Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-09-02

tCopyrghted b j. b. hppfncott W.
00 9th a reckless smile Rich.
NAN ardson saw his guests de-
WV part. Then he went to the
table. and. pouring out
glass Of wine. drank 1t down. The room
was fragrant with flowers: the table.
with its empty glasses and coffee cups.
had the disheveled air OF Circe's ban
quet; the mahogany sideboard. which
had belonged to his great-grandfather
Of revolutionary fame, was covered
with silver and tall decanters. His
great-uncle's wine cooler stood by the
pantry door. like . sentry box at the
outposts. There were the savory re-
mains of a saddle of venison on a serv-
ing table. and a silver chafng dish. in
which he himself had prepared his Ia
nous terrapin. In the distance he heard
the laughter. the snatches OF song. as
his departing guests raised the echoes
In the quiet street. for 1t was long past
midnight and the neighborhood was Sc
date
Richardson laid his hand on the back
Of . chair and steadied himself. He
was not Intoxicated. but for Q moment
the room swan. Then he laughed with
Q sudden feeling of exultation. What
aid 1t matter? He was master Of his
fate. The wine had gone to his brain.
This famous dinner would cost . thou
eand dollars. and he had only ten left in
w nssd SsS hs sa e a,a Afa.t s9
night. none, He felt like q philosopher
who had hit upon a new solution Of the
problems of the universe; an explorer
discovered country. He had played his
last card and played 1t we'll He laughs
who wins.
He turned his head sharply. what
10 II, HalketT'
The old servant held out q bundle Of
crumpled papers.
Bills" he said. dryly. Me and Mr.
Haskins had to serve the dinner over
those duns in tn kitchen threatening
to call you out. an one Of 'em got into
the pantry. It was fierce"
Richardson looked At him keenly and
astute face.
You may 60. Halket"
The table. sir. and"
Tomorrow will do"
His master turned angrfly. Cor
MY wages. sir? They're three
months overdue AID
Il told you to
Halket caught his eye hesitated an
instant. bowed and went
Richardson walked deliberately over
to the big fireplace and pitched the bum
de OF bills into the names. He watch
Cd them shrivel and blacksn until the
opurts of flame shot up and nothing
was left but .charred fragments Then
he smiled sardonically. They were
worth no more than that to his cred
itors.
He was done with them. rid OF them
forever. And the means of escape was
% simple, so easy, so swift, that ~
seemed incredible that he had not
thought Of 1t before: that he had
the blind fury Of the last few mo fainen.
and for nothing. For there was no way
out. He was caught and shared In the
tolls. He owed money to everybody. he
had nothing with which to pay, He
was barely twenty-seven and six years
before he had come into q million dol
lars Tonight he had ten-ten dollars
IN the world-and the creditors were
swArming like flies on his doorstep,
He rose and poured another glass of
wine. 1t was half way to his lips when
a sudden thought made him set IL down
on the table again. He had been drink
ing heavily already-what IL he made
pull the trigger?
Goaded by the thought. he went to
his desk and. unlocking It, took out his
pistol. Then--while he stood there
staring At the weapon-he remembered
q girls face. He did not know why.
Tor he had never been In love with her;
but her face rose before him A mobile.
charming face. with . subtle beauty
in the shadowy eyes. q round. white
chin and full young throat. He had
he recalled 1t nov. She was an Amsri-
can girl studying In . French convent
He had a vague impression that they
were poor. and that the mother had
not been too cordial. Probably she
had-not. approved OF his way OF living.