Year: 1876

aHie iuhuucr Nno tntc Uuoy Ue-
tween him and met / felt uncom-
Portable. When his eye fell upon
me there was no glesm of recog-
milton. he did not remember that
we had met before.


"He did not materially alter his
position. he sat limp and spirit
less, as one completely crushed
Now ! saw plainly that there was
no artificial letbargic influence at
work in him. Now I discovered
the second element in the conten-
ton; it was extreme physical fa-
tigue. could still see the hunger
for action in his eye; he watched
the swiftly-traveling balls as though
he envied them; but bis heavy
limbs lay lifeless, as though there
were no power left TO rally them.
How was this condition to be ac-
counted fort Poverty could have
nothing to do with 1t. He wore
one ring which must have cost
more than many families have to
spend in year. His dress was o
little tossed and soiled, but Of the
most fashionable cut and materials.


Something far deeper than my
curiosity was now aroused, and for
the life OF me I could not keep my
eyes off him.


"At length the balls ceased 10
play; the PLAYERS took their leave |;
the lights we're turned down the
marker approached the weary man,
and asked him If he wished to
play. NO. in tremnlous voice,
out OF which all the volume and
spirit had departed. AS he utter
ed the word he rose heavily, came
with a slow pace round the table,
and entered the long passage. /
followed. AS he reached the outer
door I entered the passage. He
stood q moment looking out into
the fog, and then I heard him NUT
ter: 'The day will never come. III
go to the river


"To the river. To the river
with those weary limbs and pas
sion of restlessness eating his rea-
son away. 1t can mean only one
thing. TO the river, IL you like,
but not alone, III follow With
these thoughts, I fastened after
him.


"There was no great necessity
for caution. The fog and his In
tense pre-occupation made 1t IN
necessary for me to take unusual
care. I kept close to him, and fol-
lowed him through an intricate
network of narrow lanes. At
length We came into q broader
street, and I assumed, from . dip
in the ground, and a certain SEN
sation of coldness and vagueness
ahead, that we had entered the ap-
proach to q bridge. He walked
and / was about ten PAGES
behind. Presently the ground
ceased to fall. 1t became level
| missed the houses, and, looking
more closely, I made out Q low



"Still he hurried on. / drew
near to him. There was no know
ing the moment he would place his
hands on that low parapet and
vanlt into the obscure waters be-
meath. The perspiration stood out
on my forehead. I was on the
point Of rushing forward and seiz.
ing him when he drew up suddenly
and placed his hand on the parapet.
There was now no doubt Of his in
tention. Ilesped forward and tap
ped him smartly on the shoulder.


"He turned around and confront
ed me. We were standing under a
gas lamp. The light was feeble,
but quite enough to let me see the
expression Of his face. There was
no anger or annoyance in his eyes
He stared at me in q half wild,
half dull way, and did not seem to
ask or care why had touched him
Something in his aspect put me
ont Of conceit with my suicidal


theory for him. ! did not say th'


words l had arranged. His ap


pearance forbade me.


"'I am a stranger in London.


arrived here only this evening


Pardon me, but ! lost my way


Would you be good enough to Sc


me rightr


"He continued to look at me i


the same dull, unspeculative man