The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-04-01

window as he entered the room and lighted his close-cropped yellow hair, but to me, in my dim corner, it seemed as though he brought the freshness of the whole outdoors with him. I was smiling even before he saw me. He crossed with a light, springy step, his head high his glance wandering confidently, and when we shook hands-yes, there was almost scent about him. Do you know the fresh, clean smell of Scotch heather after rain?
 He fingered carelessly, and I knew that was momently in peril of losing this young god of the outdoors. It was very strange. Of course, I kenw him well, but the Haili- dan of my knowledge was serious intro- spective, inclined to be a bit dull. Surely he had never been social prize, but now I fairly clung to him with: My dear fellow, my dear Hallidan, it's bully to see you again. Sit down, man and talk"
 Here I practically forced him into chair.
 "What will you drink?"
 Drink" he queried vaguely, as if he hardly caught my meaning. "Why, noth- ing at all. Don't need it, old-timer." v
 "A cigar, at least"
 And spoil this fine air? Open the win dow, Martin, and let's get lungfulv'
 "Tve known it to act like this before,' I unused.
 "What do you mean?'
 "A life in the open. I suppose you've been roughing it for bit, Hallidan? Now you come back fairly bubbling and brim- ming with life, like glass of champagne, by love"
 The laughter which I had caught glint- ing in his eyes the moment he entered the room now came in a hearty outbreak.
 "Roughing it? Man, I've been grinding in my office day and night, and this is the first moment I've been in the club for month. Roughing it! After all, you might call it thatp'
 And he laughed again. His good humor was utterly inextinguishable; it poured forth like the milk from the magic pitcher of the fable.
 Somewhere" I said with conviction, You've drunk of the fountain of strength, Halldan. You are changed; charged like that and I'll-"
 Every simple" he assured me. >"Ah you have to do is to understand that this little old world of ours is nothing but huge joke"
 That's devish cheap advice, Hallidan, but fellow has to see the jest before he can laugh"
 "Ill show you how. When you're feeling down in the mouth, take a deep breath, get up on your toes, and tell yourself that it's all just big show and staged for your benefit. You see? The rest are actors you're the audience. Or if you're envous of some great man, remember that the son of the great man undoubtedly knows that his father is simply lucky fool. If you're in love with woman"
 Here his laughter quite overcame him, but I was excited now and I watched my oppor- tunity to ask: "And what about love?"
 He cried, 'stammering in his mirth: Glove, Martin, the greatest joke of all. It was love-ha, ha, ha!-that started me on the new road; it was woman-ha, ha, ha, ha! who opened my eyes and started me laughing; and laughter-ha, ha, ha ha, ha, ha!-is the secret of success.~
 He wiped the tears from his eyes and continued, still chucking: "Love-woman- chuck-a-luck! Look at me! month ago was the most solemn, harG-working block head that ever sat up all night grinding on a case which he lost the next oay because the other lawyer knew how to pass the wink to the jury. came here to the club once a week. The rest of the time I worked. I never went out; people never asked me, in fact. One glimpse at my face told them