"Anyman，"criedshe，tothemutualdiscomfortofHelenPageandtheservants，"whothinksI’mlikethatmustn’tgetaway！
I’mnotlikethatandIknowit；butifhethinkssothat’sallIwant。AndmaybeImightbelikethat——ifanymanwouldhelp。"
Shegaveherattentiontothetelephoneand"Information。"
ShedemandedtobeinstantlyputintocommunicationwiththeDAILYREPUBLICandMr。SamWard。SheturnedagainuponHelenPage。
"I’mtiredofbeingcalledagoodsport，"sheprotested，"bymenwhoaren’thalfsogoodsportsasIam。I’mtiredofbeingtalkedtoaboutmoney——asthoughIwereastock—broker。
Thisman’sgotaheadonhisshoulders，andhe’sgottheshoulderstoo；andhe’sgotadarnedgood—lookinghead；andhethinksI’maministeringangelandasaint；andheputmeuponapedestalandmademedizzy——andIlikebeingmadedizzy；andI’mforhim！AndI’mgoingafterhim！"
"Bestill！"imploredHelenPage。"Anyonemightthinkyoumeantit！"Shenoddedviolentlyatthediscreetbacksofthemen—servants。
"Yegods，Parker！"criedAnitaFlagg。"Doesittakethreeofyoutopouracupoftea？Getoutofhere，andtelleverybodythatyouallthreecaughtmeintheactofproposingtoanAmericangentlemanoverthetelephoneandthatthebettingiseventhatI’llmakehimmarryme！"
Thefaithfulandsorelytrieddomesticsfledtowardthedoor。
"Andwhat’smore，"Anitahurledafterthem，"getyourbetsdownquick，forafterImeethimtheoddswillbeahundredtoone！"
HadtheREPUBLICbeenanafternoonpaper，Sammighthavebeenattheofficeandmighthavegonetothetelephone，andthingsmighthavehappeneddifferently；but，astheREPUBLIC
wasamorningpaper，theonlypersonintheofficewastheladywhoscrubbedthefloorsandsherefusedtogonearthetelephone。SoAnitaFlaggsaid，"I’llcallhimuplater，"andwenthappilyonherride，withherheartwarmwithloveforallthebeautifulworld；butlateritwastoolate。
Tokeephimselffit，SamWardalwayswalkedtotheoffice。OnthisparticularmorningHollisHolworthywaswalkinguptownandtheymetoppositethecathedral。
"You’retheverymanIwant，"saidHollworthyjoyously——
"you’vegottodecideabet。"
HeturnedandfellintostepwithSam。
"It’soneImadelastnightwithAnitaFlagg。Shethinksyoudidn’tknowwhoshewasyesterday，andIsaidthatwasridiculous。Ofcourseyouknew。Ibetheratheatreparty。"
ToSamitseemedhardlyfairthatsosoon，beforehisfreshwoundhadevenbeendressed，itshouldbetornopenbyimpertinentfingers；buthehadnorighttotakeoffense。Howcouldtheman，oranyoneelse，knowwhatSisterAnnehadmeanttohim？
"I’mafraidyoulose，"hesaid。HehaltedtogiveHolworthythehinttoleavehim，butHolworthyhadnosuchintention。
"Youdon’tsayso！"exclaimedthatyoungman。"Fancyoneofyouchapsbeingtakeninlikethat。"Ithoughtyouweretakingherin——gettingupastoryfortheSundaysupplement。"
Samshookhishead，nodded，andagainmovedon；buthewasnotyettoescape。"And，insteadofyourfoolingher，"
exclaimedHolworthyincredulously，"shewashavingfun，withyou！"
WithdifficultySamsmiled。
"Soitwouldseem，"hesaid。
"Shecertainlymadeanawfullyfunnystoryofit！"exclaimedHolworthyadmiringly。"Ithoughtshewasmakingitup——shemusthavemadesomeofitup。ShesaidyouaskedhertotakeadayoffinNewYork。Thatisn’tsoisit？"
"Yes，that’sso。"
"ByJove！"criedHolworthy——andthatyouinvitedhertoseethemoving—pictureshows？"
Sam，consciousofthedearlyboughtfrontrowseatsinhispocket，smiledpleasantly。
"DidshesayIsaidthat——oryou？"heasked"Shedid。"
"Well，then，Imusthavesaidit。"
Holworthyroaredwithamusement。
"AndthatyouinvitedhertofeedpeanutstothemonkeysattheZoo？"
Samavoidedthelittleman’spryingeyes。
"Yes；Isaidthattoo。"
"AndIthoughtshewasmakingitup！"exclaimedHolworthy。
"Wedidlaugh。Youmustseethefunofityourself。"
LestSamshouldfailtodosoheproceededtoelaborate。
"YoumustseethefuninamantryingtomakeadatewithAnitaFlagg——justasifshewerenobody！"
"Idon’tthink，"saidSam，"thatwasmyidea。"Hewavedhisstickatapassingtaxi。"I’mlate，"hesaid。HeabandonedHollisonthesidewalk，chucklingandgrinningwithdelight，andunconsciousofthemischiefhehadmade。
Anhourlaterattheoffice，whenSamwaswaitingforanassignment，thetelephoneboyhurriedtohim，hiseyeslitwithexcitement。
"You’rewantedonthe’phone，"hecommanded。Hisvoicedroppedtoanawedwhisper。"MissAnitaFlaggwantstospeaktoyou！"
ThebloodranleapingtoSam’sheartandface。ThenherememberedthatthiswasnotSisterAnnewhowantedtospeaktohim，butawomanhehadnevermet。
"Sayyoucan’tfindme，"hedirected。Theboygasped，fled，andreturnedprecipitately。
"Theladysaysshewantsyourtelephonenumber——saysshemusthaveit。"
"Tellheryoudon’tknowit；tellherit’sagainsttherules——andhangup。"
Tenminuteslaterthetelephoneboy，inthestrictestconfidence，hadinformedeverymemberofthelocalstaffthatAnitaFlagg——therich，thebeautiful，thedaring，theoriginaloftheRedCrossstoryofthatmorning——hadtwicecalledupSamWardandbythatyoungmanhadbeenthrowndown——andthrownhard！
ThatnightElliott，themanagingeditor，sentforSam；andwhenSamenteredhisofficehefoundalsothereWalsh，theforeigneditor，withwhomhewasacquaintedonlybysight。
ElliottintroducedthemandtoldSamtobeseated。
"Ward，"hebeganabruptly，"I’msorrytoloseyou，butyou’vegottogo。It’sonaccountofthatstoryofthismorning。"
Sammadenosign，buthewasdeeplyhurt。Fromapaperhehadservedsoloyallythisseemedscurvytreatment。Itstruckhimalsothat，consideringthespiritinwhichthestoryhadbeenwritten，itwascausinghimmorekindsoftroublethanwasquitefair。Thelossofpositiondidnotdisturbhim。InthelastmonthtoomanymanagingeditorshadtriedtostealhimfromtheREPUBLICforhimtofeelanxiousastothefuture。
Soheacceptedhisdismissalcalmly，andcouldsaywithoutresentment：
"LastnightIthoughtyoulikedthestory，sir？
