The Washington herald., 1912-07-07
CHAPTER X

CHAPTER X
When Harrington LETT Ardmore he
directed his steps toward the hotel
and to avoid the annoying necessity OF
again relating his troubles, kept
sharp lookout for the officer who was
searching for him. Arriving at his
destination without mishap he inquired
for Tom. whom he learned had been
assigned to room thirty-seven. and he
fastened on. :.
Upon entering the room he was smlt-
ten by an atmosphere OF gloom ana the
relative existence of greater trouble winch
seemed everhanging his companion ana
he approached with misgiving.
When aware OF his presence Tom
sprang TO his feet. He was pale and ms
features held an aspect OF solemnity,
Have YOU heard?' he asked. Does
father know" -.
"Heardl Know What do you mean :
Harrington cried in alarm.
"Drysdale-he-he is dead ION re-
piled. "Shot himself while in an uptown
hotel this afternoon. | called Blanchard
nv phone to say that we had been sud
denly called out of town--it was he VINO
told me of the suicide,
INV God-Tom, L" Harrington
strangled the next word and stood star
ing vacantly into space He remembered
Drysdale as he last saw him that morn
ing in the pit and the news OF his
death brought forcibly back to his mind
the Wild, desperate expression he had
noticed in his eyes. Finally returning ms
gaze to the other he asked: "What mas
been given out as a motive for this act''
Nothing dehnite--he left no explana-
tory letter. Financial difficulties are
limited at. but that cannot be-he was
close to the extreme and has never been
known to speculate heavily"
Harrington offered no reply, though IN
his own mind there were many reasons
for crediting the rumor.
During the remainder of the evening
few words passed between them. Jack
had outlined his aggravating experience
of the afternoon, while Tom listened to
the narration in dazed sort of way, until
finally both succumned to the atmosphere
of gloom cast upon them by this I'M
timely neurology; by the weird, suffocat-
ing thought that one of their own had
hurled himself from their midst into the
inglorious unknown.
At eight Tom left his companion and
FASTENED 10 keep the appointment with
his wife. Upon entering the familiar
Fairgrounds OF his boyhood he crept
cautiously toward the secluded meeting
place, once pausing to gaze upon the
darkened outlines of his one-time home.
He thought of the famous Ardmore week
ends at which functions he had been
Junior host then of the doors now
barred against him and in thinking so he
shivered as though a hand of ice had
gripped his heart.
Presently he passed through an opening
in the shrubbery, calling softly, and the
voice which answered from the darkness
seemed as caress upon his ears, Then
with quickened heart-beats the two young
lovers were clasped in each others arms.
They told each other of the ages that had
elapsed since parting and much more, but
let us leave them to loves tumults for
what they said concerns US not at all,
A man came from the house and walked
!, leisurely down the winding path. He
passed the silent couple unconscious OF
their presence. while they watched him
curiously. Suddenly Toms heart gave a
leap, he saw something white futter in the
darkness, then he fancied black moving
object but twenty feet away, and he
watched it steadily for some seconds un-
til finally it resolved itself into the outlines
of crouching person, presumptively hid
. ing behind the trunk OF tree.
. 6rct tbn,,obt 80 a..