The Washington times., 1925-06-11

ORUT I'm choking for drink!
I blurted. "I came over on
purpose to get some and be where
I'd be safe and could relax"
There was resentment in my tone.
A Step Filled With POrtent.
Estelle sank into a chair and
looked up at me in a peculiar
sort of way, d way that 1 could
mt fathon. 1t was some little
time before she spoke, and then
said. ITO tell the truth, I'm chok-
Ing myself and my head aches
terribly. What's the difference!
Go on down. and get some. Lies
too short to be so miserablei"
shall make no attempt to ie-
scribe my nebulous recollections CT
the three days that followed. 1
mention it only because what
happened was Significant her,
aid of debaucheries to come. I
remained stupidity drunk for the
rest of that week, and it was
only by a violent effort that I
pulled myself away from it. Es-
telle became so i'll / was obliged
TO get doctor FOR her, and
left her under his care. On the
way going back to San, Francisco
on Sunday morning I trembled
and twitched all over. Ny hands
were palsied. In my mind I was
utterly wretched and hopeless and
seriously wondered where it
would all end.
IT was the first time I had
been on prolonged spree and
the only redeeming feature about
It was that I had succeeded in
winning three days of complete
oblivion and freedom from re-
straint. Also. / had satisfied, or
drowned, q chemical craving.
Despite my physical misery as
result. somehow I felt relieved
mentally. 1t is hard. very hard
20 explain.
Harry was In bed when,
reached home, taking his Sunday
morning extra. Ny coming In
aroused him and he jumped up
quickly. Briefly he told me that
my friends had been searching
overywhere for me and were
very much worried. He had told
them of my return from the
lecture trip and my sudden dis
appearance. Before I knew what
he was doing be was telephoning
about me and would not desist
when tried 70 stop him.
May Think What They Like"
But how am / going to ex-
plain2 Where shall tell them I
have been?a protested.
you won't have to explain"
he retorted. That's your bust
ness. They can think what they
like. The main thing is to let
they know you are home and all
right"
/ told Harry I had been terribly
drunk and that a felt shaky. He
proceeded to make strong black
coffee and kept up a running fire
Of funny comment.
Presently the telephone bell
rang, and when answered was
greeted with a CHEEKY Good
morning, Raffles." from Edith.
She was one Of the several per-
sons Harry had called up.
Are you alone, or is Mr..
Barbash still there?" she asked.
I told her Harry was still present
and that was under the weather
and must remain at home.
But I simply must see you"
she declared. "It's more than
seven weeks since saw you last"
She went right on, telling mo to
meet her at Blanco's the next
afternoon. I tried to evade the
appointment, but finally gave up.
Next morning when saw Older
he gave me a quick. penetrating
glance and then plunged right
into some plans ror special work
he had mapped out for me. I was
nightly relieved that he did not
upraid me, for sensed that he
knew. Besides, my voice was
husky and my hands still trem-
bled.
wanted to dodge the meeting
with Edith that afternoon, but
lacked the moral courage. She