Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1907-08-10

hips; but then he seemed to check him.
self, Il suppose you are STILL" he added,
flushing.
sit down, dear boy" answered Quin-
ton, sinking gracefully into one OF Mrs
Simcox's armchairs, leaning back and
crossing his legs. As he looked at Digby,
he felt he would rather face the work
house than ask for the half contemplate
ed loan. "You win excuse my disha-
billie" he added, catching sight of his
red slippers. you caught me at busy
moment"
I've often thought of you," said Dig
by, 'and wondered how you were getting
along. Do you remember some of the
old nights By jove! how | used to
envy you fellows. What life it
seemed
"Ah, there's nothing like it-nothing, .
answered Quinton.
Still, | suppose that as you get on in
life engagements are rather more diff
fcult to get?"
"One man in his time plays many
parts, you understand" said Quinton
Wayland. "One has to accommodate
oneself to circumstances. Some, of
course, may find it difficult"
He shrugged his shoulders as if he,
for his own part, had no personal con
Germ with, such vicissitudes, but not for
an instant was he under any miscon-
ception. Although he chose to assume
an air of bravado, he knew that Digby
was not to be deceived. Whilst Quinton
had never more deliberately acted be-
fore any audience, he perfectly realized
that his art was undisguised. He saw
also that Digby was endeavoring to sup
press natural tendency to remark upon
his evil days; Quinton more than half
suspected that his old acquaintance had
been brought to the house by pity, by a
desire to offer help which at all costs
must be refused-even resented.
Now, / don't believe for minute you
could guess why | have interrupted you
this morning" said Digby, and his man
ner grew quite painfully embarrassed
Aud lang syne, dear boy" answered
Quinton, on the alert to turn and rend
the visitor if he yentured too far.
"Ah, yes, of course" continued Digby.;
"but the fact is, / hate to be in any
mans debt, and that little sum has
often been on my mind l knew it was
not of any Importance to you, or natur-
ally | should have sent it,
Quinton found it more difficult to
maintain tranquil demeanor. Forgive
me, my dear Strong" he said, ''if | don't
know what you're talking ABOUT"
You were always careless With your
cash" was the answer and Digb1's face
was crimson. "You always flung it
about as if you were Charles Surface.
Besides, you used to be pretty flush in
those days"
QuintOn suppressed a sigh 1t was
true that he had earned a satisfactory
income, although he could not remember
having displayed such recklessness as
Digby alluded to. A curious degree of
seemed to take possession of
him, and he realized more than ever that
he was playing a part. Moreover, he
could scarcely resist the conclusion that
Digby Strong was playing one also, play
ing it very clumsily. If Strong had Of
fered help it would have been indignant
ly rejected, but whilst Quinton began to
believe that assistance would be forth
coming, his resentment was evaporating
10 was as if they were both agreeing to
make believe.
We'll, well; ones day may not be
quite over yet" said Quinton.
Good heaven! no. hope not" an
swered Digby. Then" he added, you
don't seem to remember lending me that
f20?"
Quinton leaned forward. with one ell
bow on his knee. his hand supporting
his forehead, with long finger extend
ed over his hair.
Twenty poundsr he murmured.
Il was-well, you know, | was in an
awful hole at the time continued Digby
hastily. II don't know what | should
have done without it. | am ashamed
to say | left England without paying
you, and now"
Quinton Wayland rose from his chair
and, resting the tips of his fingers on
the edge of the table, assumed an atti-
tude of ludicrous dignity.
Il think you must be making a mis-
take" he said.
My mistake" muttered Digby, TAX
ing case from his breast pocket, was
in not returning the money before" He
began to unfold them.
"Sir,' cried Quinton, in his most
stately manner, Il have no recollection
whatever of the occurrence
For a moment it appeared as if Digby
was on the point of collapse, but then.
making a great effort; he pulled himself
together.
"Well, that's no wonder" he ex-
claimed. forcing a laugh.
IF you intend TO insinuate that / am
becoming senile-
Not at all, not at ALL" said Digby.
Il was merely remembering how young
we both were at the time. l remember
your giving me the money-four to
notes"-he looked down at those in his
well as if it We're yesterday"
Can you inform me, returned Quin-
ton. why my memory should be so de
feetive|
4 could if you would not be-not put
your back upr'
Quinton waved his right hand by way
of giving permission.
"You see" said Digby, you were
pretty we'll screwed at the timew
A smile lighted Quinton's haggard.
emaciated face He did not believe the
assertion for an instant; indeed. he had
always been an extremely abstemious
man. Nevertheless, by some curious
process of rea soning,e the explanation
sufficient.
"Ah, well, the follies of YOUTH he
cried. and, returning to his chair, he
sat down again, crossing his legs and
keeping his sunken eyes on the bank
notes.