The Dolores star., 1920-10-22

ChuISluS OF tne atmosphere whenever
he met a male acquaintance; he
couldn't deny that the greeting of his
bankers was suddenly less informal,
more impersonal; he perceived, with
sinking spasm Of foreboding, 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 restive about
1t. Syracuse hadn't yet arrayed Itself
officially against him, and a 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 Cul-
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 overdid 1t he seemed to
| feel in the steady warmth of their
friendship a sort Of blindly unseason-
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 1t 1t was us though they
| conceded in advance the necessity Of
such a defense.
So billiard waited, waited j..
smiling upon the world his hollow
smile. carrying through the city the
| body of knave and the face of a
martyr and the soul of d 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 himself-always
when he was thinking Of Angela. or
Carol, or-unexplainably- COM
mon-enough representative of the
French bourgeoisie named Pierre Du-
tout.
On the eighth day, he chanced to
meet DR.. 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? l want
| your advice. I'm the worst business
man in the world-you probably know
that by this time. And 1 trust my
friends for friendship; but when
want advice, go to an expert. So
along over"
Hilliard 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"
Hilliard hung back for a moment,
while suspicion dawned on him.
'What sort Of investment, Doctor?"
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. Lets 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 dozen men
whose late behavior had indicated that
they knew.
The Doctor drew Hilliard 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 and guarding
Hilliard; and Syracuse couldn't decline
to acknowledge man who was under
the Doctors adequate protection. Those
who spoke to the Doctor also spoke to
Hilliard; 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 communi.
cative, and he knew 1t.
(TO BE CONTINCED.)