"Idid，"returnedElliott；"IlikeditsomuchthatI’msendingyoutoabiggerplace，whereyoucangetbiggerstories。WewantyoutoactasourspecialcorrespondentinLondon。Mr。Walshwillexplainthework；andifyou’llgoyou’llsailnextWednesday。"
AfterhistalkwiththeforeigneditorSamagainwalkedhomeonair。Hecouldnotbelieveitwasreal——thatitwasactuallytohimithadhappened；forhereafterhewastowitnessthemarchofgreatevents，tocomeincontactwithmenofinternationalinterests。InsteadofreportingwhatwasofconcernonlyfromtheBatterytoForty—seventhStreet，hewouldnowtellNewYorkwhatwasofinterestinEuropeandtheBritishEmpire，andsotothewholeworld。Therewasonedrawbackonlytohishappiness——therewasnoonewithwhomhemightdivideit。Hewantedtocelebratehisgoodfortune；hewantedtoshareitwithsomeonewhowouldunderstandhowmuchitmeanttohim，whowouldreallycare。HadSisterAnnelived，shewouldhaveunderstood；andhewouldhavelaidhimselfandhisnewpositionatherfeetandbeggedhertoacceptthem——beggedhertorunawaywithhimtothistremendousandterrifyingcapitaloftheworld，andstartthenewlifetogether。
Amongallthewomenheknew，therewasnonetotakeherplace。CertainlyAnitaFlaggcouldnottakeherplace。Notbecauseshewasrich，notbecauseshehadjeeredathimandmadehimalaughing—stock，notbecausehisadmiration——andheblushedwhenherememberedhowopenly，howingenuouslyhehadshownittoher——meantnothing；butbecausethegirlhethoughtshewas，thegirlhehadmadedreamsaboutandwantedtomarrywithoutamoment’snotice，wouldhaveseenthatwhatheoffered，ridiculousasitwaswhenofferedtoAnitaFlagg，wasnotridiculouswhenofferedsincerelytoatired，nerve—
worn，overworkednurseinahospital。ItwasbecauseAnitaFlagghadnotseenthatthatshecouldnotnowmakeuptohimforthegirlhehadlost，eventhoughsheherselfhadinspiredthatgirlandforadaygivenherexistence。
Hadheknownit，theAnitaFlaggofhisimaginingwasjustasunlikeandasunfairtotherealgirlasitwaspossiblefortwopeopletobe。HisAnitaFlagghehadcreatedoutofthethingshehadreadofherinimpertinentSundaysupplementsandfromtheimpressionhehadbeengivenofherbythelittleass，Holworthy。Shewasnotatalllikethat。Eversinceshehadcomeofageshehadbeenbesetbysycophantsandflatterers，botholdandyoung，bothmenandgirls，andbymenwhowantedhermoneyandbymenwhowantedher。Anditwasbecauseshegotthemotivesofthelattertwoconfusedthatshewassooftenhurtandsaidsharp，bitterthingsthatmadeherappearhardandheartless。
Asamatteroffact，inapproachingherinthebeliefthathewasaddressinganentirelydifferentperson，SamhadgotnearertotherealAnitaFlaggthanhadanyotherman。Andso——whenonarrivingattheofficethenextmorning，whichwasaFriday，hereceivedatelegramreading，"Arrivingto—
morrownine—thirtyfromGreenwich；thedaycannotbegintoosoon；don’tforgetyoupromisedtomeetme。AnitaFlagg"——hewasabletoreply："Extremelysorry；butpromisemadetoadifferentperson，whounfortunatelyhassincedied！"’
WhenAnitaFlaggreadthistelegramthereleapedtoherlovelyeyestearsthatsprangfromself—pityandwoundedfeelings。Sheturnedmiserably，appealinglytoHelenPage。
"Butwhydoeshedoittome？"Hertonewasthatofthebewilderedchildwhohasstruckherheadagainstthetable，andfromthenaughtytable，withoutcauseorprovocation，hasreceivedthedevilofabump。
BeforeMissPagecouldventureuponanexplanation，AnitaFlagghadchangedintoaveryangryyoungwoman。
"Andwhat’smore，"sheannounced，"hecan’tdoittome！"
Shesenthertelegrambackagainasitwas，wordforword，butthistimeitwassigned，SisterAnne。"
Inanhourtheanswercame："SisterAnneisthepersontowhomIrefer。Sheisdead。"
Samwasnotaltogetherateaseattheoutcomeofhisadventure。Itwasnotinhisnaturetoberude——certainlynottoawoman，especiallynottothemostbeautifulwomanhehadeverseen。For，whetherhernamewasAnitaorAnne，aboutherbeautytherecouldbenoargument；butheassuredhimselfthathehadactedwithinhisrights。Agirlwhocouldseeinawell—meantoffertobekindonlyasubjectforridiculewasofnointeresttohim。Nordidhertelegramsinsistinguponcontinuingtheiracquaintanceflatterhim。Ashereadthem，theyshowedonlythatshelookeduponhimasoneentirelyoutofherworld——asonewithwhomshecoulddoanunconventionalthingandmakeagoodstoryaboutitlater，knowingthatitwouldbeacceptedasoneofheramusingcaprices。
Hewasdeterminedhewouldnotlendhimselftoanysuchperformance。And，besides，henolongerwasafoot—loose，happy—go—luckyreporter。Henolongerneedseekforexperiencesandmaterialtoturnintocopy。Hewasnowamanwitharesponsibleposition——onewhosoonwouldbeconferringwithcabinetministersandputtingambassadorsAttheirease。
Hewonderedifabeautifulheiress，whosehandwassoughtinmarriagebythenobilityofEngland，wouldunderstandtheimportanceofaLondoncorrespondent。Hehopedsomeonewouldtellher。Helikedtothinkofherasbeingconsiderablyimpressedandalittleunhappy。
Saturdaynighthewenttothetheatreforwhichhehadpurchasedtickets。Andhewentalone，fortheplacethatSisterAnnewastohaveoccupiedcouldnotbefilledbyanyotherperson。Itwouldhavebeensacrilege。Atleast，soitpleasedhimtopretend。Andallthroughdinner，whichheatealoneatthesamerestauranttowhichhehadintendedtakingher，hecontinued，topretendshewaswithhim。Andatthetheatre，wheretherewasgoingforwardthemostpopularofallmusicalcomedies，theseatnexttohim，whichtotheaudience，appearedwastefullyempty，wastohimfilledwithhergraciouspresence。ThatSisterAnnewasnotthere——thattheprettyromancehehadwovenaboutherhadendedindisaster——filled，himwithrealregret。Hewasgladhewas，，leavingNewYork。Hewasgladhewasgoing，wherenothingwouldremindhimofher。Andthenheglancedup——andlookedstraightintohereyes！
