Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1885-02-06
DEVOTED FRIENDS.
CHAPTER I.

CHATTER l.
Ralph Archer and Louis Plover were
held so closely together by the interlac.
ings of friendship that they were rarely
ever seen apart from each other. They
were employed in the same department
of the Arkansaw State government; they
occupied the same room, read the same
books, and, at the restaurant, as Archer
once declared, always ate off the same
table cloth. Both Archer and PloveI
were much given to study. The war
having come on just in time to spoil The
chances of professional course at col
lege, the two young men after the giant
struggle had ceased, found themselves
almost on financial level with the dem
onstrative old Southern governor, who,
when asked if he could not aid in the
construction of a railway, replied, "You,
gentlemen, may not believe it, but ]
haven't blamed cent" Archers par
ents were dead; Plover's father, mother
and sister lived a short distance from
town, in an old red brick house, where
the two friends often spent much
of their leisure time. Young
Plover was especially devoted to
his sister, tall young women
who wore short hair. She possessed q
soft, winning voice, but her eyes were
cat like; she was easy of manner, but
her ords of greeting echoed with the
hollowness of insincerity. Vain and en-
vious, spiteful and jealous, the keen per
ception of young Archer told him tha
nature had not granted to herthat rich gen
erosity with which her brother had beer
endowed.
''Ella," Plover one day said to his sis
ter, "what do you think of my friend4'
''Mr. Archer2"
eyes, you knowI always speak of hin
as my friend"
ooh, like him because he is youl
friend"
"And for no other reason, EllaW
"You mustn't ask me that, Lu."
"Well, but want to know, sis"
care you afraid that 1 will MARI
him9"
afraid Why, I would give any
thing if you should. He is noble fel
low, and quite worthy of you. In fact
he is the only man l would like to Sc
you marry. Tell me, now, don't yor
love him."
"Lu, you must be crazy. Do you sup
pose that am going to tell you that
love a man before | find out that tn
man loves mel Tell me, Lu, did he eve
say anything about me?"
ooh, it is hardly time yet, for yo'
have been home but short time. D
you know that l cannot bear the idea o
your being governess any longer9
couldn't stand it, that's all"
"You are getting off the subject, Bud
Are you sure you never heard him sa
anything about meI"
'Quite sure. have never asked him
and he is not the man to tell me unles
should"
81 tell you one thing I've noticed
Every time he comes home with you-no
won't say it."
eyes, you must. What were you goin
to say9"
"No, it is better to leave it unsaid. I
would sound selfish"
"Remen,ber, girl, that you are talkin
to your brother. What were you goin
to say"
"That while down here he always goe
over to Gladrow's."
"What of that2"
''He goes to see Eva Gladrow. That
what there is of it."
81 think not, / have never heard hill
speak of her."
"But have you asked him2 You sal
just now that he was not man to te
you such things unless you should as
him. / declare the friendship existin
between you two men is peculiar. Yo
never confde your secrets to each other.
because we have none, doubtless.
'No, it is because you don't know no
to be friends. You make a pretense {
thinking much of each other, bnt iu
know it wouldn't take anything hardly
make you fight"
eff he should insult me would figl
him, of course; but understanding eaC
other so well, there is no likelihood of
quarrel. Believe I'll take stroll. Wa
to 60 pct3''
"No. Say, Lu, sometime l wish yc
would ask him"
"Ask him what3"
"Don't you remember9 Oh, psha'
your recollection is not as long as n
finger. Ask him what he thinks of me