The Thoughts of Youth

ing off into the many streets beyond. Eric Marshall and David Baker walked away together. The former had gradu- ated in Arts that day at the head of his class; the latter had come to see the grad- uation, nearly bursting with pride in Eric’s success. ‘

Between these two was an old and tried and enduring friendship, although David was ten years older than Eric, as the mere tale of years go, and a hundred years older in knowledge of the struggles and difficulties of life which age a man far more quickly and effectually than the passing of time.

Physically the two men bore no resem— blance to one another, although they were second cousins. Eric Marshall, tall, broad-shouldered, sinewy, walking with a free, easy stride, which was somehow suggestive of reserve strength and power, was one of those men regarding whom less—favoured mortals are tempted seri— ously to wonder why all the gifts of for-

3