Hewasseatedinthefrontrow，directlyontheaisle。TheseatSisterAnnewassupposedtobeoccupyingwasonhisright，andafewseatsfarthertohisrightrosethestageboxandinthestagebox，andinthestagebox，almostuponthestage，andwiththeglowofthefoot—lightsfullinherface，wasAnitaFlagg，smilingdelightedlydownonhim。Therewereotherswithher。Hehadaconfusedimpressionofbulgingshirt—fronts，andshiningsilks，anddiamonds，anddroopingplumesuponenormoushats。HethoughtherecognizedLordDeptfordandHolworthy；buttheonlypersonhedistinguishedclearlywasAnitaFlagg。Thegirlwasallinblackvelvet，whichwasdrawntoherfigurelikeawetbathingsuit；roundherthroatwasasinglestringofpearls，andonherhairofgolden—rodwasagreathatofblackvelvet，shapedlikeabell，withthecurvinglipsofalily。AndfrombeneathitsbrimAnitaFlagg，sittingrigidlyerectwithherwhite—glovedhandsrestinglightlyonherknee，wasgazingdownathim，smilingwithpleasure，withsurprise，withexcitement。
Whenshesawthat，inspiteofheralteredappearance，herecognizedher，shebowedsoviolentlyandbentherheadsoeagerlythatabovehertheostrichplumesdippedandcourtesiedlikewheatinastorm。ButSamneitherbowednorcourtesied。Instead，heturnedhisheadslowlyoverhisleftshoulder，asthoughhethoughtshewasspeakingnottohimbutsomeonebeyondhim，acrosstheaisle。Andthenhiseyesreturnedtothestageanddidnotagainlooktowardher。Itwasnotthecutdirect，butitwasacutthathurt；andintheirturntheeyesofMissFlaggquicklysoughtthestage。
Atthemoment，thepeopleintheaudiencehappenedtobelaughing；andsheforcedasmileandthenlaughedwiththem。
OutofthecornerofhiseyeSamcouldnothelpseeingherprofileexposedpitilesslyintheglowofthefoot—lights；
sawherlipstremblelikethoseofachildabouttocry；andthensawtheforced，hardsmile——andheardherlaughlightlyandmechanically。
"That’sallshecares。"hetoldhimself。
Itseemedtohimthatinallheheardofher，ineverythingshedid，shekeptrobbinghimstillfurtherofallthatwasdeartohiminSisterAnne。
Forfiveminutes，consciousofthefoot—lights，MissFlaggmaintaineduponherlovelyfaceafixedandintentexpression，andthenslowlyandunobtrusivelydrewbacktoaseatintherearofthebox。Inthe’darkestrecessesshefoundHolworthy，shutofffromaviewofthestagebyabarrierofwomen’shats。
"YourfriendMr。Ward，"shebeganabruptly，inawhisper，"istherudest，mostill—bredpersonIevermet。WhenItalkedtohimthe"otherdayIthoughthewasnice。Hewasnice，Buthehasbehavedabominably——likeaboor——likeasulkychild。Hashenosenseofhumor？BecauseIplayedajokeonhim，isthatanyreasonwhyheshouldhurtme？"
"Hurtyou？"exclaimedlittleHolworthyinamazement。"Don’tberidiculous！Howcouldhehurtyou？Whyshouldyoucarehowrudeheis？Ward’sacleverfellow，buthefancieshimself。
He’sconceited。He’stoogood—looking；andalotofsillywomenhavemadesuchafussoverhim。Sowhenoneofthemlaughsathimhecan’tunderstandit。That’sthetrouble。I
couldseethatwhenIwastellinghim。"
"Tellinghim！"repeatedMissFlagg——"Tellinghimwhat？"
"Aboutwhatafunnystoryyoumadeofit，"explainedHolworthy。"Abouthishavingthenervetoaskyoutofeedthemonkeysandtolunchwithhim。"
MissFlagginterruptedwithagaspingintakeofherbreath。
"Oh！"shesaidsoftly。"So—soyoutoldhimthat，didyou？
And——whatelsedidyoutellhim？"，"Onlywhatyoutoldus——thathesaid’thedaycouldnotbegintoosoon’；thathesaidhewouldn’tletyoubeamanicureandwashthehandsofmenwhoweren’tfittowashthestreetsyouwalkedon。"
Therewasapause。
"DidItellyouhesaidthat？"breathedAnitaFlagg。
"Youknowyoudid，"saidHolworthy。
Therewasanotherpause。
"Imusthavebeenmad！"saidthegirl。
TherewasalongerpauseandHolworthyshifteduneasily。
"I’mafraidyouareangry，"heventured。
"Angry！"exclaimedMissFlagg。"IshouldsayIwasangry，butnotwithyou。I’mverymuchpleasedwithyou。AttheendoftheactI’mgoingtoletyoutakemeoutintothelobby。"
Withhisarmstightlyfolded，Samsatstaringunhappilyatthestageandseeingnothing。HewassorryforhimselfbecauseAnitaFlagghaddestroyedhisidealofasweetandnoblewoman——andhewassorryforMissFlaggbecauseamanhadbeenrudetoher。Thathehappenedtobethatmandidnotmakehissorrowandindignationthelessintense；and，indeed，somiserablewasheandsomiserablewerehislooks，thathisfriendsonthestageconsideredsendinghimanote，offering，ifhewouldtakehimselfoutofthefrontrow，togivehimbackhismoneyattheboxoffice。Samcertainlywishedtotakehimselfaway；buthedidnotwanttoadmitthathewasmiserable，thathehadbehavedill，thatthepresenceofAnitaFlaggcouldspoilhisevening——could，intheslightestdegreeaffecthim。Sohesat，completelywretched，feelingthathewasinafalseposition；thatifhewereitwashisownfault；thathehadactedlikeanassandabrute。Itwasnotacheerfulfeeling。
Whenthecurtainfellhestillremainedseated。Heknewbeforethesecondacttherewasaninterminablewait；buthedidnotwanttochancerunningintoHolworthyinthelobbyandhetoldhimselfitwouldberudetoabandonSisterAnne。
ButhenowwasnotsoconsciousoftheimaginarySisterAnneasoftheactualboxpartyonhisnearright，whowerelaughingandchatteringvolubly。Hewonderedwhethertheylaughedathim——whetherMissFlaggwereagainentertainingthemathisexpense；againmakinghisadvancesappearridiculous。Hewassosureofitthatheflushedindignantly。Hewasgladhehadbeenrude。
Andthen，athiselbow，therewastherustleofsilk；andabeautifulfigure，allinblackvelvet，toweredabovehim，thencrowdedpasthim，andsankintotheemptyseatathisside。Hewastoostartledtospeak——andMissAnitaFlaggseemedtounderstandthatandtowishtogivehimtime；for，withoutregardinghimintheleast，andasthoughtoestablishthefactthatshehadcometostay，shebegancalmlyanddeliberatelytoremovethebell—likehat。Thisaccomplished，shebenttowardhim，hereyeslookingstraightintohis，hersmilereproachinghim。Inthefamiliartoneofanoldanddearfriendshesaidtohimgently：
