Putnam patriot., 1910-10-28
CHAPTER II.

this attempt of bis to escape Kei-
 logg-Duncan acknowledged 1t
 when. his packing rudely finish ed. be started for the door. Robbins re luctantly sureAdering the suit case after exhausting his repertory of de- vices to delay the young man. But at that instant the elevator gate claahed in the outer corridor and Keiiorg's key rattled in the lock. to an accom- panying confusion of voices. all mas- culine and all very cheerful.
 Duncan sighed and motioned Rob- bins away with his luggage. No hope now" he told himself "But-o Lorde'
 Inconfinently there burst into the room four men-Jim Long. Larry Mil- Ter. another whom Duncan did not im- mediately recognize and Kellogg him. self-bringing with them an atmos- phere breezy with jubilation. Before be knew il Duncan was boisterousiy over whelmed. He got his breath to find Kellogg pumping his hand
 Nat" he was saying. you're the only other man on earth l was wish ing could be with me tonight. Now my happiness Is complete Cad. this is lucky"
 You think so?" countered Duncan. forcing smile Hello. you boys." He gave hand to Long and Miller. How're you all?" He warmed 10 their friendly faces and unfeigned wei come. My. but it's good to see your There was relief in the fact that Kel- logg. after single glance, forebore to question his return; he was to be counted upon for tact. was Kellogg. Now he strangled surprise by turning to the fourth member of the party.
 Nat" he said. II want you to meet MT. Bartlett. Mir. Bartlett. MT. Dun- can"
 A wholesome smile dawned on Dun- cans face as he encountered the blank blue stare of a young man whose very smooth and very bright red face was admirably set off by semi-evening dress. Great Scottw be cried. warm ly pressing the lackadaisieal hand that drifted into his. Willy Bartlett after all these yearsF'
 A sudden animation replaced the vacuous stare of the blue eyes. Dun canw he stammered. T say. this is rippin'r'
 "As bad as that?" Duncan essayed an accent almost English and nodded his appreciation of il. something which Bartlett missed completely.
 He was very young-a very great deal younger. Duncan thought than when they had been classmates, what time Duncan shared his rooms with Kellogg. very much younger and suf- fering exquisitely from oversophisti- cation His drawl barely escaped be- ing inimitable. His air did not escape it. "Smitten with my old trouble Duncan appraised him-"too much money. Heaven knows l hope he nev- CT recoyers"
 As for Willy. he was momentarily more nearly human than he had seem ed from the moment of his first ap- lpearance. You know" he blurted. this is simply extraordinary. 1 say. you chaps. Duncan and haven't met for years. not since he graduated. We belong to the same frat. you know, and had a jolly time of it. if he was an upper class man. No side about him at all. y know. absolutely none whatever. Whenever had to go out on a spree I'd always get Nat to show me round"
 ..I was pretty good at that" Duncan admitted. a trife ruefuily.
 But Willy rattled on needless. He knew more pretty gels, y know. say. old chap. dyou know as many now
 Duncan shook his head. "Ihe list has shrunk. I'm a changed man. VII ly."
 low. say. you're ehawfin-' Wiliy argued incredulously. Il don't believe that. Y, know. hardly. l say. you re- member the night you showed me how to play faro bankg'
 .I'Il never forget it." Duncan told him gravely. And l remember what . plug we thought my roommate was because he wouldn't come with us. He nodded significantly toward the amused Kellogg.
 Not himrs cried Willy. expostuianI sNot really? Why. 1t cawn't Der!
 .Fact." Duncan assured him. "He was working his way through college. you see. whereas 1 was working my way through my allowance and then some. That's why you never met him. Willy. he worked and got tne habit. We loafed with the same re suIt That's why he's useful ano you're ornamental and Fm"- He broke oR in surprise. .HelIo." be said as Robbins offered tray to the three on which were slim stemmed giasses 6Iled with . pale yellow enervescent housd. -why the blond waters or ex- cifement. pIeasey' he inquired. accept- ing . glass
 From across the room Larry AiIlers vojre rounded -Are you ready. gen- clement Wen drink to him hrsI ana then he can drink 10 his royal hffi~ eelf. To the boy whos Eerffns o1 ID the world. To the junior Demo9 of IL ,. Bartlest q Co-r
 Lcax spplauded Iosd1y. -Hsar. eeaf! and even willy Bartiett ehiDsd = v,th m unemotiooal -Goo1 wses! Ne~hanlraily Dunean d1wnsd see epass Keiloeg wss the esly oen nse dri.k,ne is aaA ffoo that fbs nssning was easily c be nseHs4 W