El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-09-17
LORD SILK
(By Edmond Jaloux.)

vt happened towards the end of the
dinner. We were in the smoking
= room. Lord Archdale, the duke Of
Stafford, lord Adler, the Chinese min
lister and a number of other well known
people. Lord Silk performed his part
as host with the charming ease and
grace for which he had always been
side, the sound of a struggle and a
man entered, not a gentleman, but a
man. He was in evening dress; to be
sure, but it was greasy, threadbare
and fun of spots, his tie was dirty and
only half tied, and his face blOated
with dull, bleary eyes. That he had
been drinking heavily was evident from
the smell of gin that hung about him.
He went right up TO our host and bel
lowed:
Say Silk, why did you not invite me?
I am thirsty. Give me some gin"
To our surprise we saw Silk, the proud
hOughty lord Silk humble himself and
do everything to calm this evil smell
ing outcaSt He introduced Harold
Slingsby TO lord Archdale, lord Adler,
the duke of Stafford, the Chinese min
lister and all the rest of us as his old
friend, painter of great talent, though
somewhat eccentric like most geniuses,
whom he had first met in India And
slowly keeping up conversation all the
time lord Silk gradually led his dis
tingu1shed guests into the other rooms
in order to leave his eccentric friend
Slingsby alone in the smoking room
Slingsby himself noticed nothing at all,
he was drinking gin as one of US would
drink water after a long walk in the
hot sun.
When everybody had left the smok-
ing room Silk locked the door and drew
breath of relief The evening had
feeling of general uneasiness, Silk
could not conceal his nervousness and
the guests left very early.
1t was a mild, cloudy evening and
. rob md ri p
DonaVan walked homewards together,
they discussed the peculiar incident
Rather funny acquaintance Silk has
picked up in India said Archdale.
whatever else he may be- that Sings
by was certainly no gentleman. OF
course I know that Silk spent consid-
cradle time among the dregs OF hui
mainly, and suppose some of them
are rather hard to shake off When he
left here he had gambled away every
penny he had and if this Mrs. Power
had not married him after the sudden
death of her husband. he would prob
ably have starved to death"
eSs / suppose So" said Donavan.
And he did not enjoy this incident
tonight at all How perplexed he looked
when that fellow asked for ginr'
I wonder what the devil these two
have had together" unused Archdale.
After the departure of MS guests
Lord Silk entered the smoking room
His friend had not noticed anything ]
and was now in stupor Of intoxica-
LlO0. II was necessary 10 CdEIg MIN
out and put him into a taxicab, which
brought him home.
The next day Lord Silk went to Tow
er Hill. outside a dark, forbidding
looking building he stopped, looked
cautiously around and went inside. A.
ter knocking in vain at a door he
opened it and entered Slingsby's room,
a miserable, dirty and dilapidated how
el, almost without any furniture. His
friend seemed to be suffering
from the effects of his spree the night
before. his face was pale and dirty and
his hair in disorder. Today their roles
had been changed. Silk had assumed
his usual naughty manner, while
was humble.
What did you mean by making that /
scene yesterday" Silk began. Z have
forbidden you to go near my house. !
How dared you come there to annoy |
meg"
I had been drinking little.'' Sings !
by stammered, and, besides I have no |
more money"
81 thought so. I thought you came !
to blackmail me. Didn't 1 give you