Middletown transcript., 1914-11-28
cAApTER xx.
LIaht In Darkness.


After several inquiries Dick found
his friends home and rang the bell.
Frieda answered it, but in the dim
Light on the veranda and because Of
her wondrous change from a slattern-
" domestic to smart maid, he did
not recognize her.
%Is Mr.. Reynolds int"
mo. sir" Frieda informed him. -but
he may come any minute" ."
els his wife home?
''No, sir, she's gone out to dinner
and think she's going over to New
York. But Mr.. Reynolds didn't expect
to CO."
'If you don't mind, I'll wait" said
Dick. He went in. my name Is
Meade-Richard Meade" he added
without looking at the girl. "You may
have heard Mr.. Reynolds speak OF
me-
He took OF his coat and as he hand
ed 1t to her, stared in quizzical way.
At last the truth dawned on him.
"Why, it's Frieda," he exclaimed.
~Bless me, what a change"
The girl, not oblivious or averse to
the infection in his surprised greeting.
courtesied an acknowledgement
Change Is right, Mr.. Dick. You
didn't know me, did you?"
Il should say didn't" he concurred.
with smile. why, you're all dressed
up like one Of those talking dolls"
She laughed and turned around for
full inspection.
"The very latest model" she In
formed him. do you like it7"
TITS a dream" the young writer &C.
knowledged. But never 60 back to
Staten Island with that rig on. There
are 1,200 soldiers at the fort over there
and the government doesn't want them
all to desert at once"
Don't worry, Mr.. Dick. I'm not go
ing back to Staten Island. Mrs. Rey-
nOlds gave me a chance when she
came over here and you bet took It
It took me some time to get on to my
SELF. but did at last and now I'm
done with that sort Of thing, believe
mel"
Eriedais appearance confirmed her
boast
Nearly an hour passed. He read an
aTticle or two In magazines that were
Uttered about the table. There were
books too, all Of the lighter sort-re-
cent fiction. and some Of the higher
class humorous papers.
Everything in the Reynolds home,
60 much as Dick had seen OF 1t, be.
spoke the idler. Everything bespoke
ease Of body and unwillingness to tax
'le mind.
A quick step on the veranda cut
a.3ort his musings. Bob threw open
the door. At the sight Of his visitor
he rushed forward with outstretched
hands.
why. Dick" he shouted, and then
he fairly hugged him.
You're the last man / expected TO
see here and the one I'd rather see
most You've kept away pretty long,
but it's better late than never"
''Well. you sort Of got out Of my
class, Bob." replied his friend, respond
ing to the handshake with q grip as
nrm as iron. "And I've been away
good deal, too. Europe and all
around"
Reynolds threw on his coat and car
ried It TO the rack
''Europe?" he said as he turned.
what for, the paper7"
mo, haven't been with the paper
for some time, Bob. Left It shortly
well, shortly after / saw you last. I'm
with the World Awake now. Quite
Job. Things have been looking up
bit"
Reynolds looked him over carefully
and fondly.
ESQ would judge" be acquiesced.
You look It. Prosperous, eh?''
@From my point Of view, yes," said
Dick Maybe not from yours and
Brands"
Reynolds frowned Mention Of the
millionaire's name irFitated him.
Don't rub It in. old man. he begged.
Don't bring him in the first thing.
let's have little talk Just about our
selves. Wait, haven't asked you what
you'd have.
Water for mine, Bob. That's been
my program for . year. Nothing like
t."
Reynolds pushed q button.
.sThe devil you say = he answered IS
be turned to his friend Il cant say
the same for myself like a little bit
now and thea, and it's cold out to-
night feel chilled.
Firing some brandy al - ,zater. = !
he ordered. as the maid And.
Frieda. bring q large Mr.
Maada.R