Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-15

and released him With a discreetly sti- fed yawn. I'm disgracefully sleepy, The wind blew ike fury along the coast. Sylvia, have you had a good time at Shotover-.t the time of youe life:'
 Sylvia raised hes eyes and encounr tered Siward's.
 T certainly have,s' she said faintly.
 The dinner was very gay. The cere- mony of christening the Shotover cup, which Quarter had won, proceeded with presentation speech and speech of acceptance faultlessly common place. during which Quarter wore his smile-whieh was the only humorous thing he contributed.
 The cup was full Siward eyed 1t, perplexed, deadly afraid, yet seeing no avenue of escape from what must ap- pear a public exhibition of contempt for Quarter if he refused to taste its contents. That meant bad night for him. Yet he shrank more from the certain misinterpretation of refusal to drink from the huge loving cup, with its heavy wreath of scented or chids, now already on its way toward him, than he feared the waking strug- gle so sure to follow.
 Marion received the cup, lifted it in both hands and said distinctly, Good hunting. as she drank to Quarter Her brother Gordon took it and drank entirely too much. Then Sylvia lifted 1t, her white hands half buried among the orchids. "To you" she murmured for Siward's ear alone. then drank gayly, mischievously, "To the best shot at Shotover!" And Siward took the cup. T salute victory" he said, smil- ing, always and everywhere. To him who takes the fighting chance and wins out. To the best man. Healthw And he drank as gentleman drinks, with gay bow to Quarter and wsh death in his heart.
 Later the irony of it struck him so Srimly that he laughed, and Sylvia, beside him, looked up, disInayed to see the gray change in his face.
 Later at cards the aromatic odor of Alderdene's decanter reused him to fierce desire, but he fought it down un- til only the deadened, tearing ache re- mained to shake and loosen every nerve. And when Ferrall. finishing his usual batch of business letters. ar- rived to cut in if needed Siward drop- ped his cards. with a shudder. and rose so utterly unnerved that Captain Voucher, noticing his drawn face. ask ed him if he were not ill.,
 He was leaving on an earlier train than the others. having decided to pass through Boston and Deptford. at which latter place lie meant to leave Saga more for the winter III care of the manager of his mothers farm. so he took quiet leave of those to whom the civility might not prove an inter- ruption. In the big hall he passed Marion and stopped to take his leave.
 No, he would do no hunting this sea son either at Carysford or with the two trial packs at Eastwood. Possibly at Warrenton later. but probably not. Business threatened to detain him in town more or less.
 And that was all. unless he disturbed Sylvia. seated at cards with Quarrier and Major Belwether and Leila Mor- timer and very intent on the dummy. very still and trifle pallid with the pallor of concentration.
 So that was all. then.
 Ascending the stairs, a servant hand cd him letter bearing the crest of the Lenox club. He pocketed it unopened and continued his way.
 In the darkness of bis own room he sat down. the devils own clutch on his shrinking nerves. a deathly desire tear ing at his very vitals and every vein a tiny trail of fire run riot. He had been too long without it. too long to endure the craving aroused by that gay draft from Quarters loving cup.
 The awakened fury of his desire ap- palled him. and for awhile that occu- pied him. enabling him to endure. But fear and disnay soon passed in the purely physical distress. He walked the floor. baggard. the sweat starting on his face: he lay with clinchei hands stiiTened out across the bed. deafened by the riotous elamOr Of his pulses, conscious that he was holding out. unconscious how long he could hold out.
 He turned on the light later to look for his pipe. and he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. It was a sick man who stared hack at him out of hollow eyes. and the physical revuI- sion shocked him into something re- sembIing self command
 -D-n y0a!- .. said fercely. set ting his teeth and staring 8zck at his reflected face ~I-Il Kill you yet be- fore I've finished with you.
 CTo be Continued.