"Well, Ed, everything is fixed. My work is not much, and I am given a free course in medicine. I attended the first lecture to-day, and I can't tell how glad I am, my boy! How about you?" he asked.
"Oh! I don't know yet—I may not remain in Chicago, Ben," answered
Edward, trying not to appear too discouraged.
"Why? Can't she help you to get some employment, Ed?"
"Will see to-morrow," answered Edward, going to his room, where he threw himself upon the bed, and felt much like sobbing. His head upon his hands, he remained in that position for a long while, thinking over the situation. He did not have the fascinating presence of that wonderful woman, Nellie, to brace him up, and the future seemed very dark indeed. Suppose she could not find him a position? What would he do? His money was nearly all gone. He would not allow her to support him. His manhood revolted at that thought.
If she did find him employment, he hated Chicago; he could certainly not be satisfied in that city. His friend, the Russian, had a position, but his salary was so small, that he knew he could not depend on him for much help. He knew now that the happiness he so keenly enjoyed when in the presence of Nellie was only momentary, and always gave place to excessive depression afterward. His exalted idea of honor compelled him to realize that his conduct was dishonorable toward Marie Louise, to whom he had promised to remain faithful. And what would his good and religious mother say if she knew that he was in love with an actress? These thoughts were not conducive to happiness or peace of mind, and Edward did not know what to do.
The next morning Ben went to the clerk of the hotel and settled their bill. Then he told Edward that he had found a good and cheap boarding-place, where they could both stop for less than one-half what they were paying at the hotel. This change pleased Edward and kept him busy part of the forenoon, because he had to see to the moving of their baggage to the boarding-house, Ben being obliged to go to his duties.
This new place was one of those many cheap boarding-houses patronized mostly by poor students and clerks, and as it was in a back street, it was comparatively quiet, a fact that Edward noticed with satisfaction. It was kept by an old, motherly Irishwoman, who seemed to take a special liking to Edward from the first, which was greatly increased when she learned that he was a Catholic. She asked him many questions, and finally wanted to know what was the nationality of his roommate.
"Russian," said Edward.
"Roosian? Faith, that's a Jew!"
"No, just a Russian," said Edward again, laughing.