Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-06-10
CHAPTER XIX.
Mr.. WINFIELD Calls on Mr.. Walsh.

Wayne not appearing at luncheon,
Wingfield ate alone and then watched
the street traffic from the club window
with listless interest. Across the street
rose the grimy facade of Memorial
Church. it's spires piercing the fuliginous
cloud the wind was blowing across the
city. A battery of automobiles discharg
ed a party of young people bent upon a
wedding rehearsal, and Wingfield sighed
softly as the girls f1uttered out of sight
through the church doors. Shortly after
ward he left the club and walked slowly
in the direction of the warehouse Of the
Wayne-Craighill Company Wingfield
was given to roaming and frequently
sauntered through the jobbing district.
lodging the Gathering trucks, noting the
destination of merchandise and dropping
in upon friends in their counting rooms to
exchange anecdotes and question them as
to the state Of trade.
His business this afternoon was to call
on Tom Walsh, whose silhouette he pres
emily observed at a window of the count
ing room on the second floor of the
Wayne-Craighill Mercantile Company's
establishment. A truckman bawled to
him to look out for himself as he entered
the main door. where. in small room. a
number of gentlemen were gathered about
little tables containing specimens of cof-
fee. and the agent for California can
ming factory was opening his Line" for
the enlightenment ofsthe chief buyer of
the house, person who. with his last
summers straw hat tipped over his eyes,
spent his days trying to reconcile the pic
tured peach Of the label with the fruit in
side the can. a boy, engaged with mark
ing pot and brush in decorating a soap
box with cabalistic characters. stopped
chewing gum and whistled to comrade
to give heed to the strange being who had
entered the front door and was now as
cending the counting-room steps AS Mr..
Wingfield was careful of his raiment. his
manner of gathering up the skirts of his
ulster on the stair. and the fact that he
wore spats. caused the artist and his
cOmrade to exchange signals OF derisive
delight. AS Wingfield disappeared into
the Office an inquiry as to what the old
man would do to ut was shouted across
the warehouse beneath him.
When Walsh had kicked the door shut
and offered Wingfleld cigar. he went to
a sliding window in the partition of his
den and gave orders for a few minutes to
his chief clerk on the other side; then he
returned to his desk and lighted cigar.
We'll, I'm glad you came in; I was
just thinking about you. How's Wayne?"
"All right: we spent few days in
Philadelphia and he was as good as gold.
He's been sober for nearly three months
Then he's overdue remarked Walsh.
He usually comes down with jar when
he's let it alone so long,
the clock. Your retirement from the Of
flee seems to have had stimulating eff
feet on Waynes energies. How do you
account for it,"
I'm. Maybe he wanted to see what's
inside the pot. He got me up there one
day last week and put me through a
cross-examination that gave me the head
ache / noticed that the boys in the Office
jump when he comes in now; they didn't
use to know he was there"
New stepmother doing it, asked
Wingield.
Walsh looked at the end of his cigar
carefully and smoked quietly for few
minutes before replying.
Hes deeper than that: Wayne has
game on hand. His conversion is too
sudden. He's saving up like a volcano.
He'll let go one Of these days and there
will be hill. I don't like it.
Maybe he wants to make money and
get rich suggested Wingfeld.
'.And maybe-maybe. replied Walsh.
che wants to buy air
ships so he can call on the man in the
moon. I don't know what it is, but the
signs point to trouble
Walsh took off his hat and caressed his
bald head. Then he threw up section
Of his glass cage that looked out upon
the street and babe truck driver stop
beating his horses. He dominated his
establishment like the captain of q ship,
his Office serving as a bridge. A clear
tenor voice. singing a ballad. rose from
the wareroom below. Walsh touched a
button and when the chief shipping clerk |
appeared bade him discharge the singer |
at once.
Chuck him, 1 warned him myself |
wouldn't stand for it."