The Washington times., 1913-02-11

CHAPTER U.-(Continued.l

CdAFIEk u.-(Contlnueo-)
TT happened that the page who had
taken Whitakers order, know
u ing that Peter and Hugh were
close friends and suspecting that
something was wrong with the latter,
had sought out Peter before going 10
get the order rlled.
Moreover. Peter had already heard
ABOUT Alice Carstairs and Percy Gr.-n-
shaw
Hal-lo!' he said, contrivins by sheer
accident to catch sight of Whitaker,
who was almost invisible in the big
chair, with its back to the body of he
room.
What You doing up here, Hugh?
What's up?"
Its ali up said Whitaker, trying to
pull himself together. Everything $
up!''
Don't believe it." said Stark coolIy
My feet are on the ground: but sou
look as II you'd seen ghost
Il have-my own said Whitaker.
The page now stood beside him with
9 tray.
half bottle of champa gne. and then
TO Peter: I'm having bath. Won't
you jump in?''
Peter whistled, watching the wine
cream over the brandy in the long
glass.
King pes. en-! ne Salu, with a lit
. of disapproving eyebrows.
Here, boy, bring me some Scotch
and plain water for common people
The boy disappeared as Whitaker lift
ed his glass
I'm not waiting" he said bluntly. Il
need this now"
That's a question in my mind, at
least Don't you think you've had
about enough for one day.
. leave III to SIIDpriOr knowledge
of my capacity" said Whitaker, putting
aside the empty glass. That's the first
today"
Peter saw he was telling the truth,
but the edge of his disapproval re-
mained keen.
II hope" he said. thoughtfuIIy, that
the man who started that lie about
drink making a fellow forget died tie
death of a dog. He deserved to, arJ-
way, because it's one of the cruelest
practical jokes ever perpetrated on the
human race.
II know. because I've tried it On,
hard-and walked up sick to my marrow
10 remember what a disgusting ass I'd
made of myself for all to behold
He stopped at Whtakers side and
dropped a hand on his shoulder.
Hugh" he said. you're one of the
best, Don't
Whatever he had meant to say he left
unfinished because of the return of the
enough to let Whitaker understand that
he knew about the Carstairs affair.
That's all right said Whitaker.
I'm not going to make fool of my
self, but ! am in a pretty bad way.
Boy
Hold on Peter interrupted. You're
not going TO ord er another? What
you've had is enough to galvanize a
corpse
few minutes or months, that's me- re-
turned Whitaker. But never mind,
boy-run along
.'Td like to know what you mean by
that" Peter remarked obviously wor-
ried.
Il mean that I'm practically Il dead
man-so near it that it makes no diff
ference
The deuce you say: What's the mat
ter with you?"
Ask Greyerson. can't remember
the name-its too long-and i couldn't
pronounce IL if / did"
What foolishness has Greyerson been
putting into your head?' he demanded.
1--WE a good mind to go punch his
It's not his fault" Whitaker assert
ed. Its my own-or rather. it's some
thing in the nature Of a posthumous
Gift from my progenitors; several of
'em died Of it, and now II seems I must
"Greyerson says so, at least, and
when ] didn't believe him he called in
Hartt ana Bushnell to hold my ante
mortem They made it unanimous; IL
I'm uncommonly lucky I may live to
nee next Thanksgiving"
"Oh shut up Peter exploded vicious
,y. "You make me tired-you and your
bone headed n. D.'s!'
He worked himself into a comforting
rage, damning the medical fraternity
lfberally for gang of blood-thirsty as
eassins, and threatening to commit as
sault and battery upon the person of
0reyerson, though Whitaker did his |
best to make him understand that mat |
m we've what they wsrs-irrsdssm. |