Page:Lynch Williams--The girl and the game.djvu/118

 "but I did so want to get your advice. Good-night. I felt as if I couldn't sleep without consulting you about it."

"Good-night, good-night. See you at twelve to-morrow night, then," returned Jere. "I'm glad you came to me." And with that he closed the door and sat down to think. They had not been coming around to consult him as much as formerly, although he was quite as willing to give advice. He had been wondering of late if the trouble were with him or with them. There was a time when they used to talk to him on all sorts of subjects, and he would lean back and gravely listen with his eyes squinted thoughtfully, and then, when he had thought sufficiently, would give his opinion with no little eloquence. He gave very good advice, it should be added, and he had every reason to believe that he had kept more than one man from making a fool of himself. He had said that he hoped the fellows felt free to come to him about anything at any time. "I've seen a good bit of life," he used to remark, "and you are perfectly welcome to the