The National tribune., 1892-12-15

College, and occult afiinities at once drew them
TO each other.
"Thy father; what does he do?" Baboene
questioned. curicusly.
Nothing" declared Routabel. AND
thine?"
Nothing either" Babolene returned.
Then they considered each other with mutual
esteem and separated no more.
They were lads created TO comprehend, APP
preciate. and love each other. and were also
wonderfully alike mentally, possessing the same
slow. ponderous wits, but at the same time great
good sense: the same rebel memory, for learning
Ms well us Tor forgetting; the same fuTtive fear
and respect for discipline; and side by side. as
l said. tie Ro!iiH College benches, worked
with the same obstinate application.
They shone, in fart, neither at the head nor
tail of anything. but remained in respectable
mediocrity. When Routsbel, for instance, was
"l3" in composition. Babolene was IA" in
the same. aud on, vice versa. Routabel-
Babolene, Baholene- RoUtabel, the two names
never parted one from the other, and continu-
ally responded 10 each other as vobiscum q"
responds TO D0minus."
They mutually and crcditably passed their
examinations end then mutually and stimuli
taneously inscribed their names at the College
of Law. where they selected aud entered with
the same Professors
Never was there the slightest Jar or cloud
between them, never the least discussion; they
esgely conceived things in precisely the same
manner, and were equally destitute of all
originality. As they laboriously completed
their law course they each lost his father.
Routabel was struck first and Babolene sus-
tanned him with cOnsoling exhortations.
Shortly after this it was the turn of Routabel
to console Babolcne, and there were touching
scenes between them.
Their mothers had long been dead; their
relatives ali lived in the country. Routabel
and Babolene, OF course. were mutually reduced
TO serving each other for family; noble task
that their truly exemplary friendship rendered
entirely possible.
To this end, therefore. they Installed them
selves in the same house, Routabel on the first
floor and Babolene on the second. Then, though
they had sufficient income TO live without
work. they sought an occupation, because idle
ness is the mother of all vices.
Government work pleased them best. They
applied to the Minister of Public instruction
and were speedily installed in the position of
copying clerks. Tranquil and satisfied they
lived with little ambition and pure morals.
passing The Summer Sundays in going TO the
Notifications. and those Of Winter in attending
some harmless spectacle or matinee. They
laughed or W pit at the same point and ct the
same time. Routabel in o, Babolene in u, though
their simultaneous laughter or tears came al-
ways from the same sound, clean healthiness of
soul and body.
There are some people that would have con-
sidered such an existence bitter; they esteemed
it particularly sweet.
At the end of eight years copy-clerking they
were raised TO the rank Of writers" and re-
ciprocally selictated each other. Shortly after
this alasi their triumphant friendship was
gravely compromised. 1t was Routabel, the
ungrateful. the imrrudent Routabel that first
deserted-he had fallen madly in love with
young widow; madly in love, / repeat, for the
reason that he married her.
But it is always the uneZ pected that happens,
and that which was expected to destroy their
mutual affection precisely that which in
creased and cemented 1t stronger than ever.
Briefly, Rouiabel's copjugal freside was not
long in becoming veritable hell of which the
young widow was the wicked devil. Two
years OF this existence seemed more than sufi-
Gent to The poor RoutabeI, and benefcent
.ivoTce gave him back his quiet security of
bachelor. 1t WAS on the hospitsblc vest of
Baboenc that, ali painting aud bleeding still
from his wounds, the unhappy Routabci went
to pour out his sorrows.
You will stay with me always, now, will
you not? d" demanded Babolere, greatly moved.
always, always, my friend; we will part
no more"
Soon said, soon done. They Joined house
holds, secured good cook, lived for each other,
and found again the happiness of other times
older. there were moments when their thoughts
took on a somber hue. 1t was generally in
drinking their after-dnncr coffee that these
dark thoughts took hold of them. and they
unused upon death and sighed gloomily.
An idea has come to me-" said Routabel
fnddenly one evening, as the meal was ending.
"To me also" said Baboleue
"When / die" continued Routabel, "I shall
leave no one behind me TO regret or to regret
me- but thou, my dear old mani"
Aud the same with me, too," certified Babo-
lene solemnly.
Which being the case, I've about decided to
bequeath 70 thee, Bsbolene, my friend, all my
property"
"And too do likewise to thee. Routabel."
And they gravely discussed the best and most
practical method OF putting the idea into execu-
ton. They were neither of them favorable to
the " will Telegraph" They were too easily
lost or stolen. papers like these. They fell
with one accord upon a mutual donation deed,
made before Notary, and they began at once
to arrange the details of the gift, which they
ampIifed joyously, and then Is joyously set
of for the Notsry's to at once have it sttested.
We are truly IS relatives now" said Babo-
lene contentedly, when the thing was done.
p Like brothers." Routsbel echoed smiably.
And they embraced each other under the
porte-cochere.
But in disengaginE themselves from that fra
charged with suspicion. Each believed that he
received aud felt the kiss of Judas.
This was the beginning, like the frst scratch
Of pin.
why does he hug me like thstfn Routabel
and Babolene asked themselves inwardly. Be
cause be is pleased TO be my heir. to know that
he will inherit from me. This Joy ID indecent"
Still they dissimulated their suspicious.
Never was Routsbel more amiable TO Babolene,
nor Baboiene more agreeable to Routabel. They
rivaled and WED with each other in forethought
and attentions; they duped themselves, in fact
but alas did not dupe each other.
Daily and hourly the pin-scratch was spread
ing. Their mutual soundness of health now
greatly concerned them. They employed
thousand ruses 10 feel each others pulse, and
addressed each other. concerning their condi.
tion, rs many insidious questions, pleading
falsely in order 10 know the truth and con
cesllng their curiosity under varnish of ten
der solicitude. Bsbolene would say snxiously
for Instance:
why. how pale you are to-day, Routabel
are you suffering at ALP"
Not in the least was never better; blu
thou, old MANI"
No older man that you are, my boy"-
True but il seems to me that you do no
breathe easily"
Purest fancy. I've wind enough still, If
wished it, TO play the trombone"
Another time the dialog varied slightly
Thy father Babolene; it was congestion o
the lungs, was it not. which carried him eff
Exactly. congestion of the lungs, the SAM
ant ind Oft III n 81.