Browning chief. [volume] (Browning, Mont.) 1941-1953, 1941-02-07

told him was an idee fixe And the
worst part of it was that he was in
mortal terror Of betraying his aber-
ration to anyone he knew.
The stupendous triumph Of his new
play made him the greatest catch of
hostesses angling for him. He was
wined and dined by every importan.
literary and theatrical set and society,
and it was at one of these functions
that he saw the vacant chair!
When he got up, after the toast
masters speech, TO make an informal
response TO the general clamor, his
eyes were glued helplessly upon that
chair. How he could have achieved
witticism to evoke so much laughter.
he never knew, for he was gripped
throughout those moments by the hor-
ror that presently he would call atten-
ton to his brother Joel who was be-
lieve it or not, seated in that lonely,
empty place in the corner near the
walters entrance!
Afterwards, when he was in the
snow-Spun street outside the hotel
with his friend Ethan, the critic, the
perspiration was still clammy on his
back. Ethan prodded him good-hum-
whats the matter fella? Can't
you take it? The penalty of fame
female fingers on the forelock! Those
women almost tore you to shreds. No
wonder you look pale. Still an all, I'd
take it-along with some of your in
coming shekels. Being a critic isn't
exactly cricket" He sighed. Let's go
and round up a drink
Bright thought" said ]. Good of
you to think of it, Fred"
But what he was desolately think
iy,ry
rich country Joel was huddled in a
cold, rat-rm hallway, newspapers
wrapped about his body under a
threadbare coat, stealing an hours
sleep so that in the gray dawn he
might have enough strength, without
food, to set out again in search OF
work!
This is a dump" Ethan remarked
as they left the taxi to enter bar
in what he had previously described
as the East Awfuls." The East river
was hard by. The barroom was small
in everything but smells. 1--WE often
wondered" Ethan went on, when they
had been served their highballs, 'if
this wasn't where you got your type
for Leander Andrews. Do you recall
the placer"
"Leander-oh, yeh! Well, no. He
was, at that time. Pigment of my
imagination, nothing more"
Il repudiate the idea! He lived, my
boy, he lived!"
Ethan glanced about him. The place
was thick with stevedores, truck driv-
ers, 1ongshUemen. Suddenly Ethan
exclaimed and caught hold Of Us arm.
He nodded vehemently at a shabby
figure who was at that moment drift
ing toward the outer door.
Look! The spit an image of you.
as live and have my overcoat!"
But it was too late. The mans long,
erect back, clad In furtive gray. had
slipped out Of the door, and an inward
swirl of snow marked his going. J
had not seen his face.
J was on his feet at once. I've got
to catch him, Fred! See you later"
When emerged from the tavern.
the gray clad figure was already
half a block up the street. and by no
known speed could he have been over
taken, because instantly he was dis
solved in the dancing frenzy of
street light half-blinded with snow.
but not soul could he see in any
direction. He went back to join Ethan.
The fellow did look a little like
me-" he told the critic easily. II gave
him half a dollar"
Ethan stared. 'Well-that's the
height Of something! The damned
oonceit Of genius! Why don't you
leave a half dollar under your mirror
every morning when you shaver"
TOO costly. Fred. Let's have another
and get out"
The next day. took a plane for
Florida. He felt he needed change
and went to a drowsy little fishing
town. He made the mistake Of wiring
Full his address, and a day or two
later he received hamper Of forward
ed mail.
He had brought a panama hatful Of
sea shells, wonderful and strange, into
the porch of the modest little cottage
where he was staying. when his mod
est little landlady. Mrs. Thistlerigg,
came to him. all a-flutter.
CTo Be Continued