Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-02
Milbanke met the attack unsteadily.
ssAIy dear DeniS--',


my dear Denis"
But before the words had left his lips,
Asshlin flung the cards upon the table with
force that sent score Of them flying
across the room.
And may 1 ask you for your reasons p
he demanded, with alarming calm.
Mlbanke fenced.
Il do not wish to play"
And I don't wish to be treated a
fool"
The other altered his attitude.
my dear Denis, you surely acknowledge
the right of free-wilI? I do not wish to
play cards. and therefore beg to be excused.
What could be simpler?"
His manner was slightly perturbed. his
speech hasty. There was the suggestion of
sleeping volcano in his hosts unnatural
calm.
In the silence that followed, Asshlin lifted
his glass and emptied it slowly.
Il don't know about that" he said, as he
set it down. There are unwritten codes
that all the free-will in the world won't
dispose of. One of them is that gentle
man who wins at cards cannot refuse his
opponent the satisfaction of his revenge.
But perhaps the etiquette has changed since
my time"
His manner was still controlled but his
eyes glittered.
Milbanke cleared his throat
MY dear Asshlin,' he said, I'VE are sure
ly friends of too long standing to split hairs
In this fashion. What is this revenge that
you talk of? Nothing-a myth-an mag
mary justification of honor"
quick sound Of contempt escaped ASH
lin.
And what is every code and every senti-
ment in the world but an outcome of i'm
agination?" he cried. what is it but i'm
agination that herds us off from the beasts?
I'm satisfied to call 1t imagination. It
tells me that was worsted last night, and
that I'm capable of better things If I try
my luck again. And I'm satisfied to follow
its promptngs-and demand my revenge"
a W mi nd
undecided; then, under the goad of the
others eyes, he did an ill-judged thing.
Fumbling nervously for his letter-case, he
rose from his seat and walked across to the
fireplace.
There is nothing for you to revenge" he
night. It's Cancelled. 1 cancel it,
With tremulous haste he pulled out the
letter-caSe, extracted AsShlins check, and
dropped 1t into the fire.
There was a pause-a pause of tremendous
momentum which he stood aghast at his
own deed. Then Asshlin turned on him, his
face purple and convulsed with rage.
You dare to insult me? You dare to In
suit me in my own house? You dare to i'm
ply that it was the money-the ID money
that l wanted to win back?'
Milbanke looked up sharply.
Good God, nor he exclaimed, with I'M
wonted vehemence. "Such thought never
entered my mind
Then what's the meaning Of all this?
What Is it all driving at?'
Asshlins hard, handsome face was con-
torted by passion and his hands shook
Nothing. It's driving at nothing. 1t is
simply that 1 do not wish to play"
And why not?" ASSh1in suddenly rose
his great body towering above the others.
Why not? BY God. III have an answer!'
There is no answer"
mo answer. Well see about that. Who's
been lying to you about me? Who's been
carrying scandals about me? Out with it!
Out with itI'
Then unexpectedly Milbanke's trepidation
forsook him. He suddenly Strengthened
himself.
mo one," he answered.
No one?, Are you quite sure?'
mo one."
Then what do you mean by this? What
do you mean by medding in my affairs?"
He took a menacing step forward
Milbanke stood firm. Il have my rea-
sons he said quietly.
You have your reasons, have your
Asshlin laughed harshly. Then I'll have
my answer. What do you mean by it?''
For a second the other remained silent
and unmoved; then a light cleaned in his
colorless eyes.
"All right" he said. You shall have it.
Perhaps it is as well. I came here expect
ing to see the boy had known grown into
a genial, hospitable, honorable gentleman;
instead, l find him an undisciplined, tyran-
nical egotist."
He said it quickly in rush Of unusual
vehemence. All his antcipations, all his
suspicious and their subsequent justifica-
tion-coupled with the new sense of protec-
ton toward the children of his early friend
found voice in the words.
You are an egotist, Denis" he repeated
distinctly. "a weak worthless egotist-not
fit to have children-not fit to have a
friend"
Asshlin stared at him for a moment in
speechless surprise; then indignation sur
mounted every other feeling. With fierce
gesture he took another step forward, his
eyes blazing, his hand menacingly clinched.
"How-how dare your he stammered.
How dare you! By God. If you were
bigger man Pd-Pd-'
He paused, choked by his fury.
Il know. l know. But I'm not afraid OF
you. I'm not to be bullied into subsection"
Milbanke's temper, difficult to rouse, was
stirred at last. He gave his host glance for
glance.
You realize what you have said?'
Asshlin's dark face was distorted, his
voice came unSteadily.
Yes. l regret that l have had to say it,
but l do not regret saying 1t. 1t is whole
some for man to hear the truth"
oh, it's wholesome to hear the truth, Is
it?'
Yes; and I won't see you go to pieces
for want of hearing it. You are a man with
obligations, and you are neglecting your OBJ
legations There are other things in life
besides cards and horses
Asshlin suddenly threw back his head
with another harsh laugh.
by God, you're right!' he cried. "And
the other things are a d--n sight worse
I'd put good horse before a self-right-
eous preacher any day"
Milbanke's usually palid face flushed
You mean that for me?' he asked,
quietly.
Asshlin shrugged his shoulders
IF you like" he said. IF the cap fits"
For a moment Milbanke said nothing
then once again he Strengthened his small
thin figure.
Very well, Denis,' he said IT quite I'M
derstand. With your permission l will say
goodbye to you know, and tomorrow morn
Ing will catch the earliest train from
MuSkeere'
He looked at his host steadily. Then
through the temper that still mastered him.
twinge of regret, sense of parting and
loss obtruded themselves. With all his in
tolerable faults, Asshlin still stood within
the halo and glamor of the past.
Denis" he exclaimed, suddenly
But the appeal was made too late. I'm
controllabie fury-the one power which
could efface his sense of hospitality-pos-
sessed Asshlin. His pulses pounded; his
senses were blurred. With a seething con-
seriousness of insult and injury, he turned
again upon his guest
You can go to - for all carep' he
cried, sava gely.
For second Milbanke continued to look
crossed the room, and passed into the hail.
Go be continued tomorrow