The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1920-04-23

Presently he sensed a subtle super
charging of the atmosphere whenever
he met male acquaintance; he
couldn't deny that the greeting of his
bankers was suddenly less informal,
more impersonal; he perceived, with
sinking spasm Of forebodlng, that
fewer people stopped to chat with him
on the street and that those who still
were willing to halt and pass the time
of day were uncommonly FESTIVE about
1t. Syracuse hadn't yet arrayed itself
officially against him, and part of
Syracuse was outwardly as pleasant as
ever but there wasn't the slightest
question that the story had leaked out,
and that 1t had got itself adherents.
The end was plainly in sight; ARM
strong's report was due. Only the Gull
lens and the Durants and one or two
other of the James street families were
quite as cordially attentive as former
ly; and to billiards. vast chagrin, they
rather overtlid it he seemed to
feel in the steady warmth of their
friendship a sort of blindIy unseasoH-
able resolution to support him, whether
or no. This, infinitely more than the
cooling manner of the majority, CALLED
him necessarily. 1t was as though
they rallied to his defense before the
need of it it was as though they
conceded in advance the necessity Of
such q defense.
So billiard waited, waited {.
smiling upon the world his hollow
smile, carrying through the city the
body of q knave and the face of q
martyr and the soul Of gentleman
and in the watches of the night,
he was perplexed to find that his Eyes
were sometimes wet, but never when
he was thinking of hmself-alwayS
when he was thinking of Angela, or
Carol or-uneXplainably- a COM
mon-enOugh representative Of the
French bOurgeoisie. named Pierre Du-
tout.
On the eighth day, he CHANGED to
meet DIR. Durant by accident in front
of the Physicians building at nigh noon.
"Hello, there You're just in time"
said the Doctor, cheerfully. I'm go
ing over to the University club for
lunch. Won't you join me? | want
your advice. I'm the worst business
man in the world-you probably know
that by this time. And l trust my
friends for friendship; but when I
want advice. go to an expert. So
you qualify on both counts. Come
along over"
billiard was flattered, but not de-
ceived.
"I'm not sure that my advice is
worth anything half as expensive as a
luncheon, Doctor"
The older man took him by the arm,
and impelled him across the street.
"That depends on your appetite" he
laughed "Come along, and help me
out on a decision I've got to make
About an investment"
billiard hung back for a moment,
while suspicion dawned on him.
'What sort of investment, DOctorT
he queried.
"You come and sit down." urged the
Doctor, seductively. "And we'll talk
it over later But first Of all" He
patted his waistcoat. "Let's eat"
Hilliard was almost too grateful to
speak; the Doctors Strategem was pat
ent, but in all chivalry the invitation
couldn't be declined. Once inside the
doors of the club, however, he became
panicky; for his first sweeping recon-
noissance included half a dozen men
whose late behavior had indicated that
they knew.
The Doctor drew billiard under the
mantle of his own unassailable posi-
ton, and plowed ahead with the utmost
serenity. He nodded here and there,
he spoke to members right and left; he
bowed across the room; always his
personality, rather than his person,
seemed to be escOrting aud guarding
Hilliard and Syracuse couldn't decline
to acknowledge a man who was under
the Doctors adequate protection. Those
who spoke to the Doctor also spoke to
billiard; there was no way out of it,
and they spoke as casually as they
could They also nodded to him, and
bowed but when his back was turned,
they became low-voiced and commlni-
cative, and he knew ii.
ITO RE CONTINCED)