Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-13
New Impressions of Familiar Scenes.

both as he entered il and later
on. a CITY Of unrealitieS. He
passed the hotel bus--a crazy
vehicle in which he had so often trav-
eled to and from the station. TINS
driver half recognized him in his super
Iatively handsome car and SIMPLY
stared. Il seemed impossible OF realiza-
ton that he should so often have occu-
pied that corner seat with neatly
hacked case of samples upon the roof
discussing business prospects perhaps
u1th a rival or maintaining nlysteri-
nus silence. He passed one Of the FAC
tories outside which he had often
waited so anxiousiy. saw an acquain-
lance and late rival. lettering there.
caught through the window glimpse
of the manufacturer hinself-~a TAT,
pudev little person, he seemed. nov
that he was devoid of the halo which
hung around the head of a desirable
account. He changed his mind about
rcinr to the hotel where he had been
accustomed TO stay--the idea OF mix
tnc with his old associates was sud-
denly distastefui to him-and turned
instead, through the arcl1ed gateway
of the old-fashioned tourist hotel OF
the place He garaged his car. ordered
8 room and strolled out presently to see
the city from new point OF view. he
ves no longer the young ambassador
OF commerce, absorbed in the success
or nonsuccess of his efforts and With
blind eyes for anything which might
distract him. He had slipped easily
enough into the ranks of these others
one of the little crowd of idle tourists
In search of objects of interest and
beauty. He walked with lighter foot
step as the city. unrolling itself before
him. presented a new charm and I'M
dreamed-of fascination.
His most poignant impressions as he
Etrolled along. were of soothing ana
very agreeable tranquility. He had no
appointments. no responsibilities. Leg
ends of large sales by his rivals could
nc longer disturb him. He wandered
round the Cathedral Close, conscious
that he had never before realized its
heauty-at any rate from an under
standing point of view. He fingered
for some time before the front. drew
back to q distant corner to appreciate
more fully the wonderful spire, and
finally passed on inevitably-this time,
however, approaching it from the lower
end-to the narrow-cobbled street OF
his destiny. Presently he came to a
standstill before that strangely Situ-
sive nail-studded door was firmly closed;
the blinds all down Even in the sun
slains, the place preserved for him its
sense of mystery. He fingered there for
several moments. Then he rang the
bell It was cnly perhaps during those
moments Of indecision that he realized
that his visit TO Norwich had been one
undertaken with definite purpose
There was a brief delay before tbs
door was opened and the woman who
appeared was evidently caretaker.
Is Lord Ardrington in?" Martin in
CURED.
The woman appeared surprised.
His lordsrip has not been here
since he left the nursing home" she
replied Its very seldom he's here
at all. anyway."
Where could I find him.
The woman studied her ouestionef
doubtfuI.y Martin. in those days. was
perhaps a little hard to place.
His loY5ship il at Ardrington Park.
is that far away" Martin per-
sisted.
About miles. His lordship isn't
seeing any one, though. Il wouldn,
be worth your while going over
Martin babe her good evening and
turned away. the heavy door swing
ing to behind him. At the top Of tire
street he paused and looked back. The
memory CT that evening and the life
which had lain behind it, so near in
time, so infinitely far in perspective
vas for the moment extraordinarily
vivid. He remembered the hesitation
which had come over him Just where
he stood. remembered the faint sense
Of adventure with which he had des-
cended the cobbled way. He recalled
the strange expression Of the white
faced butler. his dubious entrance into
the house. the curiously assorted CON-
pany, seated around the table agleam
with glass and silver More clearly
than anything else he remembered Lord
Ardrington with his hooking voice, his
air Of detachment from the Others.
He remembered. too. the climbing the
hill afteryard the gripping al his pack
81, the feyerish examination of the
notes under the gas Jet Of his bedroom
The haunting fear Of those first few
days had vanished. His money was
safely invested. his future his own He
vas one Of the few people in life tn
whom real adventure had come
He made his way back 70 the hotel,
inspected his room. took bath To get
III u LIE uks3 % lie JDNEflE%t Hfcf1G
an aper1tif IN the old-fashioned bar
paTior into which IN the old days 1e
had never ventured 70 make his way.
dined In the coffee room. rvhere he
treated himself 10 half q bottle Of the
best wire upon the list and received
much attention from the headwaitet
AfterHard he stroiled out into the
streets again. searching tentatively for
some OF his old sensations He de-
iiherately ezperimenteG upon himself
trying n carry cut the old program
20 respond ~ the advances ~ tbe
promena6lng goung factory ard shop
girls who thronged The principal
thoFouRhfares Two 81 them on>
psssably good looking-Fe took into
coy little bar parior 10 have drink
His stock II cf1af and small talk ho"-
ever. seemed 70 have deserted him
He had slipped cut Of biz place In thj:
world and presently the airls became
impatient and left him. He wandered
into a cinema and sat in solitary state
among the best seats Finally, with a.
effort he entered the snac.. 3-room O.
q hotel where he and his acquaintance
had nearly always finished their eve
nings The place was empty. Th'
young lady who waited upon him
an old acauaintance-welc hin
with q smile and seemed uflconsciou
Of ANYTHING unusual in his appearance
The gossip concerning his change @
fortunes apparently had not reached
her
Quiet this evening, he remarked
She nodded
These flne nights they sil like q
get into the country sne explained
Shouldn't mind II myself
He remembered suddenly that h
had once taken her on the river ate
more than usually successful Ga
He alluded To the circumstances an
aae too recalled il perfectly.
"Yeu always said that you VET
gclne TO take ne ~ the Eroads on
afternoon. she reminded MIN.