in
sigma of a criexeter's den. Instead of
the conventional rack of war-worn
bats a carved oak bookcase with