s as old chaps do who have
rheumatism."

"Whistle if you need anything in the night," said Archie, and allowed
the porter to push him into the upper berth, the first he had ever
occupied. Wakened now and then by unusual jars, he heard nothing of
Congdon. He stifled a desire to steal Isabel's photograph and in time
slept the sleep of exhaustion.

When they were roused by the porter he helped Congdon into his clothes,
chose a clean shirt for him and laughingly offered to shave him.

Congdon regarded him quizzically.

"You're a mighty good fellow! It's about time I was introducing myself.
My name is Congdon. I live in New York; just taking a little trip for my
health; going up into the lakes."

"Comly's my name. No particular plans myself. Just knocking about a
bit."

By the time Archie had made his toilet they were running into the
Chicago station.

"Suppose we have breakfast in the station restaurant?" Congdon
suggested. "If I go up to the University Club I'm likely to run into
somebody who'll want me to do things. And I'm not up to it; really I'm
not."

"I understand perfectly," said Archie.

"And see here, old man; I don't want to force myself on you, but you've
been awfully decent to me. Don't be alarmed, but to tell you the honest
truth my nerves are in such a state that I'm afraid to be alone. If a
poor neurasthenic won't bore you too much I wish you'd let me tag you
till my train leaves tonight. I promise not to be a nuisance and if it
becomes unbearable, just chuck me!"

They not only breakfasted together, but after motoring through the parks
they spent an hour at the art institute and then Archie acted as host at
luncheon. The fear of being accosted by an acquaintance made him
nervous, and his anxiety seemed to be shared by Congdon, who chose an
eating place unfrequented by travelers. By this time Archie was fully
committed to the further journey into Michigan and contributed his half
to the purchase of a stateroom for the trip.

"I'm using you; you can see that I'm using you, making a valet of you,
dragging you into the wilderness!" exclaimed Congdon. "But I always was
a selfish whelp."

He made the confession with a grim smile, and an impatient sweep of his
free arm as though brushing himself out of existence.

Archie's intimate friends were few; men thought him difficult, or looked
upon him as an invalid to be left to his own devices; and yet he felt
that he had known Putney Congdon for years