The Washington times., 1913-03-23

" "OWARD 8 O'Clock in the evening,
after a day-long search through
all his accustomed haunts, En-
ber ran Whitaker to earth in the
dining room of the Primordial.
The younger man, alone at table. was
in the act of topping off an excellent
dinner with still more excellent cor
dial and a superexcellent cigar.
His person seemed to diffuse a gen.
erous atmosphere of contentment and
satisfaction, no less mental than physi-
cal, and singularly at variance with his
appearance, which, for that matter,
was singularly out of keeping with his
surroundings as well as with his normal
aspect.
He wore rough tweeds, and they were
damp and bagsy; his boots were muddy;
his hair was 4 trif1e disorderly. The
ensemble made a figure wildly incon-
gruous to the soberly splendid and
stately dining hall Of the Primordial
Club, with its sparse patronage of men,
hers in evening dress.
Ember. himself as mournfully beauti-
full in black and white as the ceremo-
NOUS livery of today permits man to
be, was wonder-struck at sight of Whit
such a time, in such a place. With
neither invitation nor salutation he
slipped into a chair on the other side
of the table and stared.
Whitaker smiled benignantly upon
him. and called a waiter.
iEmber, always abstemious, lifted his
hand and smiled a negative smile:
Without demur or even surprise Whit
aker dismissed the waiter.
''Well?" he inquired cheerfully-
What right have you got to look like
that" Ember demanded.
The right Of every free-born American
citizen to make an ass of himself ac-
cording to the dictates of his conscience.
I've been exploring the dark back
woods and abysm of the Bronx-a-foot.
Got caught in the rain on the way
home. was late getting back, and
dropped in to celebrate"
But I've been looking for you every
here since morning.
|. "I suspected you would be. That s
why went walking-to be lonesome and
thoughtful for once in a way"
Ember stroked his chin with thought
You've heard the news. then
In three ways" Whitaker returned
| with calm.
"How's that-three ways?'
BY the newspapers. the billboards
and my wife"
Ember opened his eyes wide.
You've been to see her.
"On the contrary
THE deuce you say.
She called this morning
But Ember interrupted. thrustinE a
ready but generous hand across the
table:
MY dear man, I am glad"
Whitaker took the proffercd hand
readily and firmly. Thank you. | was
saving. she called this morning to in
form me that, though welded once, We
must be strangers now-and hence
forth
But you-of cOurse-you argued that
nonsense out of her head
ITO the contra ary-again.
..Bur-my dear man.-you said you
were celcbra ting: you permitted me tt
congratulate you just now
The point is" said Whitaker with a
bland and confident grin, "I've succeed
ed In arguing that nonsense out of my
head-not hers-mine.
Embcr gave a helpless Scs ure. Il III
afraid this is one of my stupid nights -
"J mean that though Mary ran away
from me. wouldn't listen 10 reason.
have in the course IF an afternoon
hard tramping, come 10 the conclusion
that there is nothing under the sun
which binds me to sit back and accept
whatever treatment she purposes ac'
cording me by courtesy "f MAJ
Whitaker bent forwar1, his countc-
nance discovering phase OF serious
ness hitherto masked by his twisted
smile He empha sized his points with
a stiff. tapping forefnger on the cloth
II mean. I'm tired of all this poppy
cock Unless I'm IN infatuated ass,