"Thisisthedayyouplannedforme。Don’tyouthinkyou’vewastedquiteenoughofit？"
Samlookedbackintotheeyes，andsawinthemnotraceoflaughterorofmockery，but，instead，gentlereproofandappeal——andsomethingelsethat，inturn，beggedofhimtobegentle。
Foramoment，toodisturbedtospeak，helookedather，miserably，remorsefully。
"It’snotAnitaFlaggatall，"hesaid。"It’sSisterAnnecomebacktolifeagain！"Thegirlshookherhead。
"No；it’sAnitaFlagg。I’mnotabitlikethegirlyouthoughtyoumetandIdidsayallthe，thingsHolworthytoldyouIsaid；butthatwasbeforeIunderstood——beforeIreadwhatyouwroteaboutSisterAnne——aboutthekindofmeyouthoughtyou’dmet。WhenIreadthatIknewwhatsortofamanyouwere。Iknewyouhadbeenreallykindandgentle，andI
knewyouhaddugoutsomethingthatIdidnotknowwasthere——thatnooneelsehadfound。AndIrememberedhowyoucalledmeSister。Imeanthewayyousaidit。AndIwantedtohearitagain。Iwantedyoutosayit。"
Sheliftedherfacetohis。Shewasverynearhim——sonearthathershoulderbrushedagainsthisarm。Intheboxabovethemherfriends，scandalizedandamused，werewatchingherwiththegreatestinterest。Halfofthepeopleinthenowhalf—emptyhousewerewatchingthemwiththegreatestinterest。Tothem，betweenreadingadvertisementsontheprogrammeandwatchingAnitaFlaggmakingdesperatelovetoaluckyyouthinthefrontrow，therewasnoquestionofwhichtochoose。
Theyoungpeopleinthefrontrowdidnotknowtheywereobserved。Theywerealone——asmuchaloneasthoughtheywereseatedinabiplane，sweepingabovetheclouds。
"Sayitagain，"promptedAnitaFlagg"Sister。"
"Iwillnot！"returnedtheyoungmanfirmly。"ButI’llsaythis，"hewhispered："I’llsayyou’rethemostwonderful，themostbeautiful，andthefinestwomanwhohaseverlived！"
AnitaFlagg’seyeslefthisquickly；and，withherheadbent，shestaredatthebassdrumintheorchestra。
"Idon’tknow，"shesaid，"butthatsoundsjustasgood。"
Whenthecurtainwasabouttoriseshetoldhimtotakeherbacktoherbox，sothathecouldmeetherfriendsandgoonwiththemtosupper；butwhentheyreachedtherearofthehouseshehalted。
"Wecanseethisact，"shesaid，"or——mycar’sinfrontofthetheatre——wemightgototheparkandtakeaturnortwoorthree。Whichwouldyouprefer？"
"Don’tmakemelaugh！"saidSam。
Astheysatalltogetheratsupperwiththoseoftheboxparty，butpayingnoattentiontothemwhatsoever，AnitaFlaggsighedcontentedly。
"There’sonlyonething，"shesaidtoSam，"thatismakingmeunhappy；andbecauseitissuchsadnewsIhaven’ttoldyou。
Itisthis：IamleavingAmerica。IamgoingtospendthewinterinLondon。IsailnextWednesday。"
"Mybusinessistogathernews，"saidSam，butinallmylifeInevergatheredsuchgoodnewsasthat。"
"Goodnews！"exclaimedAnita。
"Because，"explainedSam，"Iamleaving，America——amspendingthewinterinEngland。IamsailingonWednesday。
No；Ialsoamunhappy；butthatisnotwhatmakesmeunhappy。"
"Tellme，"beggedAnita。
"Someday，"saidSam。
Thedayhechosetotellherwasthefirstdaytheywereatsea——astheyleanedupontherail，watchingFireIslanddisappear。
"Thisismyunhappiness，"saidSam——andhepointedtoanameonthepassengerlist。Itwas："TheEarlofDeptford，andvalet。""Andbecauseheisonboard！"
AnitaFlagggazedwithinterestatapursuingsea—gull。
"Heisnotonboard，"shesaid。"Hechangedtoanotherboat。"
Samfeltthatbyawordfromheragreatweightmightbeliftedfromhissoul。Helookedatherappealingly——hungrily。
"Whydidhechange？"hebegged。
AnitaFlaggshookherheadinwonder。Shesmiledathimwithamuseddespair。
"Isthatallthatisworryingyou？"shesaid。
Chapter2。THEGRANDCROSSOFTHECRESCENT
Ofsomecollegestudentsithasbeensaidthat，inordertopasstheirexaminations，theywilldeceiveandcheattheirkindprofessors。Thismayormaynotbetrue。Oneonlycanshudderandpasshurriedlyon。Butwhateverothersmayhavedone，whenyoungPeterHallowellinhissenioryearcameupforthosefinalexaminationswhich，shouldhepassthemevenbyanose，wouldgainhimhisdegree，hedidnotcheat。Hemayhavebeentoohonest，tooconfident，toolazy，butPeterdidnotcheat。Itwastheprofessorswhocheated。
AtStillwaterCollege，oneachsubjectonwhichyouareexaminedyoucanscoreapossiblehundred。Thatmeansperfection，andin，thebriefhistoryofStillwater，whichisavery，newcollege，onlyonemanhasattainedit。Aftergraduatinghe"acceptedaposition"inanasylumfortheinsane，fromwhichhewas，promotedlatertothepoor—house，wherehedied。ManyStillwaterundergraduatesstudiedhiscareerand，lesttheyalsoshouldattainperfection，wereafraidtostudyanythingelse。AmongthesePeterwasbyfarthemostafraid。
ThemarkingsystematStillwaterisasfollows：Ifinallthesubjectsinwhichyouhavebeenexaminedyourmarksaddedtogethergiveyouanaverageofninety，youarepassed"withhonors"；ifofseventy—five，youpass"withdistinction"；ifOffifty，Youjust"pass。"Itisnotunlikethegrocer’sniceadjustmentoffresheggs，goodeggs，andeggs。ThewholecollegeknewthatifPetergotinamongtheeggshewouldbelucky，buttheprofessorsandinstructorsofStillwater’weredeterminedthat，nomatterwhatyoungHallowellmightdotopreventit，theywouldseethathepassedhisexaminations。Andtheyconstitutedthejuryofawards。TheirinterestinPeterwasnotbecausetheylovedhimsomuch，butbecauseeachlovedhisownvine—coveredcottage，hissalary，andhisdignifiedtitlethemore。AndeachknewthatthatoneofthefacultywhodaredtoflunkthesonofoldmanHallowell，whohadendowedStillwater，whosupportedStillwater，andwhomightbeexpectedtogoonsupportingStillwaterindefinitely，mightalsoatthesametimehandinhisofficialresignation。
ChancellorBlack，theheadofStillwater，wasanup—to—datecollegepresident。Ifhedidnotactuallyrunaftermoneyhewentwheremoneywas，anditwasnothishabittobedownrightrudetothosewhopossessedit。Andifanythree—
