Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1870-01-28


again in the works. But the salary only
went on for one week. Very true, Mr..
Stouch has been in the habit of continuing
back pay with some old retainers. But
we are drawing in, sir, drawing in. The
money. never was so tight"
1t was, as Bender walked away from the
desk that Morris called him back, and
asked him about Mary, "a. particular
friend OF young Crompton's, ehf"
my vile does not know Mr.. Crompton,
nor do l."
"Nog Better iEyou did, them" with .
serious loolS. Mrs Bender does i
meet them saunt tering along in the eyen'
ing together frequently. CroInpton's an
attractive fellow. No wonder women.
like him for a friend. Irish, yOn know !;
gay, handsome, genial. Too attractive to
be trusted with as pretty woman as
your wife, Bender, If you'l allow me to
say it." -
"I will not allow you to say it, Mr..
Morris. You do not know my Mary, and
are not capable of Judging her. For
my part, am very glad if she has made
pleasant friend"
Morris laid down his pen and came out
side-ot the desk railing. 9Now, don't be
offended and sulky, lad,"5 drawing him
aside. I'm an older man than you.
know women better. They are nervous
and magnetic, especially high spirited,
delicate women like your Mary, # that's
her name. They grow tired Of the jog
trot life at home, and the dull, daily
talks with their husbands. They pine for
some repetition of the old romantic, love-
making days, So they form q platonic
friendship. That's the worst ever sus-
pected of your wife-a patonic friend
ship. But if she were my wife," en-
phatically, II would as lief another man
kissed her lips as paltcred in that fashion
with her heart"
al am not afraid" Coldly. If. .
"Of course not. Oh, certainly not l
am sorry mentioned it."
"On the contrary, am obliged to you
for your interest in me. But you are mis-
taken"
swell, good day, Bender. YouTlbeon
hand tomorrow? By the way, though,
it was odd, now, that Mrs. Bender did not
mention Orompten to your
He was not angry with Morris, though
he had tried TO blind him as he did, The
old man wanted to save him--a1d her.
He did not go home again, though he
had promised Mary to be back by noon
He told her he would bring the back sal.
ary with him, in time to'pay off the press
ing bills that afternoon. He would draw
the money fran the savings bank, too, to
clear the mortgage. But, on leaving
1 Morris, he had gone wandering aimlessly
about the streets, out to Paramount at last
down between the great wheels, oyel
which the river rushed with deafening
sound. 1t would be 50 easy to end it all
But Bender was slow, phlcgmatic man
not apt to be moved by any sudden temp
tation.
| He came back to Chestnut street in thu
afternoon. Young Ward met him, one o.
the clerks of the savings bank. !" Hello
Sam. You told me you meant to draw
that little pile of yours to-day. Bank
just closing. If you want 1t come along.
"Yes, suppose So" following him.
!"Going to clear your mortgage, eh
/ That's clever. We'll, there you arc,
counting out the notes and smiling owe
the counter. Sam smiled back at him
Then he went out, and down to Saul !
Crompton's He would meet her there,
! itwass true: the devil whispered tha
| into his ear as a certainty. He had beer
standing by the window for an hour whel
Joe Houston passed.
People went in and out of the show
UuJ VI
well-worn brown suit, was not anon
them. He peered in now and the
through the shining vista of gilt work ant
colored glass, to see Crompton. He woul
know him at the first sight, he knew
"tall, genial and handsome" There wa
no one like him among the dapper littl
clerks. 1t began to grow dark at last. II
sdIs Mr. Cromnton in?
ain his sprivate office, sir. Second foo
Will you walk upG"
One of the clerks was coming down tn
stairs. "He is engaged just now, Phi
A lady"
"Will you wait sir" said the first. rs
down." pushing stool toward him, se
! ing how white and weak he was, =. .
aPll go outside, into the aif.D n
"You may miss Mr.. Crompton. Z
comes down the private stairs often G
the other street. Shall send your nam
t up?" N-Amw "a
! He wentIout to the other street Il
knew Crompton would come down Il
/, private stairs. He knew who would
with him. The door of this side entran
i is narrow there was fruitsrer's sta
next to it. Standing in the shadow Be
' der was almost con ceal Cd from Fiew.
+ Half an hour passed. The State Hou
4 clock struck five. He moved to go ava
s After all, It might be but q devilish dreal
b Mary was at home, doubtless, watchil
It at the window for him, with Jackeyin h
: arms T@eA '""'
The door opened. There was a m
i ment's pause, and then mans voice:
L. "Take care The stairs are dark. Gi
Is me your hand"
Y A ringing, rich voice, such as would |
n long to genial, love-making Irishma
t, softened now to very tender inhectiC
Then there was quick, light step up
D. the stairs Bender had learned toknow
II years ago. They came out together
g the pavement. Marys dress almC
d touched her husband; 1t was her one go
lie dress, the brown silk so long kept
rs church She had a bit of blue chsnil
too twisted in and out of the coils of
he black hair. 1t was many day since S
le had taken that trouble to look fair in
d eyes They spoke together in low to-
or Crompton urging something. which
re family resisted. He prevailed at ID
N II viii be there at nine, then ?" raisi
IT. M ulh0 II JOu WAiiI ShS oNAN SSh
nd "Win it be safe ?"
of "Oh, quite safe. He goes to bed ca
tn since his sickness. Poor old Sam" "
a nervous laugh.
he "Shall not go home with you now
be grows late
tie No, no. We may be seen together
es He held her hand in his moment, {
on then she was gone. Crompton stood 81
m, looking after her. Bender came up
", pavement and faced him. His face
ife so CHASTITY and menacing that the youn
man drew back, and the air died,on
ris lips which he Was softly humming. 7
yn low sunlight fell on his elegantly dres
mis- figure as ne stood thereon the flush
ne handsome face, with its tnll, reddish be
in, Sam halted, and then went on.
his "Poor deYiL / wonder. whether Won
1e, OF whisky hA{4 afiSen hi,S mad,p thou
oc- Crompton, beginning his tune agail
he moment after
Iad Bender went down toward Fourth str
-en with slow, lcsolute steps, His old siren
or seemed TO have come hack TO him in