us; and as the evening came I
retired to my den, and there thoughts of Jack intermingled themselves
with visions of Nora and Marion.

The hours of that evening passed very slowly. If I could have gone to
O'Halloran's, I might have forgotten my anxiety; but, as I couldn't go
to O'Halloran's, I could not get rid of my anxiety. What had become of
him? Was he in limbo? Had he taken Louie's advice and flitted? Was he
now gnashing his splendid set of teeth in drear confinement; or was he
making a fool of himself, and an ass, by persisting in indulging in
sentiment with Louie?

In the midst of these cogitations, eleven o'clock came, and a few
moments after in bounced Jack himself.

I met him as the prodigal son was met by his father.

He was gloomy. There was a cloud on his broad, Jovian, hilarious,
Olympian brow, with its clustering ambrosial locks.

"Jack, old fellow! You come like sunshine through a fog. I've been
bothering about you all day. Have you been nabbed? Are the duns abroad?
Has the sheriff invited you to a friendly and very confidential
conversation? You haven't been here for two days."

"Yes, I have," said Jack, "I was here last night, and waited till
three, and then walked off to sleep on it. You're up to something
yourself, old man, but look out. Take warning by me. Don't plunge in
too deep. For my part, I haven't the heart to pursue the subject. I've
got beyond the head-stone even. The river's the place for me. But,
Macrorie, promise me one thing."

"Oh, of course--all right--go ahead."

"Well, if I jump into the river, don't let them drag for me. Let me
calmly drift away, and be borne off into the Atlantic Ocean. I want
oblivion. Hang headstones! Let Anderson slide."

Saying this, Jack crammed some tobacco into his pipe, lighted it, flung
himself into a chair, and began smoking most vigorously. I watched him
for some time in silence. There was a dark cloud on his sunny brow; he
looked woe-begone and dismal, and, though such expressions were
altogether out of harmony with the style of his face, yet to a friendly
eye they were sufficiently visible. I saw that something new had
occurred. So I waited for a time, thinking that he would volunteer his
confidence; but, as he did not, I thought I would ask for it.

"By Jove!" said I, at last "Hang it, Jack, do you know, old man, you
seem to be awfully cut up about something--hit hard--and all that sort
of thing. What's up? Any thing new? Out with it--clea