El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-12-18

peated. as though disposing OF all argu-
ment, i got TO make expenses
After dinner, when came to the
smoking room. the poker party SAL
waiting, and one Of them asked Il l
knew where they could find my
friend" I should have said then that
Talbot was a steamer acquaintance
only; but I hate row, ana let the
chance pass. 8,
one OF them volunteered
Hes losing, then?' I asked
The man chuckled complacently.
The only loser" he said
Il wouldn't worry" I advised. Hell
come for his revenge"
That night after I had turned in he
knocked at my door 1 switched on me
OF my berth. saw also that with olI-
ficulty he was holding himself in hand
I'm scared" he stammered, scared
] wrote out q reQuiSitiOu on the sur
Eeon for a sleeping potion and sent II
10 him by the steward, giving the man
TO understand I wanted il for myself
UNLIMITED, Talbot had seated himself
on the sofa His eyes were cIoseds ana
as though he were cold he was shiv-
ering and hugging himself in his arms
Have you been drinking asked
In surprise he opened his eyes.
Il can't drink" he answered simply
Its nerves and worry I'm tired"
He relaxed against the cushions; his
arms fell heavily at his sides; the fin
cod he whispered. how tired I
In spite Of his tan-and certainly he
had led the out-of-door lne-his face
showed white For the moment ne
looked old, worn, finished
They're crowdin' me-" the boy whiS-
pered- They're always croWdin' me.
His voice was qusrulous. uncompre-
bending. like that Of a child complain
ing Of something beyond his expert
ence- Il can't remember when they
haven't been crowc.n' me- AoVln me
on. you understand Always moYln me
on. Moved me out of India. then Cairo,
then they closed Paris, and now they re
shut me out Of London 7 opened CLUB
there, very quiet very exclusive. smart
neiEhborhood, too-a flat in Berkeley
street-roulette and chemin de fer. I
think IL was ny valet sold me out;
anyway, they came in and took us all
70 Bow street So I've plunged on this
It's my last chancel"
No; nv family in New York. Haven't
seen 'em in ten years They paid me 10
live abroad. I'm gambling on them;
gambling on their takin' me back. I'm
ocming home as the Prodigal Son, tired
of filling my belly with the husks that
the swine do eat: reformed character,
Fepentant and all that: want to follow
the straight and narrow; and they'll
kill the fatted calf" He laughed sar-
doniczlly. Like he'll they will They'd
It seemed to me. II he wished his
family TO believe he were returning I
his course in the smoking |
room would not help to reassure them I
I suggested as much
III you get into trouble as you call 1
f." said, land they send a wireless TO /
the police to be at the wharf, your peo- /
pie would hardly
II know he interrupted; Sbut got I
70 chance that I got to make enough /
to go on Efth-until see my family.
IF they won't see you?" asked
what them
He shrugged his shoulders and
sfghed lightly, almost with relief, as
though for him the prospect held no
.sThen it's Good night, NURSE" he
said And I won't be s bother to any
body any more"
I told him his nerves were talking
and talking rot. and I gave him i'm, the
It was not until after luncheon the
next day when he made his first ap-
Dearance on deck that again saw my
Da tent He was once more a healthy
picture of a young Englfshman of leis-
ure; keen, smart and fit; ready for any
exercise or sport The particular sport
st which he was 80 expert asked him
Can't be doner' he assured me. I'm
the loser, and We dock tomorrow morn
ing. 50 tonight I've got to make my
It was the others who made the kill
came into the smoking room about
o'clock. Talbot alone was seated The
others were on their feet. and behind
hem IN q wider semicircle were pas
lengerB, the smoking room stewards
md the ships purser.
Talbot sat with his back against the
1ulkhead. his hands in the pockets of
his dinner coat; from the corner Of his
mouth his long cigaret holder was
locked at an impudent angle. There
vas z tumult Of angry voices. and the
yes OF all were turned upon him Out
TaruIy, at least. he met them with
complete indifference. The voice of one
Il my countrymen. noisy pest named
Smedburg. was raised in excited accu-
lation.
When the ships surgeon first met
7ou." he cried you called yourself
ord Ridley"
III call myself anything I jolly well
Ike" returned Talbot. IF choose to
lodge reporters, that's my pidgin- I
ion't have to give my name to every
neddling busybody that"
You'll give IL to the police, all
light" chortled Mr.. Smedburg. In the
confident bullying tone Of the man who
Knows the crowd is with him, he shout
ID: And in the meantime you'll keep
Iut OF this smoking room!"
The chorus OF assent was unanimous.
( could not be disregarded- Talbot rose