thousand—dollar—a—yearprofessor，throughatoostrictrespectforStillwater’sstandardsoflearning，shouldlosetothatinstitutionahalf—million—dollarobservatory，swimming—pool，orgymnasium，hewasthesortofcollegepresident，whowouldseetoitthatthecollegelostalsotheservicesofthattooconscientiousinstructor。
Hedidnotputthisinwritingorinwords，butjustbeforetheJuneexaminations，whenon，thecampushemetoneofthefaculty，hewouldinquirewithkindlyinterestastothestandingofyoungHallowell。
"Thatistoobad！"hewouldexclaim，but，moreinsorrowthaninanger。"Still，Ihopetheboycanpullthrough。Heishisdearfather’spride，andhisfather’sheartissetuponhisson’sobtaininghisdegree。Letushopehewillpullthrough。"ForfouryearseveryprofessorhadbeenpullingPeterthrough，andtheconscienceofeachhadbecomecalloused。Theyhadonlyoncemoretoshovehimthroughandtheywouldbefreeofhimforever。Andso，althoughtheydidnotconspiretogether，eachknewthatofthefiringsquadthatwastoaimitsriflesat，Peter，HISriflewouldholdtheblankcartridge。
TheonlyoneofthemwhodidnotknowthiswasDoctorHenryGilman。DoctorGilmanwastheprofessorofancientandmodernhistoryatStillwater，andgreatlyrespectedandloved。Healsowastheauthorofthosewell—knowntext—books，"TheFoundersofIslam，"and"TheRiseandFalloftheTurkishEmpire。"Thislatterwork，infivevolumes，hadbeennotunfavorablycomparedtoGibbon’s"DeclineandFalloftheRomanEmpire。"Theoriginalnewspapercomment，datedsomethirtyyearsback，thedoctorhadpreserved，andwouldproduceit，nowsomewhatfrayedandworn，andreadittovisitors。Heknewitbyheart，buttohimitalwayspossessedacontemporaryandnewsinterest。
"Hereisareviewofthehistory，"hewouldsay——healwaysreferredtoitas"the"history——"thatIcameacrossinmyTRANSCRIPT。"
IntheeyesofDoctorGilmanthirtyyearswassobriefaperiodthatitwasasthoughtheclippinghadbeenprintedthepreviousafter—noon。
Themembersofhisclasswhowereexaminedonthe"RiseandFall，"andwhoinvariablycametogriefoverit，referredtoitbrieflyastheFall，"sometimesfeelinglyas"the……
Fall。"The"historybeganwhenConstantinoplewasByzantium，skippedlightlyoversixcenturiestoConstantine，andinthelasttwoVolumesfinisheduptheMohammedswiththedownfallofthefourthoneandthecomingofSuleiman。SinceSuleiman，DoctorGilmandidnotrecognizeTurkeyasbeingonthemap。
WhenhishistorysaidtheTurkishEmpirehadfallen，thentheTurkishEmpirefell。OnceChancellorBlacksuggestedthatheaddasixthvolumethatwouldcoverthelastthreecenturies。
"InahistoryofTurkeyissuedasatext—book，"saidthechancellor，"IthinktheRussian—TurkishWarshouldbeincluded。"
DoctorGilman，frombehindhisgold—rimmedspectacles，gazedathiminmildreproach。"ThewarintheCrimea！"heexclaimed。"Why，Iwasaliveatthetime。Iknowaboutit。
Thatisnothistory。"
Accordingly，itfollowedthattoamanwhosincetheseventeenthcenturyknewofnoevent，ofinterest，CyrusHallowell，ofthemeat—packers’trust，wasnotanimposingfigure。AndsuchamanthesonofCyrusHallowellwasbutanignorantyoungsavage，towhom"the"historycertainlyhadbeenaclosedbook。AndsowhenPeterreturnedhisexaminationpaperinaconditionalmostasspotlessasthatinwhichhehadreceivedit，DoctorGilmancarefullyandconscientiously，withmalicetowardnoneand，withnothoughtofthemorrow，marked"five。"
EachoftheotherprofessorsandinstructorshadmarkedPeterfifty。IntheirfearofChancellorBlacktheydarednotgivetheboyless，buttheyrefusedtobeslavestotheextentofcreditinghimwithasinglepointhigherthanwasnecessarytopasshim。ButDoctorGilman’sfivecompletelyknockedouttherequiredaverageoffifty，andyoungPeterwas"found"
andcouldnotgraduate。Itwasanawfulbusiness！TheonlysonoftheonlyHallowellrefusedadegreeinhisfather’sownprivatecollege——thesonofthemanwhohadbuilttheHallowellMemorial，thenewLaboratory，theAnnaHallowellChapel，theHallowellDormitory，andtheHallowellAthleticField。WhenonthebulletinboardofthedimhalloftheMemorialtohisdepartedgrandfatherPeterreadofhisowndisgraceanddownfall，thelightthestained—glasswindowcastuponhisnosewasofnosicklieragreenthanwasthenoseitself。NotthatPeterwantedanA。M。oranA。B。，notthathedesiredlaurelshehadnotwon，butbecausetheyoungmanwasafraidofhisfather。Andhehadcausetobe。FatherarrivedatStillwaterthenextmorning。TheinterviewsthatfollowedmadeStillwaterhistory。
"Mysonisnotanass！"iswhatHallowellseniorissaidtohavesaidtoDoctorBlack。"Andifinfouryearsyouandyourfacultycannotgivehimtherudimentsofaneducation，Iwillsendhimtoacollegethatcan。AndI’llsendmymoneywhereIsendPeter。"
InreplyChancellorBlackcouldhavesaidthatitwasthefaultofthesonandnotofthecollege；hecouldhavesaidthatwherethreemenhadfailedtograduateonehundredandeightyhadnot。Butdidhesaythat？Oh，no，hedidnotsaythat！Hewasnotthatsortof，acollegepresident。Instead，heremainedcalmandsympathetic，andlikeaconspiratorinacomicoperaglancedapprehensivelyroundhis，study。Heloweredhisvoice。
"Therehasbeencontemptibleworkhere，"hewhispered——"spiteandameanspiritofreprisal。Ihavebeenmakingasecretinvestigation，andIfindthatthisblowatyoursonandyou，andatthegoodnameofourcollegewasstruckbyoneman，amanwithagrievance——DoctorGilman。DoctorGilmanhasrepeatedlydesiredmetoraisehissalary。"Thisdidnothappentobetrue，butinsuchacrisisDotorBlackcouldnotaffordtobetooparticular。
"Ihaveseennoreasonforraisinghissalary——andthereyouhavetheexplanation。Inrevengehehasmadethisattack。Butheovershothismark。Incausingustemporaryembarrassmenthehasbroughtabouthisowndownfall。Ihavealreadyaskedforhisresignation。"
