The Washington times., 1913-06-11
CHAPTER VIII.
The Author of "No Mans Land"

II ~
/ cordially. His vis-a-vis drew
the menu toward him and
studied it with interest. Setting
1t down he screwed a single eyeglass
into his eye and beamed over at Doug
las.
rs the daily grind o. K.?" he in
quired suavely.
Douglas was disconnected at being
unable to answer a question SO pleas
antly asked.
"I-beg your pardon" he said, doubt
fully. I'm afraid 1 don't quite under
stand"
The newcomer waved his hand to
some acquaintance and smiled cheer
fully.
Il see you're a stranger here" he re-
marked. There's a table d'hote lunch
con for the modest sum of Is pence,
which is the cheapest way to feed, If
it's decent Some times 1t is, sometimes
1t isn't I thought perhaps you might
have sampled it,
Il believe 1 have" Douglas answered.
Il told the waiter to bring me the Or
dinary lunch. and thought 1t was very
good, indeed"
Then 1 will risk ii. Henrir'
He gave few orders to the waiter,
who treated him with much respect.
Then he turned again to Douglas
You have nearly finished he said.
Please don't hurry. j hate to eat
alone. II is whim of mine. II 1 eat
alone / read, and IL read get dys-
pepsia. Try. the oat biscuits and the
Camembert"
Douglas did as the newcomer had
suggested.
IT, 4.
nothing to do, nor anywhere to co.
Lucky mani
You speak as though that were un-
usual Douglas laughed. but I was
just thinking that every one here SEEM
ed to be in the same state. Some one
told me that London was a city of sad
ness. Who could watch the people
around here and yet say so?''
The newcomer screwed his eyeglass
and looked deliberately round the room.
Well" he said. this is resort Of
the poor, and the poor are seldom sad.
carry the burdens of wealth and the
obligation of position, who have earned
for us the reproach of dullness. He;e
we arc on the threshold of Bohemia.
Long life and health to it,
He drank a glass II Chianti with the
air of connoisseur tasting some rare
vintage.
Douglas laughed softly.
IF the people here are poor" he said,
what about me? 1 pawned my watch
because had had nothing to eat since
yesterday"
His new friend sighed and stuck mis-
fork into an olive.
What affluencer' he sighed medita-
lively. II have not possessed a watch
for a year. and I've only ninepence in
my pocket They give me tick here.
Foolish Spargettt. Long may their con-
fidence last"'
A companion in impecuniosity. Doug
las looked at his neat clothes and The
flower in his buttonhole and wondered.
But you have the means of making
money IL you care to-"
Have II" The eye-glass was care
fully removed, the small wizened face
assumed a lugubrious aspect. MY
friend" he said. in a measure Il is
true-but such small measure. A cold
blooded and unappreciative editor ap-
prises my services at the miserable sum
of three pounds a week. I have heard
of people who have lived upon that
sum. but / must confess that 1 never
met one"
You are a writer, then?" Douglas
exclaimed eagerly.
Il am a sort of hack upon the staff of
scraps of work as you would bones to a
corner of the office and throw Inc
scraps of workas you would bones TO a
dog II is not dignified. but one must
eat and drink-not to mention smoking.
Permit me, by the bye, to offer you a
cigarette and to recommend the cof-
fee. I taught Spargetti how to make it
myself
cheeks. The Ibex, What a coincidence!
You are really on the staff of the
1bex?" he exclaimed.
The other nodded.
II hold exactly the position" he said.
that ] have described to YOU. Ny
irnnraSSinn lS af xritb no
1bex would not exist a month. Tha.
is where the editor and / differ. unfor-
tunately."
1T seems 20 odd" Douglas SAID
Some time ago ] s"nt story TO the
Ibex. and II was accepted. I have been
looking for IL to appear every week"
The shrewd little eyes twinkled into
his
What was the title?"
." No Mans Land Douglas lesson
was the name"
The newcomer filed Douglas glass
with Chianti from his own modest
flask.
Waiter" he said, bring more wine.
drink together. / remember your
story. for l put the blue chalk on il
myself and took ii up to Drexley IT
is meeting, this. and we must cele-
used next week"
Douglas eyes were bright and his
cheeks were flushed. The flavor Of
living was sweet upon his palate
ago, had gone skulking in the sha-
dows. looking out upon life with ter
rified eyes, tempted even to self-de-
struction, suddenly in touch once
TO him. realizing for the first time
some of the dreams which had filled
his brain in those long. sleepless
nights upon the hilltop.
lA.- - Il I(<I
tune had commenced at last to smile
You are on a visit hereT his new
friend asked, "or have you come TO
London for good?'
For good. ! trust" Douglas answer
ed, smiling. for / have burned my
boats behind me"