The Washington times., 1913-06-28

ONI ne Sd.u- 81 icdsI
listen to me for moment.
Strong was in my office once.
I knew him at his best
watched his decline, have known him
always. He's absolutely beyond help
from you or me, or any living person
Three times have given him the money
10 emigrate, and he has pocketed " ano
laughed at me He has no conscience
or any sense of honor.
His life, or what is left of IL, is q
desire-a desire to Kill He would take
your money and spend 1t In priolng ser
wants or in procuring fresh weapons. In
any case, It would go toward helping
him in his horrible purpose.
Propose to kill him, IL you like, and
] am with you at all risks. But don
60 near him; don't give him money.
Douglas lit cigarette and turned Ms
back TO the window.
VERY we'll" he said 81 will forget
him. You had better do the same"
Drexley nodded slowly.
morrow il viii begin again: watch
him all my spare time Even then
scarcely dare open morning paper"
Douglas looked at him, suddenly
fuiness. OF his own sufferings he SEEM
what are you going to do tonight,
Drexleyr' he said.
DIexiey shrugged his shoulders: r.,
'.Smoke and drink, suppose, till IL, and
then go home. Not that I'm complain
INK. There's nothing else care TO do.
Douglas laid his hand upon his shoul-
Look here" he said, I've an idea.
I'm taking Miss Strong and friend to
the Gayety. We want a fourth. and
was Just looking around for man.
Come with US.
L., orfD1lV
You're talking nonsense" he SAID.
VERY good of you, of course" he add
ed but you must please excuse me.
That sort of things not in my way at
all"
Douglas was persistent.
There's no reason why II shouldn I
be In your way" he said. You know
Miss strong, and III look after the
other girl I've fancy to have you
come"
Drexley took up a paper.
GO and pick up one OF the young
men" he said. There are plenty Of
them who will be glad to spend the
evening with Miss Strong. AS for me.
It's out Of the question. / should only
be wet blanket"
You or no one. DFexley." Douglas
said. taking out his watch. LOOK here.
You've twenty minutes TO change your
clothes. The girls are calling here at .
O'Clock. Hurry. please"
IT shall do nothing Of the sort, Drex-
ley snorted. There's Molyneaux- ASK
him. I've an engagement later on"
Douglas took out his watch again
you've only eighteen minutes now,
he said II know you'll not keep them
waiting
For the first half hour it was doubt
full whether the evening WAS going TO
be a success. Drexley was gloomy and
had not altogether lost the air Of hav-
ing been forced TO do something which
bored him. He was polite, but mono
syllable and gloomy. and his interest in
the play was obviously feigned. Doug
las wisely left him TO Cicely, and de-
voted himself to her little friend, and
he soon had the pleasure OF seeing
Drexley thaw.
Cicely only laughed at his momentary
lapses and she was far too charming a
companion 10 be ignored. Before the
first act was ended she had conquered.
Drexley was watching her with a quiet
smile upon his lips. amused at her
eagerness, answering her many ques-
tons readily. In the corridor after the
play was over he touched Douglas on
the shoulder
you are all coming to the Milan TO
supper with me" he said. Miss Strong
and arranged II after the second act,
and I sent a commissioniaire down for
a table
Ciceiy laughed up at him.
Isn't IL deiightful?" she exclaimed.
'Miliy and / are SO hungry. and were