Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-12-22

couldn't-1 really couldn't It's good
Of you. but Now" he broke off
abruptly. 1--WE left my accounts, what
there is OF them. with the bookkeep-
ing department, and the checks for
my sample trunks. There'll be a few
dollars coming to me on my expense
account, and I'll send ycx my address
as soon as ! get one"
But, look here"- Spaulding got to
his feet, frownlng.
mo" reiterated Duncan positively.
there's no use. I'm grateful to you
for your liberation Of me and all that,
hut we can't do anything better now
than call it all Off. Goodby. Mr.
Spaulding"
Spnulding nodded. accepting defeat
with the better grace because of an
innate conviction that 1t was Just as
well after all And. furthermore. he
admired Duncan's stand. so he offered
his hand-an unusual condescension
You'll make good somewhere yet"
he asserted.
Il wish l could believe it." Duncan's
grasp was firm since he felt more as
sured of some humanity latent in his
late employer. However. goodby"
Good luck to you" rang in bis ears
az the door put period to the inter
view. He stopped and took up the
battered suit case and rusty overcont
which he Ind loft outside the junior
partner's Office. then went on. shaking
his head Much Obliged" he said
huskily to himself. but what's the
good of that. There's no room any.
where for n professional failure. and
that's what am-iust no'or-do-weM
never realized what that meant
really before, and It's certainly taken
tue a darln' lon;, time to find out.
But know now. all right"
Despondently he wen: down TO the
sidewalk and merged himself with the
crowd. moving with 1t. though a thou
sand miles apart from il. and. presently
diverglng. struck across town toward
the Worth street subway station.
"And the worst Of 1t is he's too
sharp not to find 1t outfit he hasn't
by this tinle-and too decent by far
to let me know If he has. 1t cant so
on this way with US. can't let him.
Got to break with him somchow-now
today. | wont let him think me
what I've been all along to him. Bless
his foolish heart"
There was no depreciation of Rel
logg's goodness in his mood. simply de-
termination no longer to be charge
upon it. To contemplate the sum to-
tai Of the benefits he had received at
Keloggs hands since the day when
the latter had found him III and half
starved. friendless as struy pup, on
the bench In Washington square stag
gered his imagination
He could never repay It, he told
himself. save inadequately. little by
llttle-mostly by gratitude and such
considera ton as he purposed now to
exhibit by removing himself and his
distresses from the others ken. Here
was an end to comfort for him. an end
to living in Kelloggs rooms. eating
his food, busying his servants. spend
Ing his money, not SO much borrowed
as pressed upon him.
There crawled in his mind a clammy
memory of the sort of housing he had
known in past days. and he shuddered
inwardly. smelling again the etiluvia OF
dank ollcloth and musty carpets, Of
fshbals and fried ham. of old style
plumbing and Of 50 week humanity
IN the unwashen raw. the odOr Of mis-
ha cd nN " m
which his lack of means had intro
duced him He could see again. and
with painful vividness Of mental vi
sion. the degenerate "brownstone
fronts" that mask those haunts of
wretc hedness, with their flights OF
crumbling brownstore steps leading
up to oaEen portals haGgard with flax
Ing paint. hanked by squares OF soiled
note paper upon which inexpert hands
had traced the warning, not abandon
hope all ye who enter here" but Fur
nished rooms TO let with board"
And to this be must return. to that
treadmill round Of blighted days and
joyless nights must sci his face.
Alighting at the Grand Central sta
ton. he packed the double weight OF
his luggage and his cares few blocks
nOrthward on Madison avenue ere
turning west toward the bachelor
rooms which Kellogg had established
in the roaring Forties, Just the other
side Of the avenue-Fifth avenue.
The elevator boy. knowing him OF
old. neglected to announce his arrival
and Duncan had his own key to the
door of KelloGg's apartment. He let
himself in with futile stealth. AS was
quite right and proper, kelloggs man
Robbins was IN attendance. stupe-
fed Robbins. thundcrstruck by the IN
expected return Of his masters friend
and guest Good Lord" he cried at
sight Of Duncan. BEG your pardon
sir, but--but 1t can't be you"
Your mistake. Robbins Unfortu
nately 1t is" Duncan surrendered his
luggage. "Mr. Kellogg I'M"
mo. sir. But I'm expecting him any
minute. He'll be surprised to see you
back"
Think SO" said Duncan duly. "Iit
doesn't know me II he is
"You see. sir. we thought you was
out west"
$50 you did" Duncan moved to
ward the door Of his own bedroom
Robbins following.
ut was only yesterday posted Z
letter to you for Mr., Kellogg. sir, ant