The Washington times., 1913-06-17

rs your name really Douglas Jesson-
or Is il Douglas Guest?"
Douglas gasped, and clutched Tor a
moment at the tablecloth. The room
was suddenly spinning round and round !:
the faces of the people were shrouded
in mist; his newly acquired strength
was all engrossed In desperate strug-
gle against that sickening sensation OF
fainting. Rice's voice seemed to come
to him from long way on.
Drink your wine, man-Quick.
Mechanically he obeyed. He set the
glass down empty. Once more the faces
in the restaurant were clear, the mists
had passed away. But the keen JOY OF
living no longer throbbed in his pulses
How did. you know he asked
Prom the story you sent US. Rice
answered. AT first you wrote on the
title-page Douglas Guest as the author.
Then apparently you changed your mind.
lesson. which we took to be. a
nom de plume especially as you gave US
for your address initials to postofhce.
Did anyone else see Ii.
Not unless DreXley did. He has never
spoken to me about II.
Douglas drank more wine. He was
unused to it, and the color mounted to
his pale cheeks.
You have asked me a question" he
said, '.and II is answered. What else?'
no concern of mine"
You are not anxious. then" Douglas
said. Ito earn a hundred pounds re-
ward 2"
would get the Courier to send you
abroad. They would do 1t in q minute" Z"
"Abroad?" Douglas looked across the
table questioningly. 1t was new idea
to him.
uyrff irr1n Yours
just the style for that sort of thing
quick and nervous, you know, and lots
of color. People are rabid for anything
9: that sort just now; Take my tip.
"I think will" Douglass said. Yes.
1: is good idea. / wonder"
Rice leaned once more across the
table.
You wonder what the Countess de
Reuss will say; Is that IL?
"I should consult her, Of course
A rare seriousness fell upon Rice.
The nonchalance, which was the most
pl onounced of his mannerisms. had
fallen away. 1t was a new man speak.
ing. One saw, as 1t were for the tirst
time that his hair was gray, and that
the lines on his face were deeply en-
craven.
My young friend" he said. Il want
you to listen to me. i am twice your
age. I have seen very much more OF
the world than you. Years ago 1 mad
a friend-Silverton. He was about your
age-clever, ambitious. good-looking: He
scored a small success-a poem. l think
II was-and some one took him one day
10 cali on Emily de Reuss.
II do not know where he Is now, but
two months ago | met him In rags. far
advanced in consumption, an utter
wreck, bodily and mentally. Yet when
| spoke one word OF her he struck me
across the lips. Today / suppose he Is
dead-pauper's funeral and all that sort
of thing. without doubt. l have aiken
his case first because he reminded me
of you. He had come from the North
somewhere, and he was aobut your age.
But he is only one of a score.
There is Drexley. . broken man:
Once he wrote prose. which of Its sort
was the best thing going. Today he is
absolutely nerveless. He cannot write
a line and he is drinking heavily. That
he has not gone under altogether Is
simply because as yet he has not re-
ceived his final dismissal. He still has
his use, so he Is allowed to hang on
little longer.
Now. Douglas lesson, listen to one
who knows What you are and who
you are-well no matter. l liked yol
when We met here. and you have a
splendid opportunity before you: Listen.
Emily de Russ will care for nothing for
your safety. She will oppose your 60
ing abroad. You are her latest play
thing. She is not weary Of you yet, SO
she will not let you go.
BE a man and do the sensible thing:
Too many have been her victims. IL
may make your heart ache little;
you may fancy yourself little unsrac-
ious Never mind. You will save your
lie and your soul. Go abroad as soon
as Rawlinson will send you"
Rice's words were too impressive 70
be disregarded altogether. They stirred
up in Douglas mind a vague uneasi-
ress. but his sense of loyalty to the
woman who had befriended him was
unshaken. Rice was led away by mis-
feelings for his friend.
Rice" he said, II know you're
speaking what you believe. can't
quite accept it all. Never mind. I'll
remember e. erything you've said. I'm
not quite a boy, you know, and / don't
wear my heart upon my sleeve"
Hard to convince, as they all are,
Rice said. with a wintry smile. Never
mind. I'll do my best to save you. Lis
ten 10 this. Do you know why Drexlsy