Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-16

complacent air he wore when feeling
that he was about to get off a good
thing There is nothing more democrat
izing than a trout stream, Mrs. Bartels
1t seems as if a man could not go fishing
and practice prohibition or tell the
truth Oh the Lorelei was nowhere
compared with the sirens that haunt our
Rocky mountain trout streams, to lure
mems moral natures to wreck and ruini
Indeed would hurry him away from
such dangerous environment. Mrs, Bar
tells"
Anitas face flushed scarlet, her biased
perception comprehendinga deeper mean.
ing behind the carelessly uttered words
while she burned with Indignation. Even
a comparative stranger like this might
feel free to cast his stone of advice at
her in her humiliation. And yet, soften
ing, no doubt he meant his hint kindly.
Il think shall leave him to work out
his own salvation" with u sort of sullen
constraint that struck the unconscious
Ingalls, with astonishment and discom-
titure His complimentary opinion was
modified with the provlso that joke
was wasted upon her
Well, perhaps he may save his soul
alive, but wouldn't be too sure of it,
laughingly letting himself down to bust
ness again 4 think you will find this
all right, Mrs, Bartels." He briskly
stamped the check with q sharp click of
the little instrument, pushed the heavy
vault door shut and blew out the light.
Il believe that is all" he added as he
Joined her at the door.
Yes. that is all, drearily, She had
feeling that this was the last page of
her life at Orodelphia. as if she were bid
ding it an eternal farewell. and she felt
a childish longing to take some hand in
friendly clasp and say goodby Il want
to thank You" she said gently. 1T was
more than kind to give yourself so much
trouble, and the favor to me was greater
than you could readily understand.
Thanks, and--Ntios!
The bewilderrd banker, who had scarce
before met the lady with greeting more
familiar than the lifting of his hat, was
fairly overcome with embarrassment at
the warmth OF her hand clasp. the in
scrutable expression of her lingering
glance He had never been known as n
ladies man, even at the apex of his
Youthful gallantries. That is q role
liable to prove expensive. at the ruling
rates of flowers and bonbons, and the
thrifty man had been ever minded to in
vest his courtesies as well as capital
where most tangible returns might be
expected He was not to be tempted
into foolishness by the wiles of any
woman. but none the less while his
pulses pleasantly Quickened, he was re-
minded that he had once been rather a
taking fellow He wondered if it would
not have been the proper thing for him
to escort Mrs Bartels home-it was GER
talnly growing very Enthusiastically
glancing back at her graceful form al
ready almost lost in the dense shadows
of the trees And, abstractedly walking
along gazing over his shoulder, he had
run against man, and well nigh
Knocked him down, before he observed
HIM
Il beg pardon, Wells" he said gruf1ly,
recognizing the victim of his unconscious
charge There had been n little I'M
pleasantness at the bank that day, rela-
tive to an overdue note, when this man
Wells had made himself particularly dis
agreeable Hope you are not hurtY
the banker carelessly added. as he moved
on. i did not see you.
Il s'pose not. with an ugly grin, sig
niticantly leering up the street, where
Mrs Bartels had passed. The man haG
evidently been drinking, and his man
ners were not improved. Banking hour!
for ladies after dark, ell? Oh, we'll, wher
the cats away the mice can play"
Ingalls, wheeled around furiously. hi
rosy face flaming crimson, each hair Of
his sandy mustache seeming separately
a-quiver with wrath. Il have a gooC
mind to come back and knock yor
DOWN. he exclaimed, contemptuouslJ
measuring the boozily grinning ranch
man.
"Oh. no, you haln't; you amt bull
that way" with a haunting laugh. "YoI
can charge man two per cent. a month
an ten per cent fur toruey's fees whel
note happens to run little over tim
you amt here fur your health-bu
that is the worst you can do. When /
comes to standing up before full grown
man-bah! you look like one o then
fancy china salt bottles they get up now
adays-little toy men an women
burned if don't half believe you to b
one, with a drunken laugh. Eve
good mind to pick you up an turn yo
over, jest to see if can't sprinkle sal
out of your head"
If he had really entertained the nc
ton of undertaking any such experiment
the within was promptly extinguished b
a couple of well planted blows that lei
him sprawling half strangled, his hea
in the irrigating ditch. Ought to ca
him pepper BOTTLE" he spluttered wit
booty reasoning, as he ruefully blew tn
mud out of his nose. Might "a know
he had redheaded temper But TIL
amt the end ont. old two-per-cent.- i
month"; he bawled after his retiring Ell
envy "Tll jest ask Don Bartels for b
| of legal advice about 'sault and batter.
n mebbe he'll thank me for hiI
about your banking hours for ladies'"
CHAPTER vi