The Springfield herald., 1912-02-09
Bruce" said after a moment.

Bruce" l said after a moment.
He opened his eyes and looked at
me vacantly. but made no reply. In
general way l attempted to console
him. but he only shook his head In ST.
warded l finally abandoned them. Or
dering a mild decoction for myself, l
touched his glass and drank to the
hope that better times might soon be
on the wing. He emptied his glass
without reply, and sank back into his
detected posture. Five minutes later
he seemed to be half asleep. and
determined to take him bodily in
hand. Not wishing to have him seen
In that condition by any friends who
might chance to enter, shook him
into a semblance of life. Then ma
king him take my arm, assisted him
into the open air. Darkness had al
ready fallen and the. lights of the
skyscrapers were beginning to sparkle.
He lurched heavily against me. and
seeing that his condition was rapidly
becoming hopeless. l signaled a cab.
opened the door and thrust him in
side. He fell upon the seat. mutter-
ing some address to which he wished
to be taken and turned to the jehu
who was propping him up.
He will be all right in a couple of
hours. At present he is not feeling
particularly well and should be taken
care off, said significantly. The 9TH
er nodded his understanding. Then
with brief instructions for him to
handle his charge right side up with
care. l turned away a. he picked up
the reins.
formulated my own plans for the
evening. In my then state of mind,
did not care to exert myself. prefer
ing to 20 where I could sit quietly
and be entertained by others. de-
cided upon the theater. A block fur
Their on l happened across 4 banking
acquaintance. who. upon my invita-
ton, Joined me. At the end of the
performance we emerged. 1t was now
In the neighborhood Of II o'clock. and.
shaking hands, we parted for the
night.
Having thrown down my key to the
house. decided to stay downtown un-
til morning. Crossing the street. en-
tered the Pacific hotel. l knew the
clerk at the desk. and saluting him by
name. asked him to assign me to a
room a few floors up and fronting on
the alley. such a location being quiet
er in the early morning hours than a
room facing the street. He gave me
the key and a bell boy Immediately
showed me to my number.
Not being accustomed to retiring be-
fore IL. was not In the least sleepy.
Leaving the light burning. l threw
myself upon the bed as scene by scene
1 ran the flm of the events of the day
before my mental eyes. And SO deep
ly did become engrossed in this that
when l aroused myself and looked at
my watch 1t was after midnight.
arose and stood before the mirror.
searching my own face keenly, my
mind still reverting to my quarrel
with my uncle and Its probable future
consequences. While did not imag-
Inc that in his present state of mind
he would be particularly concerned as
to where was, l resolved to call him
up and advise him Of my whereabouts.
| II ulu uOL btcA tAdl II COulu W any
harm. and undoubtedly 1t was good
policy to try and conciliate him now
that we had given full vent to our
spleen. Going to the wall telephone,
asked for his number. and moment
later heard his querulous voice over
the wire as he demanded to know who
1t was that called him at that
hour. l answered him with the quiet
ness I always strove to employ ex-
cept upon rare occasions when l for
the moment lost command of myself.
1 wished him we'll and told him where
was and that had decided to re-
main downtown for the night. His
answering sentences exploded in my
ear like distant firecrackers.
That's right. Just like you. Spend
ing your money for hotel bills when
you have a better bed at home. And
suppose you will pay those pirates
dollar for your breakfast. All right,