Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-10
CHAPTER VI.
BACK TO CIVILIZATION

When, after long stay in the wllds.
where health OF body and mind had come
back to him, and lucky 1nd Of oil had
made him a wealthy man, Tavernake
returned to New York He wired Prltch-
ard to meet him.
Pritchard laughed softly as he passed
his arm through his friends,
Come. my Brlton." he sald my prim-
itlve man, have rooms for you in a
hotel close here. A bath and a mint julep,
then I'll take you to a tailor's. What
about the big country7 It's better than
your salt marshes. Ell? Better than your
little fishing village? Better than build
ing boats2" .,
''You know IT," Tavernake answered
"I feel as though I'd been drawing In
life for month after month. Have l got
to wear boots like yours-patent?
Got to be done" Pritchard declared
"And the hat--oh, my heavensP' Tav-
ernake groaned. 'Tll never become civil
lied again."
wen see." Pritchard laughed "say,
Tavernake, IL was a great trip OF ours
Everythings turning out marvelously,
The oil and the copper are big, man
big. / tell YOU. [ reckon your fiVe thou-
sand dollars will he we'll on the way TO
half n million. I'm pretty near there
myself"
1t was not until later on, when he was
alone, that Tavernake realized with how
little interest he listened to his COM
panion's talk of their success. 1t was so
short time ago since tho building up
OF n fortune had been the one aim upon
which every nerve of his body was CEN
tered Curously enough. now he seemed
to take it ms matter of course,
"On second thought, I'll send tailor
round TO the hotel" Prltchard declared.
"I've rooms myself next yours. We can
go out and buy boots and the other things
afterward."
BY niEhtfall, Tavernake's wardrobe was
complete. Even Prltchard regarded him
with n certain surprise, He seemed,
somehow. to have gained n new dignity.
Say. but you look greatv' he exclaimed.
"They won't believe 1t at the meeting to-
morrow that you are tho man who
crossed the Yolite Mountains and swan
the Peraneek River. That's wonderful
country you were in, Tavernake after
you left the tracks"
"G'll never keep away from It." he said,
softly. "Ill have to 60 back"
Prtchard smiled.
when your reports IN shape and the
dollars are being scooped In, they'll send
you back fast enough-that Is. II you still
want TO co." he remarked II tell you.
Leonard Tavernake. our city men here
arc out for tho dollars. over on your
side. a man makes n million or so and
he's had enough. One fortune hero only
seems to whet the appetite of New
Yorker. BY the way" he added, after
n moments hesitation, does it interest
you to know that an old friend of yours
Is In New YorlS?'
Tavernalte's head went round swiftly
"who is it?" he asked.
Mrs. Wenham Gardner"
TavernaISc set his teeth.
NO" he sald.> slowly, IT don't know
that that interests~rne."
"Glad of IT," Pritchard went on "t
can tell you I don't think things have
been going extra well with the lady.
She's spent most of what she got from
the Gardner family, and she doesn't
seem TO have had the best of luck with
It. either. I came across her by accident.
She is staying at flashy hotel, but it's
in the wrong quarter-second rate-qulte
second-rate."
II wonder whether We shall see any
thing OF her" Tayernake remarked
DO you want to?" Prltchard asked.
She'll probably be at Martins for lunch,
at the Plaza for tea, and Rector's for
supper She's not exactly the lady to
remain hidden, you know"
We'll avoid those places. then, II you
are taking me around" Tavernake said.
You're cured, are you?" Pritchard in
quircd.
"Yes, am cured" Tavernake answered,
cured of that and a great many other
things, thanks to you. You found me
the right tonic"
Tonic" Pritchard repeated, medita-
lively THAT reminds me. This way for
the best cocktail in New York"
The night was not to pass, however,
without its own especial thrill for Taver-
make. The two men dlned together at
Delmonlco's and went afterwards to a
roof garden, n new form of entertain
ment for Tavernake, and one which in
terested him vastly. They secured one