EverydayintheweekHallowellwasafair，saneman，butonthisparticulardayhewaswounded，hisspiritwashurt，hisself—esteemhumiliated。Hewasinastateofmindtobelieveanythingratherthanthathissonwasanidiot。
"Idon’twantthemandischarged，"heprotested，"justbecausePeterislazy。ButifDoctorGilmanwasmovedbypersonalconsiderations，ifhesacrificedmyPeterinordertogeteven……"
"That，"exclaimedBlackinahorrifiedwhisper，"isexactlywhathedid！Yourgenerositytothecollegeiswellknown。
YouarerecognizedalloverAmericaasitspatron。AndhebelievedthatwhenIrefusedhimanincreaseinsalaryitwasreallyyouwhorefusedit——andhestruckatyouthroughyourson。Everybodythinksso。Thecollegeisonfirewithindignation。AndlookatthemarkhegavePeter！Five！Thatinitselfshowsthemalice。Fiveisnotamark，itisaninsult！Noone，certainlynotyourbrilliantson——lookhowbrilliantlyhemanagedtheglee—clubandfoot—balltour——isstupidenoughtodeservefive。No，DoctorGilmanwenttoofar。Andhehasbeenjustlypunished！"
WhatHallowellseniorwaswillingtobelieveofwhatthechancellortoldhim，andhisopinionofthematterasexpressedtoPeter，differedmaterially。
"Theytellme，"heconcluded，"thatinthefalltheywillgiveyouanotherexamination，andifyoupassthen，youwillgetyourdegree。Noonewillknowyou’vegotit。They’llslipittoyououtoftheside—doorlikeacoldpotatotoatramp。
Theonlythingpeoplewillknowisthatwhenyourclassmatesstoodupandgottheirparchments——thethingthey’dbeenworkingforfouryears，theonlyreasonfortheirgoingtocollegeatall——YOUwerenotamongthosepresent。That’syourfault；butifyoudon’tgetyourdegreenextfallthatwillbemyfault。I’vesupportedyouthroughcollegeandyou’vefailedtodeliverthegoods。Nowyoudeliverthemnextfall，oryoucansupportyourself。"
"Thatwillbeallright，"saidPeterhumbly；"I’llpassnextfall。"
"I’mgoingtomakesureofthat，"saidHallowellsenior。"To—
morrowyouwilltakethosehistorybooksthatyoudidnotopen，especiallyGilman’s’RiseandFall，’whichitseemsyouhavenotevenpurchased，andyouwilltravelfortheentiresummerwithaprivatetutor……"
Peter，whohadpersonallyconductedthefoot—ballandbase—
ballteamsoverhalfoftheMiddleStatesanddailybulliedandbrowbeatthem，protestedwithindignation。"WON’Ttravelwithaprivatetutor！"
"IfIsayso，"returnedHallowellseniorgrimly，"you’lltravelwithagovernessandatrainednurse，andwearastraitjacket。Andyou’llcontinuetowearituntilyoucanrecitethehistoryofTurkeybackward。Andinorderthatyoumayknowitbackward——andforwardyouwillspendthissummerinTurkey——inConstantinople——untilIsendyoupermissiontocomehome。"
"Constantinople！"yelledPeter。"InAugust！Areyouserious？"
"DoIlookit？"askedPeter’sfather。Hedid。
"InConstantinople，"explainedMr。Hallowellsenior，"therewillbenothingtodistractyoufromyourstudies，andinspiteofyourselfeveryminuteyouwillbeimbibinghistoryandlocalcolor。"
"I’llbeimbibingfever，"，returnedPeter，"andsunstrokeandsuddendeath。Ifyouwanttogetridofme，whydon’tyousendmetotheislandwheretheysentDreyfus？It’squicker。
Youdon’thavetogotoTurkeytostudyaboutTurkey。"
"Youdo！"saidhisfather。
Peterdidnotwaitforthefestivitiesofcommencementweek。
Alldayhehidinhisroom，packinghisbelongingsorgivingthemawaytoemembersofhisclass，whocametotellhimwhatarottenshameitwas，andtobidhimgood—by。TheylovedPeterforhimselfalone，andatlosinghimwereloyallyenraged。Theysiredpubliclytoexpresstheirsentiments，andtothatendtheyplannedamocktrialoftheRiseandFall，"
atwhichapackedjurywouldsentenceittocremation。TheyplannedalsotohangDoctorGilmanineffigy。Theeffigywitharoperounditsneckwaseventhenawaitingmobviolence。Itwascompletetothesilver—whitebeardandthegoldspectacles。ButPetersquashedbothdemonstrations。HedidnotknowDoctorGilmanhadbeenforcedtoresign，butheprotestedthatthehorse—playofhisfriendswouldmakehimappearabadloser。"Itwouldlook，boys，"hesaid，"asthoughIcouldn’ttakemymedicine。Lookslikekickingagainsttheumpire’sdecision。OldGilmanfoughtfair。Hegavemejustwhatwascomingtome。Ithinkadarnsightmoreofhimthandoofthatbunchofboot—lickersthathadthecolossalnervetopretendIscoredfifty！"
DoctorGilmansatinhiscottagethatstoodtheedgeofthecampus，gazingataplasterbustofSocrateswhichhedidnotsee。SincethatmorninghehadceasedtositinthechairofhistoryatStillwaterCollege。Theywereretrenching，thechancellorhadtoldhimcurtly，cuttingdownunnecessaryexpenses，foreveninhisangerDoctorBlackwastoointelligenttohintathisrealmotive，andtheprofessorwasfartooinnocentofevil，fartoodetachedfromcollegepoliticstosuspect。Hewouldremainaprofessoremeritusonhalfpay，buthenolongerwouldteach。Thecollegehehadservedforthirtyyears—sinceitconsistedoftwobrickbuildingsandafacultyoftenyoungmen——nolongerneededhim。Evenhisivy—coveredcottage，inwhichhiswifeandhehadlivedfortwentyyears，inwhichtheironechildhaddied，wouldatthebeginningofthenexttermberequiredofhim。Butthecollegewouldallowhimthosesixmonthsinwhichto"lookround。"So，justoutsidethecircleoflightfromhisstudentlamp，hesatinhisstudy，andstaredwithunseeingeyesatthebustofSocrates。Hewasnotconsideringwaysandmeans。Theymustbefacedlater。Hewasconsideringhowhecouldpossiblybreaktheblowtohiswife。Whatevictionfromthathousewouldmeantohernoonebutheunderstood。Sincethedaytheirlittlegirlhaddied，nothingintheroomthathadbeenherplayroom，bedroom，andnurseryhadbeenaltered，nothinghadbeentouched。Tohiswife，somewhereinthehousethatwonderful，God—givenchildwasstillwiththem。Notasamemorybutasarealandlivingpresence。Whenatnighttheprofessorandhiswifesatateitherendofthestudytable，readingbythesamelamp，hewouldseehersuddenlyliftherhead，alertandeager，asthoughfromthenurseryfloorastephadsounded，asthoughfromthedarknessasleepyvoicehadcalledher。Andwhentheywouldbeforcedtomovetolodgingsinthetown，tosomestudents’boarding—house，thoughtheycouldtakewiththemtheirbooks，theirfurniture，theirmutualloveandcomradeship，theymustleavebehindthemthehauntingpresenceofthechild，thecoloredpicturesshehadcutfromtheChristmasnumbersandplasteredoverthenurserywalls，theramblerrosesthatwithherownhandsshehadplantedandthatnowclimbedtoherwindowandeachsummerpeeredintoheremptyroom。
