Richard Forrest, Bachelor — page 65: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

56 A CONFIDENTIAL TALK, Richard, or as his intimate friends all called him, ‘‘Dick’’ Forrest, was a tall, broad-shouldered man, with well-shaped hands and feet, and a brown, healthy skin. His age might have been anywhere petween thirty-seven and forty, and his full, light-brown beard and curling hair, which would not lie flat in spite of the energetic brushings it received daily, were dashed with gray. His eyes, of a deep blue - color, were steadfast in expression and heavily lidded. Arthur Eldridge was fully ten years his junior and showed it in both appearance and manner. He weighed fifty pounds less and was of a decidedly athleticframe. His face was delicately handsome, and beside his friend’s more mature features, looked almost boyish. He wore neither mustache nor beard. ‘The mass of dark hair covering his head, which he wore rather long in a careless fashion, fall ing over his forehead, gave to his face a bright, happy look. In manner Mr. Forrest was so undemonstrative and de- liberate that most people, on meeting both men for the first time, preferred Mr. Eldridge. Arthur was gay and lively in disposition, and was a general favorite wherever he went, while Dick, more reticent by nature, made a wide distinction between his friends and acquaintances. Among his intimates, however, he was considered the prince of good fellows, and his society was much sought after. His friendship with Arthur had been of long standing, and his frank liking for the young man was fully appreci- ated and returned. In all important matters Arthur always sought Dick’s aid and counsel, relying upon his judgment as entirely as he would have done had he been his own brother, and he never had had cause to regret it. Although rather a scoffer at affaires du ceeur in general and a non- believer in the tender passion to any serious extent, Dick E@NNIElOOOKS,E) im