The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-09-23

In defense or the same he replied N
detail:
Il am aware that I talk to my IA
Their. sir" said he, with spirit. You
never allow me TO forget that fact. If
another man spoke TO me as you do
should probably break his head.
have read the Bible and find therein
that parents owe a duty to their chill
dren which certainly does not include
being abused like a pickpocket My
mother will not pine away if you will
leave her alone for at least three hours
q day And as to my being the prop
OF your old age. your vigor of language
assures me that you are strong enough
TO stand alone"
SO Paul Beecot repaired TO London
and after the orthodox fashion began
to cultivate the muses. on a little oat-
meal by renting a Bloomsbury garrett.
There he wrote realms on all subjects
and In all styles and for six months as
siduously haunted publishers doors
with varying fortunes Sometimes he
came away with a check, but more
often with a bulky manuscript bulging
his pocket
Shortly the great manager of the
Universal theater enlisted Paul as an
actor and lie assumed the double role
OF an unappreciated author and a sigh
ing lover. In the first capacity he had
IN his desk ten short stories. a couple
of novels, three dramas and a sheaf of
doubtful verses. These failed to APP
peal to editor. manager or publisher,
and their author found himself re-
duced to his last five pound note Then
the foolish, ardent lad must needs fall
in love. Who his divinity was, what
she was and why she should be div
inized can be gathered from CONVEX
sation her worshiper held with an old
schoolfellow.
1t was in Oxford street at o'clock
on a June afternoon that Paul met
Grexon Hay. Turning the corner of
the street leading to his Bloomsbury
attic, the author was tapped on the
shoulder by resplendent Bond street
being-that is, the said being wore a
perfectly fitting frock coat, a silk hat,
trousers with the regulation fold back
and front, an orchid buttonhole, gray
gloves, boots that glittered. and carried
gold topped cane. The fact that Paul
wheeled without wincing showed that
be was not yet in debt.
"Beecot" said the newcomer, taking
rapid stock of PauFs shabby serge suit
and worn looks. Il thought l was
right"
The voice If not the face awoke old
memories.
"Hay-Grexon Hay" cried the strug-
Cling genius. We'll, I am glad to see
you" And he shook hands with the
frank grip of an honest man.
And l you" Hay drew his friend
up the side street and out of the human
tide which deluged the pavement. But
you SEEM
ITS a long story" interrupted Paul,
flushing Come to my castle and I'll
tell you all about 1t, old boy. You'll
stay to supper. won't you? See here
Paul displayed a parcel-"a pound of
sausages. You loved 'em at school,
and I'm a superfine cook
Grexon Hay always used expression
and word to hide his feelings But
with Paul-whom he had always con
sidered a generous ass at Torrington
school-a trif1e of self betrayal didn't
matter much Beecot was too dense
and, it may be added, too honest to
turn any opportunity to advantage.
ITS a most surprising thing" said
Hay in his calm way, really a most
surprising thing. that Torrington
public schoolboy, my friend and the
son of wealthy parents should be buy
ing sausages."
Come, now" said Paul, with great
spirit and towing Hay homeward, Il
haven't asked you for money"
IF you do, you shall have It," said
Hay, but the offer was not so cener-
Gus a one as would appear. That was
Hay all over. He always said what
he did not mean and knew well that
Beecot's uneasy pride SHE'D at loans,
however small
Paul, the unsophisticated, took the
shadow of generosity for its substance
and his dark face lighted up. You're
brick, Hay" he declared, but don't
want money. Moths in reply to an
eloquent glance from the well to do
Il have sufficient for my needs. and
BESIDES with look at the reSplendent
dress OF the fashion plate dandy, Il
don't glitter in the west end"
(Which hints that those who do are
rich" said Grexon. with an arctic
smile. Wrong, Beecot. I'm poor
Only paupers can afford to dress well :"
in that case l must be a million
aire," laughed Beecot, glancing down
ward at his we'll worn garb But
mount these stairs. We have much to
say to one another"
"Much that is pleasant" said the
courtly Grexon.
Paul shrugged his square shoulders
and stepped heavenward. "On your
part. I hope" he sang back: Certain
" not on mine Come to Poverty cas-.
tie" And the fashionable visitor found