“Hello, Hunch,” said Jim. “Say, if you want to see a circus, you ought to go down to Herve's place.” “Why, what's up?” “Bruce Considine's celebrating.” “What--drinking?” “Yes, he's got a peach of a jag already.” Hunch hurried down to the saloon. Bruce was sitting on one of the tables, treating the crowd. “Hello, Hunch,” he said, waving his glass. “Have somethin' on me, ol' man. All my fren's got to have somethin' on me to-night. I'm a father, Hunch.” Hunch took his arm and jerked him to his feet. Bruce leaned against Hunch, and a man laughed. “Shut up, there!” said Hunch. Then he led Bruce away and took him to his own room. He needed to think. It was not such a simple matter as in the other days, when Bruce was one of his crew. He sat by the bed until the night was half gone. Bruce had gone to sleep. Hunch had been angry, but after awhile he began to think of Mamie and the baby, and his expression softened a little. Mamie was not in condition to bear a shock. The only thing to do was to sober Bruce and get him home, so he took off his coat and hammered him until he showed signs of consciousness. Finally he got him aroused, and then ducked his head in the washbowl, and scrubbed his face with soap and water. It was two o'clock in the morning before Bruce was fit to go home. Then he sat on the bed and looked helplessly at Hunch. “What'll I do, Hunch? I can't go home now.” “You shut up and go along. Don't do any more talking about it.” “I can't, Hunch. Think of it! There ain't a thing I can tell Marne. I went uptown to get some medicine and said I'd come right back.” “You'll go back all the same, if I have to take you myself.” “What can I tell her?” Hunch walked up and down the floor. “That's your business, Bruce. It ain't mine.” “Don't throw me up now, Hunch. Oh--everything's going to smash. What'll “What do you want to do, lie to her?” “It ain't that, Hunch; it ain't lying. I do! I can't tell her how it was. It would kill her.” “All right, if you want to lie to her, you tell her I was drunk and you brought me home. Now get out--go home, go somewhere, but get out of here.” “I--I-don't you see, Hunch----” “Go on now!” Bruce went out talking to himself. CHAPTER VII--A LIGHT GOES OUT |MAMIE grew slowly better, but the baby was kept alive only by constant attention. Hunch did not go to the house at all. Jess suggested it once or twice, but it made Hunch look so black that she began to avoid the subject. For the rest of the time Hunch was in better spirits than usual. After the night with Bruce, he had made up his mind to drop Bruce and his family from his mind. He had no right to interfere in Bruce's domestic matters. The decision brought relief, and Jess and he were happier than at any time since the beginning of their engagement. They spent their evenings going to entertainments, or sitting in the parlor, talking, with the lamp turned low.