The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1905-09-15

eity's rush and whirl was the only
possible relief, and TO gain it he often
walked to or from his oGiee. not for
exercise, but merely 10 quiet the wild
| spirit Of unrest which demanded some
| physical outlet.
| 1t was this necessity which forced
| him un Nassau street at the close OF
| the directors meeting.
kennard picked his way along the
swarming streets. noted and watched
by thousands of curious eyes from
hundreds OF crowded windows and
Orways-himself a contrast in the
City Of Contrasts.
Out OF the atmosphere of sweat into
the air of sweetness, out of the huddle
If despair into the upright of hope
gut of the shadow of squalor into the
brilliance Of splendor, out of the eye
Of envy into the glance of arrogance
one little stride will suffice you in the
glorious City of Contrasts.
Delmonico's was a blend of soft
lights and delicate colors The white,
ness of the linen and the glitter OF
silver were toned down by lamps and
foliage to just the proper effect Of ele-
gance and good taste. There was moth
ing eaudy and nothing cheap. Every
thing was graduated, restful, and COM
plete. 1t was impossible to reconcile
this quiet, stage-like picture with the
noisy, restless panorama he had Just
witnessed, and Kennard did not at
tempt the impossible as he gazed at
the diners through the glass partition,
even though the clatter of footsteps
sounded in his ears above the distant
strains of the hidden orchestra-foot-
steps that neither marched nor danced
to the measures.
Francois the perfect maitre d'hotel,
francois the respectful and respected
caught his inquiring glance and hur-
ried forward
No, M'sieur Maddox had not been
there that evening Would Msieur
Kennard leave a message for him if
he should come in? To come to
M'sieur's rooms tonight? He should
be DISQUALIFICATION fail he
should have the message. Was there
anything else? No? Very good,
M'sieur-Thank YOU Goodnight.
On one Of the benches in the han
sat a coarse-teatured man, his chin
covered by a black stubble OF beard, |
and his mouth hidden by a mustache
Of more luXuriant growth. His hat
vas tilted up on the back of his head |
and his clothes were the unmistakabl5 !
choosing of the vulgar man who de. |
sires to be well dressed. a type one
would stare at in a place like Delmon- |
ico's, but pass without notice else
where.
Kennards glance was attracted not !
by the incongruitv between the man |
and his surroundings, but because he |
was gazing earnestly at a splendid, |
long-stemmed JacQueminot rose which !
he held in his rough, blotchy hands.
The contrast between this coarse
grained, pimply personality, and the |
aesthetic beauty of the flower fasci-
mated Kennard. But as he gazed, the |
man sharpened the graceful stem Of /
the rose, and deliberately, even
thoughtfully, began picking his teeth
with it. The picture was instantly /
harmonious but kennard moved away.
At tho doorway some one touched
mis- shoulder, and he turned to find
himself confronted by. the man Of the
Iacqueminot rose.
They REGARDED one another for a mo-
nent without speakinc-Kenuard in
luiringly. tho other Smilinely
you don't remember me, Mr. Ken
lard?"
A sudden fash of recollection re-
'~',@d the speakers face, but not his
"Not-quite."
'Um, I don't wonde-. considering I'VE
yrown a beard and considarinE-well,
5tAer things ne added with laugh
However. let byeones he bygones, l
ay. I'm in a different business these
lays. Peter McMannis is my name.
m in with the Guardian now. Guess
ou've heard of that journal Damned
ptsrrrising, amt it? I'm a sort of
rec lance with no fear and some favor.
Understand? Any story, from a SER
non to shooting, is meat for me. :
lows the Conted? Hopping up in
he street, see. Might dc you turn
ONE day for the right tip on it. hate
he fool unions now worse than you
id. Threw me down on some lie
bout committee funds. Trundell put E
le into this line of work. He and you =.
re solid pals now. Ell? Hope there's /
o hard feeling between you and me.
Tothing worth telling tonight? No? +
Veil, so long" 3,