Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-17

 with a yawn from Fleetwood as he looked into his empty glass at the last bit of ice.
 Don't do that, Billy" smiled Siward. "You haven't discoursed upon art, lit erature and science yet, and you can't go until you've adjusted the affairs of the nation for the next twsnty-four hours"
 How soon viii you be out?" inquir- ed Fleetwood.
 Out? I don't know. I shall try to drive to the office tomorrow"
 "Why the devil did you resign from all your clubs? How can I see you if I don't come here?" began Fleetwood impatiently. q know, of course, that you're not going anywhere, but man always goes to his club. You don't look well, Stephen. You are too much alone"
 Siward did not answer. His face and body had certainly grown thinner since Fleetwood had last seen him. Plank. too, had 'saen shocked at the change in him-the dark, hard lines un- der the eyes; the pallor. the. curious immobility of the man. save for his fingers. which were always restless, now moving in search of some small object to worry and turn over and over, now nervously settling into a grasp on the arm of his chair.
 "How is Amalgamated Electric" asked Fleetwood abruptly.
 q think it's all right. Want to buy some?' replied Siward, smiling.
 Plank stirred in his chair ponder ously. Somebody is kicking it to pieces" he said.
 Somebody is trying to- smiled si- ward.
 Harrington" nodded Fleetwood. Si-, ward nodded back. Plank was silent
 "Of course," continued Fleetwood tentatively. you people need not wor. " with Howard Quarter back of you"
 Nobody said anything for awhile Presently Siward's restless hands, moving in search of something, en. countered a pencil lying on the table beside him, and he picked it up and began drawing initials and scrolls on the margin of a newspaper, and all the scrolls framed initials. and all the initials were the same, twining and twisting into endless variations of the letters S. l..
 "Yes, I must go to the office tomor- row." he repeated absently. "I am better-in fact, am quite well except for this sprain." He looked down at his bandaged foot; then his pencil mov- ed listlessly again, continuing the end less variations on the two letters. It was plain that he was tired.
 Fleetwood rose and made his adieus almost affectionately. Plank moved forward on tiptoe, bulky and noiseless, and Siward held out his hand, saying something amiably formal.
 Would you like to have me come again?" asked Plank. red with embar- rassment. yet so naively that at first Siward found no words to answer him; then:
 Would you care to come, MT. Plank?'
 Yes"
 Siward looked at him curiously, al. most cautiously. His first impressions of the man had been summed up in one contemptuous word. Besides. bar ring that, what was there in common between himself and such a type as Plank? He had not even troubled Gas isn't Lamps are worse. sir. Do as tell you" And he went on loqua- ciously, grumbling and muttering and never ceasing his talk, while Siward, wincing as the dressing was removed. lay back and closed his eyes.
 Half an hour later Gumble appear ed to announce dinner.
 q don't want any" said Siward.
 Eat" said pr. Grisby harshly.
 "I-don't care to"
 Eat, I tell you! Do you think I don't meas what I say?"
 Do He que HIS DEOlu anu tOusl, tue doctor curtly declining to join him. He ate hurriedly. closing his eyes in aversion. Even the iced tea was fiat and dlstasteful to him.
 And at last he lay back. white and unstrung. the momentarily deadened glimmering under his half closed eyes. And for long while Dr. Grisby sat, doubled almost in two, cuddling his bony little knees and the patterns in the faded car pet.
 q guess you'd better go, Stephen" be said at length.
 Up the river to Mulqueen's?'
 "Yes. Let's try it. Steve. You'll be