The San Francisco call., 1910-04-24

HE slamming of the outer door to his apart
ments tiny shock through Carter, and
! he frowned unpleasantly. He had been aware
of late that trihes played upon his nerves like
the jagged edge OF clumsy weapon. He promised
himself an interview with Hopkins that should
impress that obsequous funconary into catle regard
for the quiet essential to his master.
AS he sat forward in his chair Hopkins drew back
the hall curtains, but the outburst that the Virginian
had prepared did not come. Hopkins, standing In
respectful attitude, his silver card salver poised at
the proper angle, suddenly thrust asidetwithout
ceremony, and smiling, debonair little figure swsg-
gered past him into the room.
Thousand pardons, Carteret, my. good chap but
I never wait upon ceremony when calling upon a
friend y know"
Carter did not appear to be overwhelmed with
enthusiasm at the implied honor. He, rose, however
waved Hopkins away and shook hands with gesture
that, while not perfunctory, far from indicating
any warm regard for his visitor
How are you, Detray1 What on earth brought
you here?"
The other laughed First of all, Pm dry Any
thing interesting in that cabinet over there? If So
why not?" He had actually started to open the
liquor closet himself. Carter, restraining his exas-
peration with considerable difficulty, hastened to
forestau him, and his visitor subsded with brandy
and soda and his brazen smile into the corner of
divan
There were very few persons from whom Carter
would have taken such behavior at that particular
time, but there very excellent reasons why he
should overlook it coming from this one. Reggie
Detray among the most powerful as he was
easily the best hated man in New York society
There was nothing in Detrays appearance as he sat
the dIyan nursing his glass of sparkling amber to
suggest the redOubtabe. His beardless face was as
innocent the dew fresh rose without the trace of
Interior thought. But Carter knew as many
another had TO- that Detrays reason for being
Was the pain and the unhappiness and the torment
al Others knew that behind this mask of an idle boy
a brain worthy of a grand inquisitor, restless,
steel keen and evil. The coming of Detray at such
a moment chilled him. The man had never visited
him before, had never more than recognized him.
HIS DEFENSE RALLIES
The Virginian conscious that he could not bring to
the the strength and force that had once been
his and that the last few months had sapped from
him, prepared to meet the ordeal under a reserve of
dOgged mpassiveness. 1t his best defense and
now his only one
Looking rather seedy. old chap" giggled Detray
Find the going pretty rough?"
I'm quite well, thanks" answered Carter restrain
edly
Rafting clever quarters you've got here. 'pon nv
word. No end of dash" Detray leaned forward and
placed his empty glass upon table. Haven't seen
you at the Wampum lately. Heard some wise fellow
saying you bit under the weather"
Its very kind OF you to look in, said Carter "but
I'm quite fit"
Detray laughed queer little laugh with a Jig saw
note, apparently inspired thereto by Carters hollow
tone. We'll, it's good to hear you say So"
Carter could see end to this badinage and with
total absence Of the inesse upon which he had
Prided himself tried hurry the game What is it
Reggie? he asked defantly Whats the use of STALL
ing around? You haven't come here to condoIe with
me about a mortified toe or the state of nv health
Now, fire ahead"
Detray became suddenly very solemn, innocently
solemn, like youthful owl. "As matter of fact
did have purpose, Carteret often think this is
rotten world we live in, absolutely not worth the
time we give it. But in spite of the truism that a
decent action IS altogether questionable nvari-
ably make 1t a custom to break the rule whenever
have the chance"
sort Of don't rap atttude?" suggested Car
ter, who beginning find an unsuspected
resource OF temper. Detray waved the interruption
aside like who is to be deferred
Don't misunderstood me" he said, with an injured
ar i never break in with my advice if there is
no call But when / see situation that demands
quite demands helping hand why l sometimes
venture to offer it" Carter nodded acknowledgment
TO the slave Of duty with grimace
"Of course" continued Detray, smoothing his
gloves deicately his knee "the cause of most of
our woes is bitter tongue. People will talk" He
sighed over the contemplation of the indicated
dcpravity.
is this an essay platitudes?' inquired the vir-
ginian shifting in his chair. A flash like leap of