Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-05-24

 trick, Tom, and m marry you next June" I responded indignantly and 1 told her that was a member of the Anti-PolleT society. She said ''Bosh, |" ] and when got up to leave she refused to permit ne to GuA from her sweet lips the customary Parting salute. The thought that was trying to conceal my iniqurtios from her. But there was worse to follow. A few nights later when c0dled she greeted me with marked ooolness. This I attributed to mere feminine Onprice and so chatted @way in a happy manner about various nnattGrs to which she listened with a sarcastic smile upon her adorable face. l But l was accustomed to doing most of the talking and she the listening, SO ! that her persistent silence did not seem at all remarkable. Among other topics broachoSl was description of tenn porance meetingI had attended few nights before, I am teetotaler in every sense of the word and | stated proudly that had been elected secre- tary of the new organization. Then her pretty mouth assumed an expres- | sion of scorn.
 Sh1 you ljOCIluS! nllC SIiSu
 My darling!" cried, in amazemsnt.
 Don't call me your darling!'' she re- | torted, with flashing eyes. five had Q talk with papa and he says everything must be off"
 ''Everything off?"
 ''Yes, our engagement. He saw you hast night. He said that you"-sob- ''werc standing on the street corner"- sob-"with your hat in your hand''- sob-''holding the lamp post with the other'-sob-"and singing about'-sob -"'We won't go home till morning'"- sob.
 l started in amazement. My dear l Lucinda, there is some horrid mistake. Last night attended @ meeting at our Sunday school and"
 Here she wiped away the tears and assumed her indignant attitude once more. Don't make me hate you," she said. Why don'b yoa confess and well, I know boys will be boys, and, if you said you would never do it again, why, perhaps, l might overlook tlEis one fault and-and forgive you"
 sprang to ny feet in anger. ''I have been slandered and"
 ''Is that your reply?" she asked frigidly.
 It is"
 Then there is nothing more to be said"
 With that she took the ring from her pretty finger and handed 1t to me.
 'Good evening, sir"
 I bowed myself out in despair. So all was over? Those visions of a neat lit tie home were lost forever The next morning when my roommate presented himself fancied that he looked tired and sleepy. He explained this by say ing that he had been up all night with 1 a bad headache. He noticed my melan- | choly appearance, and, when told him all about it, he again offered his sympa- | thy and remarked in jocular manner: l "Never mind, my boy. There are just as good fish in the sea as have ever been l caught" 1 told him there was only one l Lucinda, but he shrugged his shoulders. | He then went out to attend a case in court, and I seated myself in discon- | sOlatc manner in my easy chair in the | inner office. l had slept little to speak of the night before and nature asserted l itself in spite of my heartache. l dozed l off. After a time l was aroused by | voices in the outer office and heard a | woman ask for me.
 "Ilc is not in," was the reply of my | roommate, and I was about to step out | when few words that followed arrested my attention and I remained where | was, listening: "If you have come on l legal business, madam, I will answer | your pup"so just as well. I am author | izcd to act for .hiu. l am his partner ~> you see by my name on the door. :"
 E, words filled mo with amazcment. lie seated, madam, and state your case" The visitor did so and he listened with the greatest complacency, offering l q suggestion here and there and occa- sionally asking question. When she had finished, he rcmarllcd Il think you | have good case" In this l knew he was wrong. The case was a bad one and no conscientious lawyer would have l touched it.
 "Thcn would you advise me to take the matter to the courts?' she asked.
 "I would. It would be foolish to settle"
 When she was about to leave she asked: "What are your charges?"
 "Twenty-ive dollars retainer fee and fifty more if we win"
 She took out her purse and gave him the money. You are really to be con- graduated, madam, that you found me in instead of nay partner" he con- tinued. ''He is one of those scrupulous lawyers who always lose their cases. Now I always win because am full Hf re- sources. Ha, ha! am just smart enough to dodge all technicalities. That part ner of mine is such conscientious idiot that think l shall have to break with him. I hate to do it, for the poor fellow would not make living if I-'
 Here I broke in upon them. The scene that followed beggared descrip- tion, as writers say, and so will not describe it. Now I understood why my practice had decreased. It also flashed across my mind that all my trouble lately was in some way connected with him. We looked alile-and saw every. thing! For month had been paying the penalty of his misdeeds. had