OutsideDoctorGilman’scottage，amongthetreesofthecampus，paperlanternslikeorangesaglowwereswayingintheeveningbreeze。InfrontofHallowelltheflameofabonfireshottothetopofthetallestelms，andgatheredinacirclerounditthegleeclubsang，andcheersucceededcheer—cheersfortheheroesofthecindertrack，fortheheroesofthediamondandthegridiron，cheersforthemenwhohadflunkedespeciallyforonemanwhohadflunked。Butforthatmanwhoforthirtyyearsintheclassroomhadservedthecollegetherewerenocheers。Noonerememberedhim，excepttheonestudentwhohadbestreasontorememberhim。ButthisrecollectionPeterhadnorancororbitternessand，stillanxiouslestheshouldbeconsideredabadloser，hewishedDoctorGilmanaeveryoneelsetoknowthat。SowhenthecelebrationwasatitsheightandjustbeforetrainwasduetocarryhimfromStillwater，ranacrossthecampustotheGilmancottagesaygood—by。ButhedidnotenterthecottageHewentsofaronlyashalf—wayupthegardenwalk。Inthewindowofthestudywhichopenedupontheverandahesawthroughframeofhoneysucklestheprofessorandwifestandingbesidethestudytable。Theywereclingingtoeachother，thewomanweepsilentlywithhercheekonhisshoulder，thin，delicate，well—bredhandsclaspingarms，whilethemancomfortedherawkwardunhappily，withhopeless，futilecaresses。
Peter，shockedandmiserableatwhathehadseen，backedsteadilyaway。Whatdisasterhadbefallentheoldcouplehecouldnotimagine。Theideathathehimselfmightinanywayconnectedwiththeirgriefneverenteredmind。Hewascertainonlythat，whateverthetroublewas，itwassomethingsointimateandpersonalthatnomereoutsidermightdaretoofferhissympathy。Soontiptoeheretreateddownthegardenwalkand，avoidingthecelebrationatthebonfire，returnedtohisrooms。Anhourlatertheentirecollegeescortedhimtotherailroadstation，andwith"He’sajollygoodfellow"
and"He’sofftoPhilippopolisinthemorn——ing"ringinginhisears，hesankbackhisseatinthesmoking—carandgazedatthelightsofStillwaterdisappearingoutofhislife。Andhewassurprisedtofindthatwhatlingeredhismindwasnotthestudents，dancinglikeIndiansroundthebonfire，oratthestepsofthesmoking—carfightingtoshakehishand，butthemanandwomanaloneinthecottagestrickenwithsuddensorrow，standingliketwochildrenlostinthestreets，whoclingtoeachotherforcomfortandatthesamemomentwhisperwordsofcourage。
TwomonthsLater，atConstantinople，Peter，wassufferingfromremorseoverneglectedopportunities，frompricklyheat，andfromfleas。Anditnotbeenforthemoving—pictureman，andthepokerandbaccaratattheCercleOriental，hewouldhaveflunghimselfintotheBosphorus。Inthemorningswiththetutorhereadancienthistory，whichhepromptlyforgot；
andfortherestofthehot，drearydaywiththemoving—
picturemanthroughthebazaarsandalongthewater—fronthestalkedsuspectsforthecamera。
Thenameofthemoving—picturemanwasHarryStetson。Hehadbeenanewspaperreporter，apress—agent，andanactorinvaudevilleandinamoving—picturecompany。NowonhisownaccounthewaspreparinganillustratedlectureontheEast，adaptedtochurchesandSunday—schools。Peterandhewroteitincollaboration，andintheeveningsrehearseditwithlanternslidesbeforeanaudienceofthehotelclerk，thetutor，andtheGermansoldieroffortunewhowastryingtoselltheyoungTurksveryoldbattleships。Everyotherforeignerhadfledthecity，andtheentirediplomaticcorpshadremoveditselftothesummercapitalatTherapia。
ThereStimson，thefirstsecretaryoftheembassyand，intheabsenceoftheambassador，CHARGED’AFFAIRES，invitedPetertobecomehisguest。StimsonwasmostanxioustobepolitetoPeter，forHallowellseniorwasapowerinthepartytheninoffice，andawordfromhimatWashingtoninfavorofarisingyoungdiplomatwoulddonoharm。ButPeterwasafraidhisfatherwouldconsiderTherapia"outofbounds。"
"HesentmetoConstantinople，"explainedPeter，"andifhethinksI’mnotplayingthegametheLordonlyknowswherehemightsendmenext—andhemightcutoffmyallowance。"
InthematterofallowancePeter’sfatherhadbeenmostgenerous。Thiswasfortunate，forpoker，asthepashasandprincesplayeditatheCercle，wasnogameforcripplesorchildren。But，owingtohisletter—of—creditandhisillspentlife，Peterwasabletoholdhisownagainstmenthreetimeshisageandoffortunesnearlyequaltothatofhisfather。
Onlytheydisposedoftheirwealthdifferently。OnmanyhoteveningPetersawasmuchoftheirmoneyscatteredoverthegreentableashisfatherhadspentovertheHallowellathleticfield。
InthisfashionPeterspenthisfirstmonthofexile——inthemorningtryingtofillhisbrainwithnamesofgreatmenwhohadbeenalongtimedead，andinhisleisurehourswithlocalcolor。Toayouthofhisactivespirititwasafulllifewithoutjoyorrecompense。ALetterfromCharleyHines，aclassmatewholivedatStillwater，whicharrivedafterPeterhadenduredsixweeksofConstantinople，releasedhimfromboredomandgavelifearealinterest。Itwasaletterfullofgossipintendedtoamuse。Oneparagraphfailedofitspurpose。Itread："OldmanGilmanhasgotthesack。Thechancellorofferedhimupasasacrificetoyourfather，andbecausehewasunwiseenoughtoflunkyou。HeistomoveoutinSeptember。IranacrossthemlastweekwhenIwaslookingforroomsforaFreshmancousin。Theywerereservingoneinthesameboarding—house。It’sashame，andIknowyou’llagree。Theyareafineoldcouple，andIdon’tliketothinkofthemherdingwithFreshmeninashineboardinghouse。Blackalwayswasaswine。"
