The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-07

nature OF our RfeeClnR ana struggling TO re-
call his name, and he with his head slightly
by suppressed amusement on his face, as il
|my presence on the steps of the postofice
WAS one of those inexplicable freaks of
chance for which it is hopeless to seek to
assign any reasonable law. gave him
few seconds to digest his astonishnent, and
3 little embarrassing, Isaid inconsequently:
Well. what have you been doing all this
time?" "Well," he replied, "I've been to
Australia. You know" .'Oh. ahr' ejacu-
lated, as if il had for moment slipped nv
memory. why, you went there" and !
aesitated as though calculating the exact
be put in shortly, land quite long enough,
too."
ran over in my mind my acquaintance
Iof three years ago. but could recall no trace
3of recollection of my new companion; 30
fo gain time and to gather fresh informa-
have you had3'' 20, much about the same
be before" he answered, with slightly
puzzled air. ] candidly admit that the sen-
bible thing for me to have done would have
been to own up and admit that had for
gotten my friends personality. Unfortu-
nately, / am one Of those painfully consti-
ror from anything in the nature of an ex-
PLANTATION, and, in addition, felt that had
bone too far to cry off without some appear
hnce of insincerity. Besides, he seemed to
congratulate himself 90 warmly upon what
be insisted upon looking on as our provi-
ae1tiai meeting. that my lips were sealed,
et things slide little longer, his name
would recur to my mind
He had slipped his arm through mine az
re walked up town with an easy sense of
Eood-fellowship, and said: "Of course,
you'll dine with me this evening. Now
lon't say you are engaged" he added. as
10 have more of my companion and my dis
inclination to dine under false pretenses.
You know they'll be awfully disappointed
t they hear I have met you and let you
pff antont- a Long talk, and join them to-
bocc. Cassidy: ~ to consent against my
3 { Sl.lS .ssS:5 and added, il play
i !; sop:s rsods manner: "And how are
Ehed. they are all tip-top-all except the
polonel," after pause, and with slightly
quite got over that AFFAIR."
"Ah," rejoined, shaking my head SYM
Pathetically; "one doesn't get over that
bort of thing in day; but the others?''
What others?o he said, bluntly.
I hesitated, and rejoined vaguely: "Were
here not some others?'.
AAS INANOAOA AO0VAy ALL q low 0eCOuO6
before replying: Eyes; believe there were
ome others, but they made no difference"
l was inst murmnring Every likely not"
Fhen he turned to me abruptly and said: II
pope you don't think he came badly out of
that business?"
ny arm, as if he was preparing himself for
ome oensure or GOODNESS on my part.
felt touched by this little proof of his
ensitiveness to my good opinion, and
pressed his fingers as rejoined warmly: II
Rever heard anyone speak otherwise than
highly of his conduct in the matter"
He stopped and said shortly: "Why, who
Fnows anything about it? 1 thought Won
md had it all to ourselves"
Yes, yes." faltered, and added incon-
eQuently; you know you have been away
pr some time, old fellow
1t did not seem to fit in very we'll, but he
ccepted it as an argument, and said:
eople talk about it. know he relies upon
GU and me.''
There was something so touching in the
eliance of this unknown, that q glow of
vmPathetic affection warmed my heart,
nd resolved on the spot that. his conf
ence should not be misplaced. Come
hat might. the secret of that old mans
fe should never be betrayed BY me.
thers might make it subject Of club COS
p or tea-table tittle-tattle, but no word Of
line should add one drop to the cup of Bit
rness that had been placed at his lips.
here are passages in the lives of all of us
hich We would wish to have buried in OBJ
vion-the thoughtless follies Of youth.
70 unworthy ambitions of manhood and
70 seifieh jealousies of old age; who is
fere That can stand up and say there is no
Pisode IN his life he would not have ex-
hinged, forgotten or condoned2
We had turned into restaurant for bit
n1nnNT-
rough my mind as we ate our fish. nv
mpanion pondered sadly for few sec-
bids, and then, shaking himself together Al
bout to throw of an unpleasant train Of
ought, said more easily: SHOW, tell me
ore about yourself, your wife and family
Before had time to reflect upon what
light he the result of my disclosure
blurted out the simple truth: 81 have no
fe."
BE looked intensely surprised, az he said:
Ny dear fellow. am very sorry. never
lard-" He paused inquirinRly, and
lain blurted out: 81 never had one"
A look of extreme pain spread over his
ce az he heard this. He leaned across
table, and laying his hand on mine,
id, with infinite sympathy: II see it all;
ought not to have asked you. Forgive
old fellow. and forget that have said
ose words.''
gave him a clammy hand and turned
ray, lest he should detect the conscious
iltiness in my face. I had become oon-
med in suspicion that had been gradu-
y dawning upon my mind, that had
yer set eyes upon my host before that
y, and thatI had been carried away by
me inexplicable chance resemblance to
me remote acquaintance, and by his own
parent cordial recognition Of myself.
|eEybody that he mentioned was total
anger to me, while every incident that I
ntioned, with Wow to drawing him out,