The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1906-03-15

dusty Office he half reclined, arms on
the desk, his chin on his clinched fists.
Tom took his own time in coming.
He had stayed at the club to go over
his lists-so he had told Crailey-with
the general and old Bareaud. His COM
pany was almost complete, and Crailey
had been the first to volunteer, to the
dumfounding of Trumble, who had pro-
ceeded to drink his health again and
again. But the lists could not detain
Tom two hours, Crailey knew, and it
was two hours since the new volun-
teers had SUNG "The Star Spangled
Banner over the last of the punch and
had left the club to Tom and the two
old men. Only once or twice in that
time had Crailey shifted his position or
altered the direction of his set gaze at
nothing. But at last he rose, went to
the window and, leaning far out, look
ed down the street toward the little
clubhouse. It's lights were extinguish-
ed, and all was dark up and down the
street. Abruptly Crailey went back to
the desk and blew out the candle, after
which he sat down again in the same
position. Twenty minutes later he
heard Toms step on the stair, coming
up very softly. Crailey waited in 81
lence until his partner reached the
landing, then relit the candle.
p ''Tom," he called, "come in, please.
I've been waiting for you"
There was a pause before Tom an
swered from the hall:
I'm very tired, Crailey. I think I'll
80 up to bed"
mo-" said Crailey; "come in"
The door was already open, but Tom
turned toward it reluctantly. He stop
ed at the threshold, and the two looked
at each other.
Il thought you wouldn't come as long
as you believed I was up," said Graf
ley, $50 I blew out the light. I'm sorry
l kept you outside so long"
"Crailey, I'm going away tomorrow"
the other began. II am to go over and
see the governor and offer him this
company, and tonight I need sleep, so
please
NO." interrupted Crailey quietly; Il
want to know what you're going to
do
ITO do about what?"
"About me-
"Oh!' Toms eyes fell at once from
his friends face and rested upon the
floor. Slowly he walked to the desk
and stood in embarrassed contempla-
ton of the Uttered books and papers,
while the other waited.
II think it's best for you to tell me-"
said Crailey.
You think 500" Toms embarrass-
ment increased visibly, and there was
mingled with it an odd appearance Of
apprehension, probably to relieve which
he very deliberately took two long
cheroots from his pocket, laid one on
the desk for Crailey and lit the other
himself with extreme carefulness at
the candle. After this ceremonial he
dragged chair to the window, tilted
back in it with his feet on the low sill.
his back to the thin light and his friend,
and said in a slow, gentle tone:
''Well, Crailey?"
Il suppose you mean that ought to
offer my explanation first?" said the
other, still standing. ''Well, there isn't
any" He did not speak doggedly or
sullenly, as one in fault, but more with
the air Of a man curiously ready to
throw all possible light upon a cloudy
phenomenon. Its very simple-all
that I know about it. went there
first on the evening Of the Madrillon
masquerade and played little come
dy for her, so that some Of my theat-
r1cal illusions they weren't very illu-