The Plymouth Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1869-1941, 1870-01-27

StOuch has been in the habit of continuing
back pay with some old retainers. But
we are drawing in, sir, drawing in The
mOney-market 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, eh?"
My wife does not know Mr.. Crompton,
nor do l."
mo? Better if you did, then," with a
serious leok. Mrs. Bender does. !
meet them sauntering along in the even
ing together frequently. Crompton's an
attractive fellow. No wonder women
like him for a friend. Irish, you know
gay, handsome, genial. Too attractive to
be trusted with as pretty woman as
your wife, Bender, if you'll allow me to
say it."
Il 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, 1 am very glad if she has made
a pleasant friend"
Morris laid down his pen and came out
side of the desk railing "Now, don't be
offended and sulky, lad," 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, if 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 a platonic
friendship. That's the worst | ever sus-
pected of your wife-a platonic friend
ship. But if she were my wife," en-
phatically, q would as lief another man
kissed her lips as paltered in that fashion
with her heart"
81 am not afraid" COldly.
"Of course not. Oh, certainly not!
am sorry mentioned it."
ION the contrary, am obliged to you
for your interest in me. But you are mis-
taken"
"Well, good day, Bender. You'll be on
hand tomorrow BY the way, though,
it was odd, now, that Mrs Bender did not
mention CrOmptOn 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--and her.
He did not 90 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
Morris, he had gone wandering aimlessly
about the streets, out to Fairmount at last,
down between the great wheels, over
which the river rushed with deafening
sound. 1t would be so easy to end it all !
But Bender was slow, phlegmatic man,
not apt to be moved by any sudden temp
tatiOn.
He came back to Chestnut street in the
afternoon. Young Ward met him, one of
the clerks of the savings bank. "Hello !
Sam. You told me you meant to draw
that little pile of yours to-day. Bank s
just closing. If you want it come along"
Yes, | suppose so, > following him.
Going to clear your mortgage, eh?
That's clever. Well, there you arc"
counting out the notes and smiling over
the counter Sam smiled back at him.
Then he went out, and down to Saul &
Crompton's He would meet her there, if
it was true: the devil whispered that
into his ear as a certainty. He had been
standing by the window for an hour when
Joe Houston passed.
People went in and out of the show
rooms; but Mary's slight figure, in the
well worn brown suit, was not among
them. He peered in now and then
through the shining vista of gilt work and
colored glass, to see CromptOn He would
know him at the first sight, he knew
=" tall, genial and handsome" There was
no one like him among the dapper little
clerks. 1t began to grow dark at last. He
went in.
as Mr.. Crompton in?"
In his private Office, sir. Second floor.
viii you walk up?"
One of the clerks was coming down the
stairs. He is engaged just now, Phil.
A lady"
"Will you wait sir" said the first. "Sit
down." pushing a stool toward him, see
ing how white and weak he was.
I'll go outside, into the air"
"You may miss Mr.. Crompton. He
comes down the private stairs often on
the other street. Shall | send your name
up?"
"No."
He went ,out to the other street. He
knew CrOmptOn would come down the
private stairs. He knew who would be
with him. The door of this side entrance
is narrow; there was a fruitsrer's stall
next to it. Standing in the shadow, Ben
der was almost concealed from view.
Half On hour passed. The State House
clock struck five. He moved to go away.
After all, it might be but devilish dream.
Mary was at home, doubtless, watching
at the window for him, with Jackey in her
arms.
The door opened. There was a mo-
ments pause, and then mans voice:
Take carel The stairs are dark. Give
me your hand"
A ringing, rich voice, such as would be-
long to a genial, love making Irishman,
softened now to a very tender infection.
Then there was quick, light step upon
the stairs. Bender had learned to know il
years ago. They came out together on
the pavement Mary's dress almost
touched her husband; it was her one good
dress, the brown silk so long kept for
church. She had bit of blue chenille,
too, twisted in and out of the coils of her
black hair. 1t was many day since she
had taken that trouble to look fair in his
cyesl They spoke together in a low tone,
CrOmpton urging something which she
family resisted. He prevailed at last,
though.
81 will be there at nine, then ?" raising
his voice.
:" AT nine if you will" she said gently.
"Will it be safe 2"
"Oh, quite safe. He goes to bed early
since his sickness. Poor old Samr' with
a nervous laugh.
"Shall not go home with you now =? 1t
grows late
No, no. We may be seen together"
He held her land in his moment, and
then she was gone. CromptOn stood still,
looking after her. Bender came up the
pavement and faced him His face was
so CHASTITY and menacing that the younger
man drew back, and the air died on his
lips which he was softly humming. The
low sunlight fell on his elegantly dressed
figure as he stood thereon the flushed,
handsome face, with its full, reddish beard
and hair
Sam halted, and then went on.
"POor devil, L wonder whether women
or whisky have driven him mad," thought
CrOmDtOn. beginning his tune again a