Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1906-03-21

UX J AlDdUy Us ldSI ucSpeC.
 SD ate resort The scene of Rfl@MNhY my disaster was much as S0VGx2l had left it. The bac-
 carat counters still strew- ed the table, with the empty glasses and the loaded ash trays. A window had been opened to let the smoke out and was letting in the fog instead. Rallies himself had merely discarded his dining jacket for one of his in- numerable blazers, yet he arched his eyebrows as though had dragged him from his bed.
 Forgotten something?' said he when he saw me on his mat.
 "No," said l, pushing past him with out ceremony. And I led the way into to myself.
 Mot come back for your revenge. have you? Because I'm afraid I can't give 1t you single handed. l was sorry myself that the others
 We were face to face by his fireside, and cut him short.
 'Raffles," said I, "you may well be surprised at my coming back in this way and at this hour. l hardly know you. 1 was never in your rooms before tonight. But 1 fagged for you at school, and you said you remembered me. Of course that's no excuse. But will you listen to me for two min utes:'
 In my emotion had at first to struggle for every word, but his face treasured me as l went on, and l was not mistaken ill it's expression.
 Certainly, my dear man," said he, "as many minutes as you like. Have Sullivan and sit down." And he hand ed me his silver cigarette case.
 'No," said l, finding a full voice as l shook my head; mo, I won't smoke. and I won't sit down, thank you. Nor will you ask me to do either when you've heard what have to say"
 ''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, "and you'E be justified in doing it! But it's no use DodIllS dDOuL lIle DuSll. lou knOW I dropped over f20O just now?''
 He nodded.
 'I hadn't the money in my pocket" 'I remember ''
 But l had my check book, and l wrote each of you a check at that desk.'
 "Well?"
 '.Not one of them was worth the pa per it was written on, Rallies. l am overdrawn already at my bank"
 "Surely only for the moment?"
 No. have spent everything"
 "But somebody told me you were so well off. heard you had come in for money"
 ''So l did-three years ago. It has been my curse Now it's all gone-ev- cry penny. Yes, I've been q fool. There never was nor will be such a fool as I've been. Isn't this enough for you? Why don't you turn me out?" He was walking up and down with a very ]cng face instead
 "CcMldn't your people do anything?' he asked at length.
 "Thank God" l cried, "1 have no people! I was an only child. l came in for everything there was. My one comfort is that they're gone and will never know
 cast myself into chair and hid my .ace. Rallies continued to pace the rich carpet that was of piece with everything else in his rooms. There Eas no variation in his soft and even xootfalls.
 You used to be literary little cuss," he said at length, "Didn't you edit the mag. before you left? Any way I recollect Tagging you to do my verses. and literature of all sorts iS the very thing nowadays. Any fool can make d living at it.
 shook my head. Any fool couldn't write off my debts," said l.
 "Then you have a flat somewhere?' he went on.
 "Yes. in Mount street." I "Wel, what about the furniture?'
 I laughed aloud in my misery. "rhere's been a bill of sale on every stick for monthS''
 And at that Rallies stood still, with raised eyebrows and stern eyes that T. could meet the better now that he knew the worst. Then, with shrug, he resumed his walk, and for some minutes neither of us spoke. But in his handsome, unmoved face l read my fate and death warrant. and with every breath cursed my folly and my cowardice in coming to him at all. Be cause he had been kind to me at school when he was captain of the eleven and q his flag had dared to look for kind neae from him now. Because l was ru1ned and he rich enough to play cricket all the summer and do nothing 6ar the rest of the year had fatu' npsly counted ea ais mescZ hssympe'