The Washington times., 1913-06-18

OF the Strand. Rice, aided by few
friends, and also by Douglas own
growing reputation, secured his admis-
sion into the same Bohemian club to
which he and Drexley belonged.
For the first time Douglas began to
meet those who were, strictly speaking.
his fellows, and the wonderful good
comradeship of his newly-adopted pro-
fession was thing gradually revealed
to him. He made MANY friends. studied
! hard and did some brilliant work. He
abandoned, upon calmer reflection. the
idea Of going abroad, and was given to
understand that his position on the
Courier might be a permanency.
He saw his future gradually defined
in clearer colors-it became obvious to
him that his days Of struggling were
past and over. He had won his place
had been tried and proved. ONLY there
was always at the bottom of his heart
a secret dread. 4 shadowy terror. nost
often present when he found himself
alone with Rice or Emily de Reuss. 1t
seemed to him that their eyes were per-
petually questioning him. and there
was one subject which both religiously
and fearfully avoided.
He was popular enough among the
jovial, light-hearted circle Of his fellow
workers and club companions. yet he
himself was scarcely Of their DISPOSE
ton. His attitude toward life was still
serious, he carried always with him
some suggestions Of past which must
thing. His sence of humor was unlim-
ited-in repartee he easily held his own.
He was agreeable to everybody. but he
never sought acquaintance and avoid
averse to any mention of his earlier
days.
Speedwell. sub-editor of the Minute,
buttcnholed him one day at the club.
and led him into corner.
You are the very man l wanted to
see. lesson" he exclaimed. Have a
drink
II nave just dined. thanks." Douglas
answered What can / do for your"
I'm giving some space In my rag
ries OF memoirs on prominent Journal
lists of the day. and 1 want to include
you.'
I'm sure you're very kind" Douglas
answered, but you can't be in earnest.
To begin with, I'm not prominent
journalist, and I don't suppose I ever
shall be"
well, you're a bit of miracle. you
know" Speedwell Interrupted "You've
come to the, front so quickly, and you've
nervous style. you know. with lots of
color and dashes / wish I'd a man on
the staff who could DO it. Still, that's
neither here nor there. and you needn't
think I'm limiting. for tell you frankly
the Minute can't afford larse-saiaried
men.
What I want from you is a photo
graph and Just a little sketch OF YOUR
early life-where yon were born and
where you went to school. and that sort
of thing, 1t mayn't do you :nuch good.
but II can't do you any harm. and I'll
be awfully obliged"
Douglas was silent for a moment. The
whole panorama of that joyless youth
OF his seemed suddenly stretched out
before him. He saw himself as boy. and
youth, and man; the village school
changed into the sectarian university.
where the great hish-road to knowledge
was rank with the weeds OF prejudice. |
He saw himself back again at the farm
of that discomfort which had
eliminated in tragedy. He was sud- |
denly white almost to the lips mist
seemed 20 hang about the room, and tie
cheerful voices of the men playing pool
came to him like a dirge from the far
distance. Speedwell. waiting In vain for
his answer, looked at him in surprise.
Aren't you well, old chap" he |
asked. You look as though you'd seen
a ghost
Douglas pulled himself together with
an effort.
I'm not quite the thing he said. |
Late last night. I suppose. I'm sure
it's very good Of you to think Of me.
but I'd rather you left me |
out"
Why"
You see. I'm really only novice
quite a beginner. and don't feel I've
the right to be included"
That" Speedwell answered, 'is our
business. You didn't come to us-I
came to you. All you have to do is to
answer a few questions and let me have
that photo
Douglas shook bis head.
You must please excuse me. Speed
Well" he said ITS very kind Of you.
bur TO tell the truth. there are certain
painfuI Incidents IN connections with my
life before I came to London which
am anxious to forget. I do not choose
to have a past at ALL"
4 Confirmation Of This story VIII
Be Found In TOmOrrOw's
Issue of The Times.