Peterspentfullytenminutesgettingtothecableoffice。
"Justlearned，"hecabledhisfather，"Gilmandismissedbecauseflunkedmeconsiderthisoutrageouspleaseseeheisreinstated。"
Theanswer，whicharrivedthenextday，didnotsatisfyPeter。Itread："InformedGilmanactedthroughspitehavenoauthorityasyouknowtointerfereanyactofblack。"
SincePeterhadlearnedofthedisasterthatthroughhislazinesshadbefallentheGilmans，hisindignationattheinjusticehadbeenhourlyincreasing。NorhadhisbanishmenttoConstantinoplestrengthenedhisfilialpiety。Onthecontrary，ithadrenderedhimindependentandbutlittleinclinedtokissthepaternalrod。Inconsequencehisnextcablewasnotconciliatory。
"DismissingGilmanLooksmoreLikeweactedthroughspitemakesmeappearcontemptibleBlackisatoadywilldoasyoudirectpleasereinstate。"
Tothissomewhatperemptorymessagehisfatheranswered：
"IfyourpositionunpleasantyourselftoblamenotBlackincidentisclosed。"
"Isit？"saidthesonofhisfather。HecalledStetsontohisaidandexplained。Stetsonremindedhimofthefamouscablegramofhisdistinguishedcontemporary："PerdicarisaliveandRaisulidead！"
Peter’sparaphraseofthisran："GilmanreturnstoStillwaterorIwillnottryfordegree。"
Thereplywasequallyemphatic：
"Youearnyourdegreeoryouearnyourownliving。"
ThisalarmedStetson，butcausedPetertodeliverhisultimatum："ChoosetoearnmyownlivingamleavingConstantinople。"
WithinafewdaysStetsonwasalsoleavingConstantinoplebysteamerviaNaples。Peter，whohadcometolikehimverymuch，wouldhaveaccompaniedhimhadhenotpreferredtoreturnhomemoreleisurelybywayofParisandLondon。
"You’llgettherelongbeforeIdo，"saidPeter，"andassoonasyouarriveIwantyoutogotoStillwaterandgiveDoctorGilmansomesouvenirofTurkeyfromme。JusttoshowhimI’venohardfeelings。Hewouldn’tacceptmoney，buthecan’trefuseapresent。Iwantittobesomethingcharacteristicofthecountry，Likeaprayerrug，orascimitar，oranilluminatedKoran，or"
Somewhatdoubtfully，somewhatsheepishly，Stetsondrewfromhispocketaflatmoroccocaseandopenedit。"What’sthematterwithoneofthese？"heasked。
Inavelvet—linedjewelcasewasastarofgreenenamelandsilvergilt。Toitwasattachedaribbonofredandgreen。
"That’stheStaroftheCrescent，"saidPeter。"Wheredidyoubuyit？"
"Buyit！"exclaimedStetson。"Youdon’tbuythem。TheSultanbestowsthem。"
"I’llbettheSultandidn’tbestowthatone，"saidPeter。
"I’llbet，"returnedStetson，"I’vegotsomethinginmypocketthatsayshedid。"
HeunfoldedanimposingdocumentcoveredwithslantinglinesofcurvingArabiclettersingold。Peterwasimpressedbutstillskeptical。
"WhatdoesthatsaywhenitsaysitinEnglish？"heasked。
"Itsays，"translatedStetson，"thathisImperialMajesty，theSultan，bestowsuponHenryStetson，educator，author，lecturer，theStaroftheOrderoftheCrescent，ofthefifthclass，forservicesrenderedtoTurkey。"
Peterinterruptedhimindignantly。
"Nevertrytofoolthefakirs，myson，"heprotested。"I’mafakirmyself。Whatservicesdidyouever……"
"Servicesrendered，"continuedStetsonundisturbed，"inspreadingthroughouttheUnitedStatesagreaterknowledgeofthecustoms，industries，andreligionoftheOttomanEmpire。
That，"heexplained，"referstomy——Ishouldsayour——
moving—picturelecture。Ithoughtitwouldlookwellif，whenIlecturedonTurkey，IworeaTurkishdecoration，soIwentafterthisone。"
Peterregardedhisyoungfriendwithincredulousadmiration。
"Butdidtheybelieveyou，"hedemanded，"whenyoutoldthemyouwereanauthorandeducator？"
Stetsonclosedoneeyeandgrinned。"TheybelievedwhateverI
paidthemtobelieve。"
"Ifyoucangetoneofthose，"criedPeter，OldmanGilmanoughttogetadozen。I’lltellthemhe’stheauthorofthelongestanddullesthistoryoftheirflea—bittenempirethatwaseverwritten。Andhe’sarealprofessorandarealauthor，andIcanproveit。I’llshowthemthefivevolumeswithhisnameineach。Howmuchdidthatthingcostyou？"
"Twohundreddollarsinbribes，"saidStetsonbriskly，"andtwomonthsofdiplomacy。"
"Ihaven’tgottwomonthsfordiplomacy，"saidPeter，"soI’llhavetoincreasethebribes。I’llstayhereandgetthedecorationforGilman，andyouworkthepapersathome。NooneeverheardoftheOrderoftheCrescent，butthatonlymakesittheeasierforus。They’llonlyknowwhatwetellthem，andwe’lltellthemit’sthehighesthonoreverbestowedbyareigningsovereignuponanAmericanscholar。Ifyoutellthepeopleoftenenoughthatanythingisthebesttheybelieveyou。That’sthewayfathersellshishams。
You’vebeenapress—agent。Fromnowonyou’regoingtobemypress—agent——ImeanDoctorGilman’spress—agent。Ipayyoursalary，butyourworkistoadvertisehimandtheOrderoftheCrescent。I’llgiveyoualettertoCharleyHinesatStillwater。Hesendsoutcollegenewstoasyndicateandhe’sthelocalAssociatedPressman。He’ssoreattheirdischargingGilmanandhe’smybestfriend，andhe’llworkthepapersasfarasyoulike。YourjobistomakeStillwaterCollegeandDoctorBlackandmyfatherbelievethatwhentheylostGilmantheylostthemanwhomadeStillwaterfamous。AndbeforewegetthroughboostingGilman，we’llmakemyfather’smillion—dollargiftlaboratorylooklikeaninsult。"
Intheeyesoftheformerpress—agentthelightofbattleburnedfiercely，memoriesofhistriumphsinexploitation，ofhisstrategiesandtacticsinadvertisingsoaredbeforehim。
"It’sgreat！"heexclaimed。"I’vegotyourideaandyou’vegotme。Andyou’redarnedluckytogetme。I’vebeenpress—
agentforpoliticians，actors，societyleaders，breakfastfoods，andhorse—shows——andI’mthebest！IwasinchargeofthepublicitybureauforGallowaywhenheranforgovernor。
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