The citizen., 1914-10-09

exclaimed, is the whole world rot
ten?"
Meade's cynicism was not entirely
the vaporous output of self-centered
youth. His was a calling that took him
into every walk of life. He had stepped
lightly among the roses, which were
not for him to pluck, and he had
wound his way through thorns and es-
capped their prick. In the great school
of life every book and every page is
laid open to the reporter If he will but
look. 1t Is an old story; at first the
bubbling enthusiast, then the cynic;
and the cynicism is not feigned. Win
moved and sifted down and weighed
the same balance always showed. At
least in the turmoil of the big cities 1t
was the same-hypocrisy and self
gain.
But IL there were no alleviating
causes there were alleviating effects.
Occasionally the stock yielded some
thing pure. Such a product Dick had
found in the Reynolds home. OF
true love and true happiness he knew
the world contained its share, but
now the first idol in his personal OBJ
servance of 1t had crashed and shat
tered like the glass upon the Germans
bar. Or, so 1t seemed to him.
What other conclusion could he
reach? There were Jane and Brand
and the supercilious Mrs. Collins. In
the turbulent storm of his speculations
she served as slight balm, but not
an effective one. He was glad that
she was there. He was glad that Jane
had DETECTED Brand in his purpose to
tarry at the inn. These were mollify-
Ing circumstances, but they were
small. The great, big infectious fact
was that his friends wife was out au
tomobile riding with a man she had
known but two days-a millionaire
The word bit and stung as he con
ceived 1t. He laughed aloud in bit
ter. raucous way and reached for the
beer to wet dried lips. He gulped II
down and bade Herr Host good day
That portly gentleman, having pom
dered over the sudden transformation
OF his guest. scented trouble. His fare
well was as brief as Dicks.
Young Meade had gone to Totten
Vile on reportorial duty. This he had
performed when he dropped into the
inn. Ordinarily he would have spent
his time on the long homeward trip in
writing or at least, constructing his
story. But when he tried to concen
trate his mind, the scene he had just
witnessed intruded and absorbed his
thought. Again and again he reviewed
the facts and tried to Danish the blight
But 1t would not down. His admira
tion for Jane was almost akin to wor
ship. Bob he loved and envied. Not
In any unworthy way, but as the pos
SCISSOR and component part of state
of happiness he knew existed and had
never yet found for himself.
But in Dicks primitive and prac
tical alignment of figures, two and
two meant just one thing. Added OIL
multiplied the result was the same
No algebraic could alter it; nc
geometric square could efface it. Rey
nolds was deceived and his wife was
deceivingl him. Unless-and the
thought brought quick spasm Of re
1oicing-unless Bob knew.
He became impatient at the slow
moving car and then fretful over the
tardiness Of the ferry. He was eager
to rush to his friends Office and by
some diplomatic trick arrive at the
truth. But then, If Bob didn't know
and In spite Of himself this thought
took preponderance, what would he dc
then? Should he turn tale bearer and
say the word that always embitters
even when the best of friends Is Its
mouthpiece? His loyalty to Jane, too
might deter him. The idol was shat
tered. but 1t was still an idol. That
Dick did not fully know. There might
be ruins, but they would never fall to
the level of Brands. He became
acutely conscious Of an increasing
hatred for the INSCRIPTIONS million.
1tL anu q uOOk OkCocAh6 ACoCAtucuL tO'
ward the woman.
Dick found his friend at work in the
laboratory of the big construction com.
pany. Bob's quarters were on the top.
most floor of Bowling Green sky.
scraper and not far from the Offices OF
Brands concern. 1t was nearly six
o'clock and Bob, coatless and with
sleeves rolled up, was hurrying through
the final stages Of rush job.
Hello, Dick" he greeted without ad.
vancing. What brings you up at this
hour? I'd shake but my hands are
mussed up bit. Sit down. I'll be
through in ten minutes"
Dick declared he had just dropped
In and subsidized on a convenient stool.
Fascinated, he watched Reynolds NOV
ing quickly to and fro at his work,
transferring some substance from a
glass crucible to another; depositing a
bit here in small iron kettle over a
a. arI fna