The Washington times., 1913-06-20

I yet to his mind creatures of some other
world
He sank into an empty seat and
| watched them with lack-fuster eyes.
Why had this thing come to him. he
wondered, of all men? He was middle
aged, unimaginative. shrewd and we'll
| balanced in his whole outlook upon life
| Three years ago no man in the world
would have appeared less likely 20 be-
| come the wreck he now felt himself
three years ago he had met Emily de
Reuss
With certain fierce eagerness he set
himself to face his position Surely, he
was still 4 man? Escape must lie some
way
Then he laughed softly and bitterly to
] himself. Yes, there was escape-escape
| through the small blue hole IN the fore
head, which more than once he had
! pictured to himself lately with horrid
reality when lingering his revolver-es-
cape in the arms of the sea which he
still loved, for in his day he had been
a mighty swimmer.
There was no other means save such
as these ons ago he had wearied OF
! asking himself what manner of woman
this was, whose lips he had never
touched, yet whose allurements seemed
to have that touch Of wonderful magic
which ever postpones, never forbids. He
only knew that she was to him as she
was to those others-only with him the
struggle was fiercer. There were times:
as now. when his love seemed turned
to fury.
She seemed to him then like some
beautiful but unclean animal who fed
upon the souls Of men. He burned TO
seized her in his arms. to cover her face
fingers G 0t around round that delicate white
throat until the music Of her death. I.
cry should set him free forever. But
when his thoughts led him hitherward a
cold fear give him strength to break
away-for with them came the singing
in his ears, the lights before his eyes,
the airiness Of heart and laughter which
go before madness.
He sprang to his feet. steadied himself
for a moment and walked rapidly on
ward The momentary exhilaration
died slowly away-the old depression
settled down upon his spirits. Yet.
when he reached the club ne was
breathless. and the hand which rgnted
a cigar in the hall shook.
On the stairs he met an acquaintance.
Going to dine. Drexley?
T mo, i don't think So" he answered
blankly. do you know II lesson Is In
the club?"
Haven't seen him. Come and have
drink You look a bit shaky."
Drexley shook his head. He wanted
to drink, but not with any fhougnts OF
good fellowship in his heart His was a
fiercer desire-the craving for mad blood
quiet corner In the reading room and
rang for some brandy.
Meanwhile DouglR5 came blithely
down the Strand. a smile upon his lips,
a crowd Of pleasant thoughts in his
brain. To think that little Cicely
should have grown so pretty! How
pleased she had been to see him. AMI
how she had enjoyed their little dinner.
Next week would be something to look
forward to. He would look out some
- -nrrld Nva
terest her After all, II had been she
who had been the first person In the
world to say word Of encouragement
to him.
In the hall of the club some one
shouted that Drexley had been inquirinS
for him. He ordered some coffee md
made his way up into the writing room. !
Drexley was there waiting. his head
dropped upon his folded arms. He
looked up as Douglas entered.