The Washington times., 1913-06-10

One by one he read them through with
feverish interest, and when he set them
| down he laughed softly to himself
There was not one Of them which DID
Guest on the Midland Express and re-
fer to him as the person wanted for the
Feldwick murder.
So he was safe after all.
The press had made 1t clearer than
ever. Douglas Guest was dead. Hence
forth he need have no fear.
He moved to the tables where the re-
views and magazines were, and spent a
pleasant hour or two among them. He
planned out new story. saw his way
novel. thought OF an epigram. and
walked out into the street a few min
utes before one with something Of the
old exhilaration OF spirits dancing
through his veins. His condition Of ab-
solute poverty had not yet lost the fia-
vor of novelty.
He even laughed as he realized that
again he was hungry and must rely
upon chance for a meal. This time there
was no fat ,confectioner to play the
passed a pawnbroker's shop, and with
little cry of triumph he dragged a
lat, yellow-faced silver watch from his
pocket and stepped blithely inside. He
found 1t valued at much less than he
had expected, but he attempted no bar
gaining.
He walked out again into the street.
a man Of means There were silver
coins in his pocket-enough to last him
for couple of days at least 1t was
unexpected fortune.
He bought some tobacco and cigar
ette papers and rolled himself a cigar
cite. Then he stepped out in the direc-
ton of the Strand, where he imagined
the restaurants mostly lay. He passed
st. James Palace. up st. James street
and into Piccadilly. For a while he
forgot his hunger. There was SO much
that was marvellous. so much to admire.
Burlington House was pointed out by
a friendly policeman; he passed into the
feeding and looked around him with
admiration which was tempered almost
with awe. On his way out he again
addressed the policeman.
Il want to have some lunch some,
where" he said. Il can only spend
about two shillings, and i want the
best ] can get for the money. 1 Won
der whether you could direct me-"
The policeman smiled.
There's only one place for you. sir
he said, ''and it's lucky as / can direct
you there. You go to Spargetti's in Old
heard that there's no West-End place
to touch it-and they do the whole lot
for two bob, including quarter flask of
wine I've a brother-in-law as keeps
the books there. and / have II from
him, sir, that there amt such value
for money in the whole country And
there's this about 1t, SIR" he added con-
you can eat what's set be-
fore you. 1t amt like some of these
nasty. low. foreign eating 'ouses where
you daren't touch rabbit. and the soup
don't seem canny. There's plenty like
that. but not spargetti's. You're all
right there. sir"
Douglas went off, fortified with many
directions. and laughing heartily. He
found Spargetti's and seated himself at
a tiny table in a long. low room. blue
with cigarette smoke. They
brought him such luncheon as he had
never eaten before. Grated macaroni
in his soup, watercress and oil with his
chicken, a curious salad and wonder
ful cheese. Around him was the con-
stant hum of gay conversation Every
one save himself seemed to have friends
here. and many of them.
1t was indeed very ordinary place.
a cosmopolitan eating-house, good of its
sort, and with an excellent connection
Of light-hearted but impecunious for
who made up with the lightness
Of their spirits for the emptiness of
their purses. To Douglas. whose whole
upbringing and subsequent life had been
among the dreariest of surroundings. |
there was something about it all pc
culiarly fascinating.
The air of pleasant abandonment, the |
subtle aroma of gaiety allied with ir.
the strange food and |
wine well cooked and stimulating, de- |
lighted him. His sole desire now was |
FOR a companion. IL only those men
artists he was sure they were-would |
draw him into their conversation. He |
had plenty to say. He was ready to be |
as merry as any of them.
A faint sense of loneliness as depress- |
ed him for a moment as he looked from |
1ne to another of the long tables. All |
mis- life he had been as one removed !
from his fellows. He was weary of it. |
Surely II must be nearly at an end now. |
Some of the children of the great moth |
pr city would hold out their hands to |
him. 1t was not aims he needed. 1t was |
4 friend.
Good morning"
Douglas looked up quickly. A new
conner had taken the vacant place at !
MS table.
Continuation Of This Story Will ]
ne Eouud In Torr.0 rrovxss