Middletown transcript., 1916-04-08
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Alin w dyne laQ Deen away Tor q
year. lie had not returned from Mont
real but had gone one from there to
work In South America and. later. to
Africa
He had been in town for several
days when he met the judge one after
noon in November on the avenue
Judge" he said without preamble.
WHAT'S this hear about Gerry dis
appearing"
ITS true" said the judge and add
cd grimly. "he disappeared the day you
went to Montreal"
Alan coiored and his face turned
grave. Il am sorry" he said. 81
didn't know it."
Sorry for what?" asked the Judge,
but Alan refused the opening and the
judge hardly regretted it. They were
not in tune and he felt it. His heart
was heavy over Alan for his own sake.
He had broken what the judge had
long reverepced as a charmed circle.
He had eXiled himself from that which
should have been dearer to him than
his hearts desire. The judge Won
dered if he realized it. You're not
going out to Red HilI?" he asked, try
ing to make the question casual.
Alan glanced at him sharply. What
was the judge after? NO" he said
after a pause. ~ shall not break the
communal coma of Red Hill for some
time. I'm OF again. McDate q 1fc-
Dale have loaned me to Ellinson's. I've
become sort of poohbah on construc-
ton in Africa. They get a premium
for lending me-"
Alan's speech habitually drawIed ex-
cept for an occasional retort that came
like the crack of whip. The judge
looked him over curIousIy. Alans
dress was almost too refined. His per-
son was as well cared for as a wom-
ans. Every detail about him was a
studied negatlon of work. utility, serv-
ice. The judge thought of Collinge-
ford's story and wondered.
They walked In silence for some
time and then Alan took his leave. The
Judge followed his erect figure with
solemn eyes. Alan had deteriorated.
One cannot be the fly in the amber of
more than one wOman's memory with
out clouding ones own soul, and a
clouded soul has its peculiar clrcum-
which the clean can feel
The judge felt it in Alan and WINGED.
If Alan did not go to the Hill. the
Hill, in certain measure. came to Alan.
The next afternoon found the captain
once more established in his chair in
a window at the club with Alan be-
side him. The captain had not changed.
His hair was In the same state of
white insurgency. his eyes buged in
the same old way. and he still puffed
when lie talked. His garb was identi-
cal and awakened the usual interest
IN the passing gamin.
You'll never grow old, SIR" said
Alan.
Old" said the captain. "Huh.
grew old before you were born" TIL.
captain spoke with pride He straight
ened his bullet head and poised tot
of whisky with steady hand. WHAT
did tell your" he said into space.
"How's that. sir2'
What did tell you" repeated thu
captain swinging around his eyes,
"ab bout women?"
Alan flushed angrily. He had no re-
tort for the old man. He sat suIlenly
silent
The captain cOIored too. That's
right" he said with a surprising touch
Of choler. "Sulk. Every badly broken
colt suIks at the grip of the bit. What
you need. young man. Is a touch OF
the whip and you're going to get it."
And then the old man revealed a
surprising knowledge OF words that
could lash. At first Alan was indif
ferent. then amazed, and finally recog-
nized himself beaten at his own game.
He came out OF that Interview thor
Oughly chastened and with an alto