Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1891-10-02

another and went out, some excusng
themselves and then calling out the others.
The dinner had been finished when the
last man retired Bland and Strong were
sitting opposite each other over their
coffee Bland putting a cigarette, Strong
pulling on a cigar.
Strong" said Bland, lauguidly IL wish
you wouldn't make that noise when you
sip your coffee
Strong looked up surprised
"WhyY
ut annoys me exceedingly
81 was not aware that ! was making
any especial noise, said Strong finishing
81 suppose know now to bear myself like
a gentleman at table.
a sneer was creeping over BANDS
usually pleasant face
"What's come over you Blandp"
81 can stand anything but bad table
manners You'll he running your knife
down your throat presently"
do you mean to say that my manners
don't suit your extra refined and gentle.
manly high mightnessr said Strong,
angrily
81 shouldn't have ventured to thrust the
information on you as bluntly as you have
put it, but to tell you the plain, unvar
nished truth, they don't
Pm sorry" replied Strong, making an
effort to resume an indifferent tone; but
since you re not pleased with them, we'l
choose another subject for conversation"
"You seem to think continued Bland,
again calling up the sheer that you are
at liberty to show your bad breeding by
raft ling your coffee on your tongue, and
VIXEN delcately hint that it is offensive,
you assume to choose what shall he the
topic of conversation.
IAN inferior should yield to his superior,
| suppose" retorted Strong, ironically.
Bland threw off the sneer and assumed
all the arrogance of prince of the blood.
"rhere is certainly little vanity in claim
ing superiority in this case"
See here, Bland, this must cease.
don't care to sit here and listen to it any
longer
"Why don't you leave them"
81 certainly will, if you don't cease your
disagreeable remarks"
NO" said Bland half musingly, that
isn't the reason why you don't 60"
"Well, what is ity"
Some call it prudence, some fear 1t is
the same by all names"
"You little villain, do you mean to call
me coward;"
Come Strong, don't get up on your
ear at the mere mention of what is com
mon talk. You know very well the effect
of your permitting that fellow Hodge to
publicly insult you without resenting it."
My course in that affair was approved
by all my best friends. >
Strong spoke Indignantly, but with an
injured tone as we'll He had till now
supposed that his action in the case re-
ferred to, wherein he had magnanimously
apologlzed to cripple had gained MN
universal commentator. Bland sad noth
ing he gazed at the celilng with know
ing look, which implied Il know better:
they deceived YOU; they were KIND hearted
chaps and didn want to wound you
Il don't care for your opinion III the mat
YER olrohg went on lmpatlently, thouHh
he changed ms position ana KNIT MS DroWs'
plalhly showing that ne uld care great
ue"l lor H. acted as thoushO was rlShC
ana proper uhuer the circumstances ana
that an there Is ABOUT IT,
blanG SUN cohtlh"e't 10 gaze aC the cell
ing men ne spoke strong wished that
ne Wouiu remain silent Wheii he was 81
lent strong tremoIed win irritation be
cause he WouIu say no'ilhg'
~ you H4e"il tnd' was "l"iiie" wa!
uoh you say 50: anu not 81 there iooNIh2
!O"i 't''"'S' "''S"@''N1 ''49i'i""
tohS'
Bland lowered his eyes from the ceiling
and looked, with dropping lids at his ad-
versary Then, blowing cloud from his
cigarette;
Fear always hnds an excuse hen a
man Is AFRAID to night he usually gives out
that his conscience won't let nm.
Strong's breath came short and quick.
He raised glass OF water to his lips with
an unsteady hand' then set 1t down. and
looking his tormentor tull IN the lace:
IF you desire to test my sense of fear,
you may rest assured my conscience won't
stand in the way"
Bland made gesture OF assumed impa
thence
"Do you suppose want to make myself
ridiculousf You'd never fight any one
There would be a lot Of bluster, but you'd
find way to yet out of any serious work
Thanks. | don't care to be made a laugh
ing stock
81 dare you to 20 with me this minute
and have it out" cried Strong, rising from
the table
"Oh, sit down. You had chance once