The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-03-06
CHAPTER u.
(Continued.)
waiting for what >"

VI me, sdlu otusWlck, Win a lTOWn,
for he was In no mood TO welcome
strange visitors.
ITO return To my theory OF self-de.
fense," said the other imperturbably.
My wall exercise serves to keep linn
1 Der and active certain muscles that
4 In the average man are half atrophied.
\ You are familiar with the ostrich"
with his proverbial methods of
obfuscation," replied Sedgwick.
The other smiled. That, again, Is
escape or attempted escape. My
reference was to other characters
tics. However, l shall demonstrate
He rose on one foot with an ease that
made the artist stare. descended,
selected from the roadway stone OF
ordinary cobble size, and handed ii
TO Sedgwick.
LET that lie on the palm OF your
hand" said he, "and hold it out,
J waist high"
As he spoke he was standing two
feet from the other, to his right. Sedg-
wick did as he was requested. AS
his hand took position, there was a
twist Of the bearded mans 1.-the body.
4 sharp click, and the stone. flying
In q rising curve, swished through
the LEAKAGE Of a lilac 30 feet away.
How did you do that?' cried the
artist.
The other showed a slight indenta-
ton on the inside OF his right boot
heel, and then swung his right foot
slowly and steadily up behind his
left knee, and let 1t lapse into pos
ton again. AT shoulder height he
explained, Il could have done the
same; but 1t would have broken your
hand"
Il see," said the other, adding With
distaste, "bHt to kick an opponent
Why, even as boy ! was taught
I'VE were not speaking OF child's
play" said the visitor coolly: nor am
concerned with the rules OF the
prize-ring, as applied TO my theory
When one Is in danger, one uses knife
or gun, IL at hand. | prefer less
deadly and more effective weapon.
kicking sidewise, either TO the front
or to the rear, can disarm a man.
break his leg, or lay him senseless.
1t is the special development OF such
muscles as the sartorius and plan
taris," he ran his long fingers down
from the outside of his thigh round
to the inside OF his ankle, that en-
ables a human being, with practice,
to kick like an ostrich. Since you
found me exercising on your property,
j I owe youths explanation. hope
you won't prosecute for trespass, Mr..
ng-Lean-Leggy Sedgwick"
"Leggy'' The artist had whirled
at the name - Nobody's called me
that for 10 years. 20
Just 10 years ago ttat your gradu-
ated, WASN'T ity' - - = =. !.
"Yes. Then l knew you in college.
You must have been before my class.
The bearded one nodded. Senior
\ to your freshman said he.
The younger man scrntinized him.
chester Kent, said he softly. What
on earth are you doing behind that
bush?"
Kent caressoi the maligned whisk-
ers. Utility" he explained. Patent,
impenetrable mosquito screen. I've
been of in the wilds and amor was
going back presently
mot until you've stopped long
enough to get reacQuainted." declared
Sedgwick. Just at present you're
\ going to stay to dinner
Very good. Just now you happen
i to be in my immediate line OF inter.
est. It Is q fortunate circumstance
for me, to find you here; possibly for
you, too"
i Most assuredly," returned the
i other with heartiness. Come in on
the porch and have a hammock and
pipe"
Old interests sprang to life and
speech between them. And from the
i old interests blossomed the old easy
familiarity that Is never wholly lost
TO those who have been close friends
In college days. Presently Francis
Sedgwick was telling his friend the
story OF his feverish and thwarted Az
years In the world. Within a year OF
his graduation his only surviving re-
i latfve had died, willing to him q con-
siderable fortune. the income OF
which he used In furtherance OF O
hitherto suppressed ambition to study
art. Paris, his Mecca, was frst q
ktaak-mistress. then q temptress. hnat
KY q vampire. Before succumbing ne
had gone far, In few years, toward
kths development OF q curious tech
Unique Of his own. Followed then two
years Of dissipation, year OF travel
ito recuperate, and the return to Paris,
which was to be once more the task
mistress. But, to his terror and SELF.
loathing. he found the power OF ap-
tpiication gone. The muscles Of his
kmind had become fiabby. He quoted
to Kent, with bitterness, the terrible
tdnai lines of Rosettis known In
tvatns
8 When Work and VIII awake too
Ef late, to gaze
After their life sailed by. and hold
their breath
Al! who shall dare 10 search through
what sad maze
Thenceforth their incommunicable
ways
Follow the desultory feet OF
Death
When Work and Will awake too
late.' repeated Kent. But is ii too
late In your case? Surely not, since
you're here. and at your task
But think OF the waste man. Yet
8 here ] am, as you say. and still able
to night. All by virtue or woman's
laugh: the laugh ofNa woman without
virtue. II was at the Moulin &c Ia
1alette- perhaps you know the dance
nall on the slope OF Northumberland
sne was one OF the dancers. the
u wreck OF what had once been beauty
aho one must suppose, innocence
f Probably she thought me too much
absinthesoaked to hear or under.
stand, as sat halt asleep Al INV
VI fQblo- AT All ovo,t..,.- - = ''s