Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1909-08-13

4
set about his packing aud dismissed
from his thoughts the incident created
by the fat adventurer and at O'Clock
or thcreahouts let himself out Of his
room. dressed for the evening. a llrht
raincoat over one arm. In the other
hand cane. tho drizzle having
ceased
n SIolid British lift carried hlm down
10 the ground door Of the establish.
ment I'm something short " i've min.
uteS. Pausing Ga the office long enough
to settle his hin and leave instructions
90 have hts luggage conveyed 60 the
boat trnm. he received with cntirc
cquanimity the ofrnblc bcncdi,tion of
the clerk, In whose eyes D. stGl fix.
urCd as that radiant creature. an
American millionaire. and passed ON to
the lobby. whore he surrendered hat.
cont and stick Co the cluAkruum at.
tcndunt ere entering the dining room.
The hour was tridc early for
London dinner. the handsome room
but moderately filled With patrons
KirllWood absorbed the fact uuCuu-
sciously and without displcasurc. The
earlier the better. ho was determined
To consume his last civilized meal (as
he chose 20 consider so at his serene
leisure. TO live fully his chbng mo-
mcuts TN The world Go which hc was
born. to drink 90 its cloymg drogs one
ultimate draft OF luxury.
with a dctcrcntiul flourish the wait
or brought him the menu card. lie
had served IN his time many an Amer
lean millionaire; he had also served
this Mr., Klrl,wood. and respected him
as one exalted above the run OF his
kind I'm that lie comprchcndcd the art
OF dining.
Fifteen minutes later the waiter de.
parted rejoicing, his order complete.
To distract conscience whispering
OF extravaganza Kirkwood lighted Il
cigarette
The room was gradually filling with
later arrivals. It was the most fu-
Vorcd restaurant I'm London. and de
spite che radiant costumes of the WON
On its atmosphere remained sedate and
rostful
\ cab clattcred down the side street
on which the window opened.
At a nearby table Il woman laughed,
quietly happy. InCurlously Klrkwood
glanced her way She was bending
forward, smiling Gathering her escort
Dlth The alteration OK her eyes They
We're lovers alone in the wilderness OF
the crowded restaurant. They seemed
very happy
Kirlywood was conscious OF strange
paug of emotion II took him some
IA
lie was alone ana lonely For the
first time h" realized that no woman
had ever looked upon him ms the wo-
man mt the adjoining table looked upon
her lover. He had found time TO wor-
ship but one mistress -hls art
And he was rcnouncing her.
lie was painfully conscious Of what
he had missed, had lost or had not yet
found the love OF woman.
The sensation was curious, new.
unique I'm his experience.
His cigarette burned down to his
fingers ms hc sat bordering Abstract
cdly me ground It's fire out I'm an ash
tray.
The waiter set before him n silver
turccn covered.
IIc sat UP and began TO consume his
SOUP. scarce doing II Justice. His
dream troubled him his dream Of the
love ~ woman.
From "A little distance his waiter re-
cnrdcd him with an air Of dlsappolnt-
mcnt In the course Of AN hour ana
hnlf hc awokc 10 discover the attend
mt iu INC net 81 pourinv very hot and
black coffee from bright silver pot
into dcml'usse of fragile porcelain
I,rllwood slipped a single lump Of
SUGAR into The cup. gave over bis cigar
cosc to br r'lod. then lcnncd back, dc.
libcr1tcy lighting long ana slender
p9uotnh as % preliminary 10 q met lin
g"1ng appreciation or tho scene Of
which hc "19 part
lie reviewed 10 through narrowed
"Nr'ldf mli'F y"i with soin' slight
'uI'rie" seeming to 500" It with new
vision, WIN eye FROM which scales "f