Evening star., 1914-10-11

matter.
An hour later his plans seemed to have received in
spiration; for he slowly smiled at the broken stucco
in the of the ceiling and murmured, "Oh, tant
bad, after all. Coin to beat the game yeti and
went serenely to sleep.
A SUSPICIOUS man might have surnised from the
influx of visitors who called on Williams within
the next few days. that the of his prospective de-
mise had been brted about the dressing of the
music halls where he, Ramori the Great, was ia
miliar figure but if the sick had any such thoughts
he carefully concealed all annoyance behind mask of
good will and carelessness Each visitor, who talked
bravely and smiled in his presence, shook glum and
sorrowfu head he or she emerged from the lodging
house and thought of what Ramori had said when he
expatiated rafting his rope and meager stage out
fit "Just to leave somethn behind that somebody may
remember use' he explained, with great regularity
Besides, when get ready to work again I'll want
outfit"
No spider web with more dcxterity. He
knew what they thought; namely, that the proceeds
of the rattle would but buy him casket and keep him
from Potter's Field. Sometimes when alone he smiled
sadly at this effort of his and then consoled himself by
saying, at amt if was beatin em out of anything,
after ALL It's real rattle. 1t amt if could get out
to tend to things I'm here on my back, and just got
to win the fight best can't beg, and it's the
only way to get the money I've just got to
have"
Perhaps it the sheer bravery of his assertions
that made the rattle the tremendous that it
tons, while he in his dimly lighted, poorly ventilated
chamber, went calmly ahead formulating his plans.
Not beaten yeti Neither poverty nor illness might
blanket his optimism. Quite calmly too he decided
that his greatest need confederate who could do
certain things and make certain inquiries that
highly necessary and for another two days he studied
and measured each visitor that came. 1t was his
cluson that most of then through blunderng Kindness
would lie to they regarded his deathbed.
That would not answer his purpose at ALL for he must
howe
mental list of elminatons led to the choice of Bill
Parlow.
@He's the man." said Williams to himself. @He
don't talk much; but he don't know how to lie, and
sort of believe he amt dumb as most folks think
got to get him here by himself and just naturally make
him do what want done. Got to do it, that's ALL"
He was like bedridden general marshalng his forces
for the battle and serenely confident that he would
win against all odds. Through the services of Mary
Kelly, to whom he explained that "a feller in my fix
has things he's got to tell to just friend he
sent for Bill at amt" he said to the little dancer
"that don't trust you Mary; but you you amt
got to talk to a man; SO l want Bill-alone
Get me2 Try to keep the others away tomorrer morn
in"
AND Big Bill Parlow, the strong man of the Peerless
Parlows, appeared on time and sat on the extreme
edge of decrept, slippery, old horsehair sofa and
twisted his hat in his hand his fingers his
cropped red head, while the invalid talked.
"Bill, he said Il sent for you because need some
one to help me- who'll give it to straight from the
shoulder. All these others lie because they're afraid
of maxim me feel bad. All of EN- think I'm gon'
croak, don't they?"
Bls mouth hung open and his eyes met those of the
sick man as if fascinated.
3Come on Speak out! This amt no time to try to
molly-muff feein's,' ordered the the bed.
@Snce you want it straight they do, blurted the
acrobat in desperation
The sick chuckled if at good joke, then
lifted himself his elbow and shook bony finger.