Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-01-02

pretended reform which isn't skin
deep. You have made them believe you
are living straight when you are ca
rousing; that you keep respectable
company when you have taken up with
besotted and discredited gambler"
II suppose you mean DR.. Moreau,"
returned Hugh. "There are plenty of
people in town who are worse than he
is"
"He is quack-dropped from the
hospital staff for addiction to drugs
and expelled from his club for cheat
ing at cards."
Hes down and out" said Hugh
sullenly, 'and any cur can bite him.
He never cheated me, and I find him
better company than your sanctimo-
NOUS. psalm singing sort. I'm not go
ing to give him the cold shoulder be-
cause everybody else does. l never
went back on a friend yet. I'm not
that sortv
''You never had friend, Hugh"
said Harry steadily. "You never real
~ loved anybody or anything but
yourself. You are utterly selfish. You
are deliberately lying every hour you
live to those who love you. You are
playing a part-for your own ends!
You We're only good imitation of a
good fellow at college. You are
poor imitation of a man of honor
now"
Hugh rose to his feet as he answer
ed hotly: "And what are you, I'd like
to know? Just because l take my
pleasure as I please. while you choose
to make stained glass cherub of
yourself, is, no reason why I'm not
just as good as you! / knew you
| well enough before you set up for such
| pattern. You didn't go in much then
| for a theological diet. Pshaw~ he
went on, swapping his fingers toward
| the well stocked bookshelves. 81 won-
| der how much of all that you real
ly believe! l imagine your friends
don't call you Satan now?'
No." returned Harry quietly, ''they
| don't call me Satan now"
He went back to the safe.
The movement set Hugh instantly
to regretting his hasty tongue If he
| had only assumed penitence instead
| of flying into passion he might have
had the money he wanted just as well
as not.
There's no sense in us two quarrel
ing" he said hastily. We've been
intend to when 1 came in. I suppose
you're right about some things, and
probably dropping Moreau wouldn't
hurt me any. I'm sorry I said all
did. Only-the money seemed such a
little thing. and II needed it,
| Harry stood an instant with his
hand on the knob; then instead of clos
ing the door he drew out little draw
er. He lifted a packet of crisp yellow
backs and slowly counted out 500.
I'm trying to believe you mean what
you say, Hugh" .he said.
Hughs fingers closed eagerly over
the cracking notes. ''Now, that's
white of you after everything l said.
You're 4 good fellow, Harry, after all.
and I'll always say So" He pocketed
the money with an air of relief and
picked up his hat and cane.
Just then from the dusty street came
the sound of carriage wheels and the
click Of the gate latch.
Its Bishop Ludlow" he said, glanc-
ing through the window. Hes COM
ing In. 1 think I'll slip out the side
way. Thanks for the loan, and-Pll
think over what you've said"
Avoiding the bishop, Hugh stepped
toward the gate. The money was in
his pocket Well, one of these days
he would not have to grovel for pal
try $50. He would be his own mas.
ter and could afford to let Harry San.
derson and everybody else think what
they liked.
80 I'm playing a part, am Ir' he
said to himself. 'Why should your
holiness trouble yourself over it if ]
am? Not because you're so careful OF
the governors feelings, not by long
shot! It's because you choose to think
Jessica Hoime Is too good for me
That's where the shoe pinches. Per
haps you'd like to play at that game
yourself. eh?'
He walked jauntily up the street
toward the door with the little barred
; window.
''The old man is fond Of her. He
thinks 1 mean to settle down and LEI
the moss grow over my ears, and he'll
do the proper thing. It'll be goot
way to put my head above water ant
; keep it there. 1t must be soon
! though"
:, * *