Iron County news. [volume] (Hurley, Wis.) 1913-1950, 1920-04-17
CHAPTER lll.-Continued.

9ractce the full effect of his manner,
which was distinguished, patrician. He
knew the almost irresistible magnet
ism which had befallen him by acct
dent. He had been prepared-in his
own imagination-for the battery of
interest which was promptly trained
upon him. And yet, as he pursued his
luggage toward the desk, he faltered in
his pride. he felt as though the sor-
rowful eyes of all Syracuse were riv-
pted upon him; the well-recalled sur
roundngs unnamed him, and ne was
fmpelled to halt, lift up his hands in
token of surrender. and TO cry out:
This is not I! This is not /! 1t is
che man l might have been-if you
and | had understood each other !"
SO great was his anguish that in that
moment he honestly believed that 1t
was the equal fault of the city, and of
himself, that he had gone forth dis
credited
Behind the desk stood a clerk and
billiards heart tripped-the manager
who had rendered him the uItimatum.
billiards pen split blot of ink on
the register; his ears we're tuned for
fae speech of recognition which would
BLAST his dreams of triumph, and send
him off again in multiplied disgrace.
Eyes, sir" said the clerk with ex-
IRENE Difference, land about what
price, sir?"
The manager, who had been scrutin-
F7tv ri int r,,h{
something to the clerk; the clerk bit
his lip and looked up sharply; the
prodigal WINGED. and stiffened. Par
Tor C-ten dolars?" asked the clerk.
VERY comfortable room, sir
FrontT
The manager. as Hilliard retreated.
said impatiently to the clerk: whats
the matter with you, Jimmy, anyway?
Don't YOU know how to size up a man
yet? Don't ask a man like that what
he'll have-tell EN- what we've got -
Upstairs. billiard went limp from
the reaction. He had doubted what he
knew-ard this was proof of his lack
Of innocence. But the manager-who
two years ago had called him by his
first name-the manager had looked
him full in the face, and made not the
faintest sign of recognition
II was IN improved confidence, then,
that he went down to dinner; and de-
Hberately chose a central seat in the
most popular of the three available
rooms He was actively eager to be
observed; now that he had passed his
nrst examination. he craved test after
test' no inquisition could be too
urgent for him. And at the nearest
table sat a business man he knew, and
3 girl he knew from their matter-of-
Tact effectiveness, he judged that they
mad been married during his absence
they sazed interminably at him, but
only IN admiration. He mentally
checked Oft his list-that made trio
oi ola acquaintance who failed to
know him. Facing him a dozen feet
away sat man who had been Hill
AaFds employer for an epochal six
"eeks-this man. too, was obviously
interested, but unenlightened. Four
= aihher party, comprising six girls
Hnu SIX young men. filed gayly past
Uttn every one of the twelve he had
AuoWn wen, some of them Intimately:
ueF looked down at him in passing.
anu without exception, went on In
'sAoFahce- tiny roseleaf of a girl
@ds Father notIceably attracted to
1'i" She spoke to her partner. who
'ulnea' and stared. and nodded in the
'oleS fashion Of any escort to whom
handsome stranger is pointed out:
ana billiard could have laughed a1oud
me irony Of the incident They
'' hho"n each other for a dozen
7'Fs. That girl and Hnliard: in the
Zen and first. her mother had for
o4len him her house.
ne dlned with considerable Ieisnra
1 smoked cigar almost to the end
lore ne left the table. when he
-'.'eQ The room, it was with practi-
49, assurance that his gravest fears
sF'undiess, but for an addition
auIon he read an evening pa
- i" Tie lobby and endured in safe
-, -"e inspection Of a score of men
80 "ad known him wep suouph to
e'-sa to loan him money
s,5 past eight. vastly heartened
M lelreshed, he equipped himself
o.. 1eFta'n documents from his suit
49, 'na called for taxicab. The
o. ne gave the driver was high
~. -s eastern hiils: during he last
,ta I-''e, billiard was peering out ar
saa a1e4 lights Of houses where he |
ca . ..-yed IN his earlier youth. The
S. ,,9pped billiard went up q stone |
es6 - walk up broad stone steps.
ca, -'olu 90 a huge veranda. He was |
sa-,,,- @-1 yet his knees were discon- |
'saay he was desermin- |