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

the empty glasses anu thS
loaded ash-trays. A window
had been opened to let the
smol.a ont and was letting in the fog
instead Raffles himself had merely
discarded his dining jacket Tor one OF
his innumerable blazers. Yet he archeo
his eyebrows as though had dragged
him from his bed.
Forgotten something? SAID me-
when he saw me on his mat.
Mo- said l, pushing past him With
ont ceremony. And I led the way into
his room with an impudence amazing
to myself
Not come back for your revenge,
YOU? Because I'm afraid L can't give II
you single-handed. l was sorry ihsseii
that the others"
We were face to face by his nresloe'
and l cut him short.
'Raffles," said |, you may we'll be
surprised at my coming back in TINS
way and at this hour. l hardly Know
you. I was never in your rooms oelore
tonight. But l tagged for you at
school, and you said you remembered
me. OF course, that's no excuse; put
will you listen to me-for two min
utes?''
In my emotion l had at first to
struggle for every word, but his lace
treasured me as l went on, and l was
not mistaken in its expression.
Certainly, my dear man. said he;
las many minutes as you like. Have
a Sullivan and sit down." And ne
handed me his silver cigarette-case.
NO" said I, finding a full voice as
shook my head; mo, I won't smoke
and l won't sit down, thank you Nor
will you ask me to do either when
7 cot
Really" said he. lighting his own
cigarette with one clear blue eye upon
me How do you know"
Because you'll probably show me
the door" I cried bitterly; land you'll
be Justified In doing it.. But it's no
use beating about the bush. You know
I dropped over two hundred just
now?''
He nodded.
II hadn't the money in my pocket"
81 remember"
But I had my check book and
wrote each of you check at that
desk"
"Well?"
mot one OF them was worth the
paper 1t was written on, Raffles. I
am overdrawn already at my bank!'
Surely only for the moment?
NO / have spent everything.
But somebody told me you were so
we'll off. heard you had come in for
money!"
80 Three years ago. 1t has
been curse; now it's all gone
every = my! Yes, I've been fool;
there never was or will be such
fool as I've been. Isn't this
enough for your Why don't you turn
me out?" He was walking up and
Couldn't your people do anything?"
he asked at length.
"Thank God" I cried. ''I have no
people! was an only child. I came
in for everything there was. My one
comfort is that they're gone and will
never know"
I cast myself into a chair and hid
my face. Raffles continued to pace
the rich carpet that was of a piece
with everything else in his rooms.
There was no variation in his soft and
even footballs.
you used to be a literary little
cuss." he said at length; didn't you
edit the mag. before you left? Any
way, recollect tagging you to do my
verses and literature o. all sorts is
the very thing nowadays; any fool can
make a living at II"
shook my head. ANY fool couldn't
write off my debts" sail 7.
'Then you have a fiat somewhere"
he went on.
Yes. In Mount street"
s'Well, what about the furniture?"
II laughed aloud in my misery.
.There's been a bill of sale on every
stick for months!'
And at that Raffles stood still with
raised eyebrows and stern eyes that
7 could meet the better now that he
knew the worst; then, with a shrug,
he resumed his walk, and for some
minutes neither of us spoke. But in
his handsome unmoved face / read
my fate and death warrant; and with
every breath l cursed my folly and
my cowardice in coming to him at ALL
Because he had been kind to me at
school, when he was captain of the
eleven, and | his flag. / had dared to
look for kindness from him now; be-
cause l was ruined, and he rich enough
to play cricket all the summer and
do nothing for the rest of the year,
l had fatuously counted on his mercy,
his sympathy. his helpl Yes. had re-
lied on him in my heart, for all my
outward diffidence and humility; and
was rightly served. There was as
little of mercy as Of sympathy in that
curling nostrel, that rigid jaw, that
cold blue eye which never glanced my
way. | caught up my hat. | Numbered
to my feet. I would have gone with
out word; but Raffles stood between
me and the door.
Where are you going?" said he.
That's my business" I replied. ct
won't trouble you any more''
Then how am I to help your"
II didn't ask your help
'.Then why come to me?"
why, indeed" 1 echoed. "will you
let me pass"
Not until you tell me where YOU are
going and what you mean to do
Cant you guess?' I cried And for
many seconds we stood staring In each
others eyes.
Have you got the pluck?" said he.
breaking the spell in a tone so cynical
that It brought my last drop of blood
to the boil.
s'You shall see" said /, as ! stepped
back and whipped the pistol from my
overcoat pocket NOW. will you let
me pass or shall I do It here?'
The barrel touched my temple and
my thumb the trigger Mad with ex-
citement as was. ruined. dishonored.
and now finally determined to make
an end Of my misspent life. nv only
surprise to this day is that ] did not
do 81 then and there The desnicable
eatisfaetiou Of involving another in