The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1916-03-03
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Alan Wayne had been away for a
year. He 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 1 hear about Gerry dis
appearing"
It's true" said the judge and add
ed grimly, ''he disappeared the day you
went to Montreal"
Alan colored 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 reverenced as charmed circle.
Lille 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 Hill?" 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, Il shall not break the
communal coma of Red Hill for some
time. I'm off again. McDale Il Nc
| Dale have loaned me TO Ellinson's. I've
become a sort of poohbah on construc-
ton in Africa. They get 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. Aian's
dress vas almost too refined. His per-
son was as well cared for as a wom-
ans. Every detail about him was Il
| studied negation 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, aud a
clouded soul has its peculiar circum-
| ambiency which the clean can feel.
! The judge felt it in Alan and WINGED
| If Alan did not so 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.
I His hair was in the same state of
white insurgency. his eyes bulged i'll
| the same old way. and he still puffed
when he talked. His garb was identi-
cal and awakened the usual interest
In the passing gamin.
You'll never grow Old, sir" said
t Alan.
old" said the captain. Huh.
grew old before you were born" The
captain spoke with pride. He straight,
ened his bullet head and poised tot
| Of whisky with Il steady hand. What
| did [ tell you?" he said into space.
| 'HoW's that sir?''
What did tell YOU repeated the
captain swinging around his eyes.
| about women?"
| Alan flushed angriIy He had 10 re.
tort for the old man He sat sullenly
silent.
The captain ccored too. That's
right he said with Il surprising touch
of cloler "Sulk. Every badly broken
colt sulks 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