The Washington herald., 1911-02-12
CHAPTER XXXV.

" AYLIGHT awoke with the familiar parched
mouth and lips and throat, took long drink
| of water from the pitcher beside his bed and
- gathered up the train of thought where he
had left it the night before He reviewed the ease
nent of the financial strain. Things were mending
at last While the going still rough the great
est dangers already past As he had told Hogan,
a tight rein and careful playing all that
needed now. Flurries and dangers were bound to
come but not so grave the ones they had already
weathered. He had been hit hard but he was
ing through without broken bones, which
than Simon Dolliver and many another could say.
And not one of his business friends had been ruined
He had compelled them to stay in line to save him.
self and they had been saved well.
His mind moved on to the incident at the corner
of the bar of the Parthenon when the young athlete
had turned his hand down. He longer
stunned by the event. but he was shocked and grieved
as only strong man can be, at this passing Of his
strength And the issue clear for him 10
dodge, even with himself. He knew why his hand
had gone down Not because he old man.
He was just in the first flush of his prime and
by right it was the hand of the hammer thrower
which should have gone down. Daylight knew that
he had taken liberties with himself. He had always
looked upon this strength Of his permanent, and
here for years had been steadily Oozing from him.
As he had diagnosed it, he had come in from under
the stars to roost in the cOops of cities. He had
almost forgotten how to walk. He had lifted up his
feet and been ridden around in automobiles, cabs
and carriages. and electric cars. He had not
csed and he had dry rOtted his muscles with alcohol
And was it worth it? What did all his money
mean. after all? Dede right 1t could buy him
no more than one bed at time, and at the time
it made him abjectest of slaves 1t tied him fast
He was tied by it right now. Even If he so desired
he could lie abed this very day. His money called
him. The Office whistle would blow, and be
must answer it The early sunshine was streaming
through his wndow-a fine day for ride in the hills
on Bob with Dede beside him her Nab Yet all
his millions could not buy him this day. One of
those furries might come along, and he had to be
on the spot to meet it. Thirty millions! And they
were powerless to persuade Dede to ride on Nab
Nab, whom he had bought and who was unused and
growing fat in pasture What were thirty millions
when they could not buy ride with the girl
he loved? Thirty millions-that made him come here
and go there. that rode upon him like so many mill
stones that destroyed him while they grew, that put
their foot down and prevented him from winning this
girl who worked for ninety dollars a month.
Which was better? he asked himself All this was
Dede's thought 1t what she had meant
when she prayed that he might go broke. He held
up his offending right 1t wasn't the same old
arm OF course she could not love that arm and that
body she had loved the strong clean and body
Of years before. He didn't like that arm and body
himself young whppersnapper had been able to
take liberties With it. 1t had gone back on him. He
sat up suddenly. No, by God. he had gone back on
1t! He had gone back on himself He had gone back
ON Dede. She was right, thousand times right and
she had sense enough to it. enough to re-
fuse to marry a money slave with whiskey rotted
carcass
He got out Of bed and looked at himself in the long
mirror on the wardrobe door. He wasn't pretty.
The odnme lean cheeks were gone. These were
heavy. seeming to hang down by their own weight