Evening star., 1897-05-08

walked by the old road and probably
| missed him. But by this time the walters,
crushed by the spectacle Of this travel
worn strangers afTectionate reception by
the great financial magaate, We're wildly
applying their brushes and handkerchiefs
to his trousers and boots until Stacy again
swept them away
Get off, all of you, Now Phil YOU come
with me. The house is full, but I've made
the manager give you a lady's drawing
room suite. When you telegraphed you'd
meet us mere there was no chance to get
anything else. It's really Mrs. Van Loe's
| family suite. but they were sent for to go
to Marysville yesterday, and SO We'll run
you in for the night
But" protested Demorest
"Nonsense!' said Stacy, dragging him
away. We'll pay for it, and 1 reckon the
| old lady won't object to taking her share
of the damage. either, or she isn't Van
Demorest felt himself hurried forward
| by the energetic Stacy, preceded by the
| obseQuious manager, through a corridor
| to a handsomely furnished suite, into
| thrust him.
I There. Wash up, and by the time you're
| ready Barker ought to be back, and we'll
| have supper. It's waiting for US in the
other room"
| But how about Barker, the dear boy?"
persisted Demorest. holding open the door,
| Tell me, is he we'll and happy?"
About well all are said Sta
| cy quickly. yet with certain dry signifi-
! Cance. Never mind now; wait until you
| see him."
/ The door closed. When Demorest had
| finished washing and wiped away the last
red stain of the mountain road, he found
Stacy seated by the window of the larger
sitting room. In the center table was
spread for supper. bright fire of hickory
logs burned in marble hearth between
two large windows that gave upon the dis
tant outline of Black Spur. AS Stacy turn
ed toward him, by the light of the shaded
lamp and flickering fire. Demorest had a
good look at the face of his old friend and
partner
1t was as keen and energetic as ever,
with perhaps an even more hawk-like ac
tivity visible in the eye and nostril but it
was more thoughtful and reticent in the
lines Of the mouth under the closely clipped
I beard and muStache, and when he looked
up at first there were two deep lines or
burrows across his low, broad forehead
He fancied, too, that there was a little of
| the old fighting look in his eye, but it soft
ened quickly as Demorest approached, and
| he burst out with his curt but honest single
! syllable laugh. "Ha! You look a little less
| like rowing Apache than you did when
you came l really thought the walters
were going to chuck you. And you are
tanned. Darned If you don't look like the
| profile stamped on continental penny!
put here's luck and welcome back, old
/ man.
| OF his seated partner, and, grasping his up
raised hand, said, looking down with a
smile And now. about Barker"
| on, Barker-d.-n him! He's the same I'M
shakable. Interchangeable. ungrow-up-abls
barker! With the DEVILS own luck. too!
Waitzing into risks and waltzing out of
EN-. with fads enough to put him in the
| insane asylum IL people did rot prefer to
| keep him out of 1t to help 'em Always
\ believing in everybody until they actuailv
believe In themselves and-shake him! And
| he's got a wife that g making a fool Of
herself, and l shouldn't wonder, in time. of
| him. - e' VI
Demorest pressed his hand over his part
! ner's mouth. Come, Jimi You know Won
| never really liked that marriage simply
| because you thought that old man Carter
| made good thing Of 1t. And you never
seem to have taken into consideration the
| happiness Barker got out Of 1t. For he did
| love the girl. And he still Is happy. is he
Eot?'. he added, quickly. as Stacy uttered a
| grunt
''As happy as a man can be who has his
| child here with a nurse while his wife is
| gaiIivanting In San Francisco and throw
| ing her money-and Lord knows what else
away at the bidding of smooth -tongued,
1 shady operator"
| Does he complain of it?' asked Demor-
| est.
| Not he; the fool trusts herr' said Stacy
| curtly.
| Demorest laughed. THAT is happiness,
| Come. Jim. don't let US begrudge him that
| But I've heard that his AFFAIRS have again
prospered."
| He built this railroad and this bote,
Ihe bank owns both now. He didn't care
| keeping money In them after they were a
success; said he wasn't an engineer nor a
! motel keeper, and drew 1t out to find some-