Williams news., 1922-10-20
BOOK ONE
THE CALL OF THE BLOOD
CHAPTER |

Bruce was wakened by the sharp ring of his telephone bell. Instantly he was fully aroused, in complete con- trol of all his faculties. And this IS not especially common to men bred Tn the security of civilization Rather 1t is a trait of the wild creatures; a little matter that is quite necessary if they care at all about living. From tiersmen learn the trait, too; but as Bruce was a dweller of cities 1t seemed somewhat strange in him.
 Then he grunted rebelliously and glanced at his watch beneath the pill low. He had gone to bed early; It was just midnight now.
 He had no doubts whatever concern ing the nature of this call. There had been one hundred like it during the previous month His foster father had recently died his estate was being set tied up. and Bruce had been having somewhat strenuous time with his creditors He understood the mans real financial situation at last; at his death the whole business structure collapsed like the eggshell 1t was Bruce had supposed that most of the debts had been paid now; he won dered, as he fumbled into his bedroom slippers, whether the thousand or so dollars that were left would cover the claim of the man who was now call ing him to the telephone
 ''This is MT. Duncan" he said cold ly into the transmitter.
 "How do you do, MT. Duncan" a voice answered. Pardon me if got you up want to talk to your son, Bruce"
 Bruce emitted little gasp of JUhoovor faIxQd a the end of the line obviously didn't know that the elder Duncan was dead. Bruce had a moment of grim humor in which heg unused that this voice would have done rather well if 1t could arouse his foster father to an swer 1t. .'The elder MT. Duncan died last month," he answered simply. There was not the slightest trace of emotion in his tone. No wayfarer on the street could have been, as far aa facts went, more of stranger to him : there was no sense of loss at his death and no cause for pretense now. This Is Bruce speaking"
 He heard the other gasp. "Old man, Pm sorry." his contrite voice came. "I didn't know of your loss. This is Barney-Barney Wegan-and just got in from the West. Haven't had a bit of news for months. Accept my earnest sympathies-
 Barney! Of course" The delight grew on Bruce's face; for Barney We gan, a man whom he had met and lea: ned to know on the gym floor o1 his club, was quite near to being rea friend. "And what's up, BarneyF
 The mans voice changed at once went back to it's same urgent, but rather embarrassed tone. "YOu won' believe me if I tell you, so I won't tr1 to tell you over the phone But must come upright away. May I?'
 "Of course-"
 fI'lI be there in a minute"
 Bruce hung up, slowly descended t' his library, and flashed on the lights
 For the first time he was reveale' pleinIy His was familiar type; bu at the same time the best type, toe He had the face and the body Of al athlete. a man who keeps himself fit and there was nothing mawkish or e1 feminate about him. It Is true tha men did look twice at Bruce's eye: set in a brown, clean-cut face, neve knowing exactly why they did s' They had startling potentialitie They were quite clear now, wid' awake and cool, yet they had
 strange depth of expression an shadow that might mean. somewhel beneath the bland and cool exterior,
 capa Eity for great emotions and pa
 stons,