Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-08
CHAPTER XXI.
WAu Eools.n


Mr. Eugene Winsiow came home from
what he considered the MethodiEts unpar-
donable attack upon him. greatly shaken
and with deep sense of humiliation and
helplessness. 1t was the first time Eureka
had ever seen him disturbed out of his
customary dignity and calm. and he had
been five years in the town.
Still under thirty, he had reputation
over half the state for clear-headed cool
headed common sense. the ability to grasp
the situation and do the thing which should
be done, with enough learning to prove his
right to do it. He expected. and SO did
everyone else. that he would be the next
district attorney. Barker coveted the dis
tinction, deserved 1t. when he was sober,
and was nearly twice Winsiow's age. Prob
ably he would get it now, thought the agi-
tated lawyer, seating himself at his desk
and burying his head in his hands.
1t was a bad move to antagonize Jack.
Confound the Methodist, how did he know
1t was like him to be shopping around!"
What would they say on Richmond Hill
Over and over again he reviewed tie
evening and its influence upon his future
until his brain was sore How could he
right himself? How could he belittle, de-
grade. make ridiculous, the one who had
SApuStQ MN Lie tWO ueSii eS were tHe
Schemes mad as the gallop of wild horses
raced through his brain, followed by slower.
more cunning plans. At last he detained
one. scrutinized it, questioned it, and
smiled approvingly. He drew pen and
paper toward him and commenced to write.
Gradually the tension relaxed. He sighed,
the long fiuttering sigh of one who sees the
clouds lift In expression, whatever the re-
suit might be, he was finding relief. Only
the rapid progress of the pen over the paper
told how he was yet moved. He drove the
words before him like flock of sheep. Now
and then he stopped and read what he had
written, laughing to himself The color
came back to his cheeks. the light to his
eyes. He was himself again
Night passed, day came and found him
there, still eager, alert determined. Once
more he ran through the closely written
pages and smiled. He gathered the sheets
together and caught his hat from the table
where he had flung. 1t on his return from
the church. In very different mood from
that which possessed him then, he ran
lightly down the stairs and hurried along
the street.
The lights in the office of the Sentinel
were being lowered out of Difference to the
sun, and because Pen
rose was through his work until after
breakfast. He looked up as Winslow en-
tered not wholly pleased at the inter
ruption.
II have something for the paper; is it too
later asked Winslow abruptly.
Yes, it is said Penrose with decision.
and, anyway, if it's about last night, I'll
tell you to begin with that 1 mean to say
very little about that affair"
who wants you to say anything about
it?" returned Winslow loftily. This ar
ticle is concerned with an entirely different
matter, OF course, If you don't care TO
look 1t over" he made move toward
the door.
Hold on. Don't go off like thatr' cried
Penrose. He had too many times sought
out the lawyer for advice and information
and the phrasing of an editorial to send
him away dissatisfied or unsatisfied. Lets
see what you've got" He held out his
hand for the manuscript. II thought"
You thought | was as crazy as the rest
of you,' finished Winslow. I'm not. I
was indignant at that fellows actions and
ninnies-I don't want to talk about it
Give US your stuff urged Penrose
again extending his hand. Winslow, with
a laugh, relinquished his papers.
Penrose was tired. but he was also
curious. There was something in Winslow's
manner, at once complacent and eager.
which. stimulated inquiry. He had some
thing there which was worth while or he
would have waited to bring 1t later.
Penrose hitched his chair along to the
window, drew the shade higher and began
to read. Before he had read half a dozen
lines low chuckle broke from him. At
the bottom of the page he laughed aloud.
Winslow grinned, in sympathy and self
appreciation. Penrose hurried on. Again
lie iduSHSu anu winged IlSf mead from size
to side. His face frightened. The lines
OF fatigue disappeared. 1t was not often
in his daily routine that he happened upon
anything SO full OF meat He looked up at
the lawyer, as he concluded, with an ex-
preston very like awe on his thin, sallow
face.
ITS good enough for any big New York
daily" he said solemnly. by Jimmy
crocus, Winslow, how'd you ever do it?"
I've thought about these things for
some time" said Winslow modestly. I've
read good deal on the subject. That's
why can't stand hearing these half
baked. uneducated fellows around here I'M
dertake to tell people what to believe
'It'll raise hell among the minister's" said
Penrose, IF / print It,"
You're not obliged to print IT," said
Winslow.
but it'll go all over the United States"
pursued Penrose, thinking aloud It's
dynamite, Kill. 30 per cent. sure's you live.
but it's great" He again glanced over the
sheets he held in his hand. DO you want
to sign your name to this?" he asked.
''Ill sign my initials" replied Winslow
"All right. sir. In she goesi" said PEN
rose. It's too late for today's paper, but
It'll be In tomorrow s-Wednesday's"
That's all right said Winslow. And
there's another thing want to speak about
Penrose. Some one ought TO organize a
debating club to discuss these live topics;
why don't you do TT"
''Me?" cried Penrose in dismay. 81
couldn't a debating club to save my
damned neck"
You wouldn't have to- returned Win
slow easily. Get II started and elect a
president and you wouldn't have any more
trouble"
There wouldn't any one take the Office"
declared Penrose land there I'd be with
a club on my hands. You've always said
you hadn't time for such things"
'Oh. well. in an affair of this kind--rght
In my line" began Winslow.
Would you be president Of such a club ~
inquired Penrose point-bIank.
why yes, If they wanted me to-
"All right, sir; wen see what we can
do"
"Penrose," said Winsiow solemnly. IT am
convinced that you and I between US can
accomplish a great deal in the intellectual
development of Eureka"
II don't know about my part of IT. said
Penrose humbly; but he was evidently
taken with the plan.
Before the two men separated they had
organized the Eureka Debating Club, on
paper. selected its officers and written
notice to appear In the same newspaper
with Winslow's article, appointing Thurs
day night for the first meeting, to be held
in the school house.
1t was not until Winslow had left the
office that Penrose rememk cred that this
was the night of the Methodist mid-week
prayer yneat{nq IT never occurred RI him