Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1909-01-02

the corner. In which he kept his tithes
and his charities When Hugh. shrug-
ging his shoulders as IL L. dismiss the
unwelcome picture be had painted.
turned again. Harry was putting into
It some papers from his pocket Hugh
saw the action His eyes fastened on
the safe avidly
Il say" he said after a moments
pause as Harry made 10 shut its door.
''can you loan me another tifty7 I'm
Eat on my uppers again. and the old
man has been tight as nails with me
since came back I'm sure to be
able 20 return It with the rest I'm
week or two"
Harry stretched his hand again to
ward the safe. then drew ii back. with
compressed lips He had met Hugh
with persistent courtesy and the other
had found him sufficiently obliging
with loans. Hugh's lowered gaze saw
the arrested movement. and bis cheek
flushed
"Oh. II it's inconvenient I won't trou-
bic you for the accommodation" be
said Il dare say | can raise 1T
The attempt az nonchalance cost him
a palpable effort Comparatively small
as the amount was. ne needed Il He
was I'm sore straits.
at isn't that Il Is inconvenient.
Hugh" said Harry Its that can't
approve your manner Of living lately.
and don't know where the fifty is
going"
The mark on Hugh's brow Redeemed
81 wasn't aware that I was expected
TO render you an accounting" he said
sulSily. III I do borrow a dollar or two
now and then. What II play cards
and drink a little when I'm dry7 I've
got 20 have a bit OF amusement once IN
awhile between prayers. You liked II
yourself well enough before you dis
covered a sudden talent for preach
ingr'
"Some men hide their talents under a
napkin" said Harry You drown
yours-in a bottle. You have been
steadily going downhill You are de
ceiving your father-and others-with
a pretended refGT;S which isn't skin
deep. You have made them believe you
are living straight when you are ca
rousing; that you keep respect, Bile
company when you have taken up with
a besotted and discredited gamblerF
81 suppose you mean Or. Moreau,"
returned Hugh There are plenty OF
people In town who are worse than be
is"
'He is a quack-dropped from the
hospital stan 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 hnd him
better company than your sanctimO-
NOUS. psalm singing sort. I'm not 60
ing 10 give him the cold shoulder be
cause everybody else does. never
went back on a friend yet I'm not
that sortr'
"You never had a friend. Hugh"
said Harry steadily You never real
ly loved anybody or anything but
yourself You are utterly selfish You
are deliberately lying every hour you
live 10 those who love you. You are
playing a part-for your own endsl
You were only a good Imitation OF a
good fellow at college You are q
poor imitation OF man or honor
now"
Hugh rose 70 his feet as he answer
co hotly: And what are you. I'd like
70 know? Just because take my
pleasure as please. while you choose
TO make a stained glass cherub OF
yourself, Is no reason why I'm not
Just as good as you'll knew you
well enough before you set up for such
a pattern You didn't go IN much then
for a theological diet Psha VIZ he
went on. swapping his fingers toward
the well stocked bookshelves II won
der how much OF all that you real.
ly believed imagine your friends
don't cafi you Satan nowT'
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 be might have
had the money be wanted just as well
as not
There's no sense I'm US two quarrel
ing." be said hastily We've beer
friends a long time I'm sure | didn't
Intend to when ] came IN. I suppose
you're right about some things. and
probably dropping Moreau wouldn't
hurt me any I'm sorry | said all |
did Only-the money seemed such a
little thing. and IL needed 1t"
Harry stood an instant with his
hand on the knob then instead or 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
Hugh's fingers closed eagerly over
the cracking notes. 'Now. that's
white OF you after everything / said
You're a 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 / think I'll slip out the side