Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1916-12-23
CHAPTER XVI.

asphalt. To this general excitement
the strange case Of Mr.. lie Moyne had
added Its quota. One day he was In
the gas Office, making out statements
that were absolutely ridiculous. And
the Tcxt there was the news that Mr..
lie Moyne had been only taking holi.
day IN the gas Office and that he was
really very great surgeon and had
saved DR.. Max Wilson.
The Street, which was busy at the
time deciding whether to leave the old
sidewalks or to put down cement ones,
had one evening of mad excitement
over the matter-Of K, not the side.
walks-and then had accepted the new
situation.
But over the news of KS approach.
Ing departure 1t mourned. The Street
made resolve to keep X, II possible,
II he had shown any high and might.
ness" as they called 1t, since the
change In his estate, It would have let
him go without protest. But when q
man is the real thlng-so that the
newspapers give a column to his hav.
Ing been In the city almost two years
and still goes about In the same shabby
clothes, with the same friendly greet
Ing for everyone, 1t demonstrates clear
ly, as the baritone put 1t, that hes got
no swelled head on him; that's sure"
A little later, K, coming up the
Street as he had that first day, heard
the baritone singing:
Home Ia the hunter, home from the hill,
And the sailor. home from the sea-"
Home! Why, this was home. The
Street seemed to stretch out Its arms
to him. The ailanthus tree waved In
the sunlight before the little house
Tree and house were old; September
had touched them. Christine sat sew
Ing on the balcony. A boy with piece
q chalk was writing something on the
new cement under the tree. He stood
back, head on one side, when he had
finished, and inspected his work. X
read In chalk on the smooth street:
Max Wilson.
Sidney Page.
The baritone was still singing; but
now II was I'm twenty-one. and She,
eighteen" The light was gone from
KS face again. After all. the Street
meant for him not so much home as Il
meant Sidney. And now. before very
long. that book Of his life. like others
would have TO be closed.
He turned and went heavily into tbs
little house.
Christine called to him from her llt
tie balcony:
II thought heard your step outside
Have you time TO come inf'
X. went through the parlor and stood
In the long window. His steady eyes
looked down at her.
Il see very little OF you now" sh,
complained. And. when he did NO
reply Immediately: "TIave you mad,
any definite plans. KY
II shall do Max's work until he Il
able TO take hold again. After that
"You will 80 awayf'
81 think so. | am getting n goot
many letters, one way and another.
suppose, now I'm back In harness. II
stay. My old place Is closed. I'd s,
back there-they want me. But 1
seems so futile. Christine. TO leave as
did, because | felt that had no RICH
TO go ON rs things were; and now q
crawl back on the strength Of haylnl
had my hand forced. and TO take u
things again. not knowing that I've |
bit more right TO do II than when
left"
Il went TO see Max yesterday. 70,
know what he thinks about all that"
lie took an uneasy turn NJ and dow
the balcony.
"But whor he demanded. "wh
would dc such n thingi I tell you
Christine. II Is impossible"
She did not pursue the subject. He
thoughts had flown ahead 10 the ll,tl
house without X. 20 days without hi
steps ON the stairs or the heavy crca
Of his big chair overhead rs he droppc
ipto II.
But perhaps II would be better II h
went. She had her own life TO llv,
She had no expectation OF happIncs,
but. somehow or other. she must bull
on the shaky foundation Of her mai
riagc n house Of life. with rcslgnatlo
serving for content. perhaps with fca
lurking always. That she knew. Bu
with no active misery. Misery lmpllc
affection. and her love for Palmer wa
quite dead.
"Sidncy will be here this afternoon.
Good" Ills tone was noncomml
|! tai.
HAS II occurred TO you. X. that 81,
ncy Is not very happyr
lie stopped In front Of her.
. "Shc's had n great anxiety"
"Shc has no anxiety now. Max
doing we'll"
! Then what In itr'
I "rm not quite sure. but I think
know. She's Loot faith In Max. an
! she's not like me. IL knew abo,
Palmer before married him. ft's a
--.s~- h'deous-I needn't 90 into