New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1921-09-20


Fry" the boy repeated.
Boiler offered the boy a cigar.
'1 don't want to bite off the end
vet the boy ruttered.
Sink you teeth in it. Now III
get you a match"
He felt for one, did Johnson Boil
Ter, and then ceased feeling for one.
That sudden low laugh of the young
mans was one of the oldest sounds
he had ever heard; moreover, as the
Lasande doorman opened the door of
the taxi, he caught the SAND odd light
in the bows eye-and now he, too,
had risen and pulled the disreputable
cap a little lower as he said:
IT won't smoke it now, thanks. I'm
going upstairs and listen to Mr.. Fry
for a while, 1 think
CHAPTER II.
Opportunity.
The Hotel Lasande deserves a word
or two.
In the strict sense it is no hotel
at all, being merely a 20-story pile
of four and five-and even seven and
eight-room bachelor suites of the
very highest class. Moving into the
Lasande and assuming one of its
breath-stopping leases is a process
not unlike breaking into the most ex-
elusive sort of club. One is investi-
gated, which tells it all. The Lasande,
catering to the very best and most
opulent of the bachelor class, has
nothing else beneath it's roof.
The boy should have been sedate
and subdued, to put it mildly, yet he
grinned at the impeccsble night clerk
from under his cap and sent his i'm
pudent eyes rowing on, to alight fin
ally on the chair near the north ele-
vator.
Who's the party with the big specs
and why the prolonged stare?" the
youngster asked irreverently.
Eth? Oh. that's Mr.. Hitchin, a
neignt or of mine" Anthony smiled.
Your name, What is it?"
"well-er-Prentiss, the youth adj
mitted.
rs that your first name or your
last name?"
That's just my last name the
boy smiled. First names David"
David Prentiss, eh ?" Anthony
murmured with some satisfaction, for
il had a suHstant'a. sound. Well, Da-
vid-er, Hitchin. how are you? Mr..
Mr.. Hitchin, my young friend, Mr..
The boys hand went out and grip
ped Hitchin's heartily enough. Mr..
Hitchin held it for a moment and
peer cd at David-end one saw what
a really penetrating stare he owned.
wilkins-the priceless, faultless
Wilkins who had been with Anthony
for 16 years-opened the door of
Fry's apartment and, even though he
were wilkins, started a trifie at the
sight of David and his cap.
Make yourself at home, David"
Anthony smiled. Wen shed our
coats and find our smoking Jackets
Curiously enough, David had lost
much of his grinning assurance when
they rejoined him. The impudence
had left his eye and the boy seemed
rose at the sight of them, and his
quick nervous smile fingered only
moment as he said
II think I'd better be going, after
all, Mr.. Fry. It's pretty late and"
Just a minute or two, and per-
haps you'll change your mind An
thony said quietly as he dropped into
his pet chair. You'll permit per-
sonal question or two, David 2"
Il suppose So"
"Then--how old are you?"
Twenty
"Ah! Parents living?"
David nodded.
You're working. of couccc?' Mr..
Fry asked sharply.
I'm inst a plumbers helper!" the
boy said gustily.
Hear what 1 have to say, An
thony went on quickly and impressive
ly, for now we come to my reason
for bringing you here. David, you
are poor. You are without a profess
sion-without business of your own.
Your brightest hope at present is to
become a plumber"
And now, before the penetrating,
hypnotic eye, David seemed, not with
out warrant, to have grown down.
right frightened. He glanced swiftly
at Anthony and at the door.
II don't know" he said breathless-
ly. Whats the answer"
We'll. what do you want to be-
come? A doctor? A lawyer? teach
err? An electrician? A journalist? A
clergyman? A painter? An architect?
A mining engineer? A civil engineer?
A"
That's it, David said hoarsely. "A
civil engineer! You got it out of me.
didn't you? And now I'd better go
and"
sit still" Fry commanded. land
listen to me. David up to this eve
ming you had no real hope of at
tanning your ambition. In fine, oppor-
tunity to make the goal was not yours.
Now opportunity is yours"
lis it ?" David said throatily, albeit
he did not resume his seat.
Because this is what 1 mean to
do for you. David; I mean to take
you out of your present humble situa-
ton to have you here to live with me-"
David merely. clutched the edge of
his coat and Gulped, staring fascin-
atedly at Anthony. Il am reasonably,
wealthy. and l shall bear every ex-
nense that you may incur, David.
When you have graduated, and every
thing that can be taught you has been