The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-07-24

Oh 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 a.
ever. but there wasn't the slightest
question that the story had leaked out.
and that 1t had got itself adheren's.
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
"; and to billiards vast chagrin, they
rather Dverdid II he seemed to
feel In the steady warmth of their
friendship sort of blindly unseason-
able resolution to support him, whether
or no. This. infinitely more than the
cooling manner of the ma jority, CALLED
him necessarily. 1t was rs though
they rallied to his defense before the
need of it 1t was as though they
conceded in advance the necessity of
such a defense
So billiard waited, waited E.
smiling upon the world his hollow
body of knave and the face of n
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 himSelf-always
when he was thinking of Angela, or
Carol, or-unexplainaby- 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 Ugh noon.
Hello, therel You're just In time, "
said the Doctor, cheerfully. I'm go
ing over to the University club for
lunch Won't you join me7 ] want
your advice. I'm the worst business
man in the world-you probably know
that by this time. And | trust my
friends for friendship; but when l
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
luncheon. Doctor"
The older man took him by the arm,
and impelled him across the street.
THAT depends on your appetite" ne
laughed. Come along, and help me
About an investment
billiard 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 Wen tall,
it over later But first of all" He
patted his waistcoat Lets eat"
billiard was almost too grateful tC
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 mer
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 utmos
serenity. He nodded here and there
he spoke to members right and left HI
bowed across the room; always hi:
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. ThOs'
who spoke to the Doctor also spoke t.
Hilliard; there was no way out of II
and they spoke as casually as the!
could. They also nodded to him. ant
bowed. but when his back was turned
they became low-voiced and communi
cative, and he knew 1t.
CTO BE CONTINUEDJ