The Washington times., 1923-12-01
CHAPTER VIM.

4 SAAAAA 4e&AO AAAe
It was 10 o'clock on q crisp Mo-
vember morning. two years later,
when Philip made his large and
cumbersome way between the rail.
ings Of the real estate company
from whom he still rented desk
space, to his dim. dusty corner
at the farest end Of the office.
The metal sign. screwed to the
back Of the desk that faced the
office, was corroded and barely
readble now. One made out with
difficulty the inscription: Up.
Baldwin lnsura nee Notary Pub.
lic." A clerk or two greeted him
Familiarity as he passed their
rallied pens.
Morning Baldwin : How.
dy, Badly"
He answered them al genially,
good-naturedly. He was smoking
the end OF fine cigar he had
bought that morning on his way
downtown: he had had a fine
breakfast: he felt in excellent
spirits.
There was q neat stack OF let
tiers on his desk. Among them he
was pleased to find one nfrom his
sister. There was no hope of
her coming up to the ranch for
Christmas holidays as Rosemary
had urged: she would be Obliged
to remain in Beverly Hills; her
husband was no better,g- the
chances were he would never be
any better.
Dodo's quite helpless. yo,,
know, Phil. He never wants me
out Of his sight-won't let any Of
the servants touch him. I try to
do what / can to keep hin,
amused. but confess it's a trifle
wearing. I never go anywhere.
now. nor see anybody. Dodo
wants me for everything, and /
don't dare to leave him even for
moment. Poor dear-he CAM
even feed himself, and the doc.
tors think It possible he may live
in this terrible helplessness ten
years longer"
The handwriting on another
envelope was familiar, but Philin
could not place 1t. Bursting the
flap open with a fat forefinger.
he was surprised to find Com
stances signature at the bottom
OF the cracking sheet. He had
not heard from her for years.
My dear Philip. Paul has come
back. think you should see him.
He's with me here at the above
address. Come soon and ring ST.
monds' bell. Always affection.
ately, CONSTANCE"
Philip scanned the few words over
several times. Paul? Little Paul
turned up again? Constance had
implied something amiss; what the
deuce could it be? Was Paul In
trouble?
In the afternoon he boarded q
Turk street car and went uptown
In the direction Of the address Con.
stance had supplied. He found q
row Of grimy. bay-windowed, gray
houses all shouIdering one another,
as II throwing their combined
weight against the hill that de.
scended sharply upon them. 1912
was like the rest, except that in the
entrace way at the top Of the steep
flight Of wooden steps there was a
brief row OF bells above which, in
discolored metal containers, ap-
peared the names Of the four ten.
ants. Philip made out the rubbed
pencil name of "Simonds" and
pressed the celluloid button.
1t was a shabby neighborhood,
dilapidated and ugly. Across the
street the windows of a vacant
house were plastered with garish
posters Of a circus; a Chinese laun.
dry, further on. gave forth a pun.
gent odor OF stale steam, soiled
clothes and cheap cigarettes; the
cutters were choked with rubbish;
brisk afternoon breeze filled the
air with dust and street sweep
ings. At the foot Of the stairs on
which Philip stood a closed motor
car looked oddly out OF place. The
chauffeur. in spite of the wind.
shield, was exposed to the flying
dust, and bent his visored cap con.
stantiy to the quick gusts in q vain
attempt to protect his eyes.
Constance opened the door. For
moment she blinked at Phiiiu
without recognition. He gained
an impression Of shrunken Con
stance. older and grayer, the red
moles standing out In vivid con
trast to the wilderness Of her face
y Go Be Continued Monday)