Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1899-10-27

cility in adjusting himself and per-
meating everything. l haven't bit
of it. But it's something man ought
to have, | suppose, especially if he is
about to be married. If could only
be let alone, l should rather like to drop
in here occasionally and look on.
might pick up some of that facility my
self, in time"
The thing which he abhorred most
intensely and received most abundant
| ly was flattery. Next to that he dis
liked being questioned. 1t is often the
case with an expert at cross-eXamina-
tons.
One evening at the club Stanton was
fortunate enough to meet a man who
was not bore. His name was Richard
Raymond. He was engaged in the in
surance business in the far west, and
knew the country, even to the Pacific
coast, with all the wonders and treas
ures of its vicinage, rs we'll as Stanton
knew New York or Brooklyn. He gave
him more entertaining and valuable in
formation in five minutes than he had
often obtained at the club in an en-
! tire evening.
He knew Stanton, too, and said some
very clever things about him, but he
said them in such clever way that
I, they were not at all offensive. He
/, didn't stop the moment he had said
them and bow and smirk and wait on
! broad grin till Stanton had succeeded
In saying something equally silly in
contradiction or reciprocation.
Stanton smiled as he sat contentedly
listening, and commented with him
self: "If he were to digress to insur-
ance, now, and ask me to take out a
policy in one of his companies, l pre-
sumo | should do it," But Mr.. Ray
mond did not digress. He hardly men
toned insurance again. Speaking of
minerals, however, he said that he had
brought on q fine collection; it was at
the hotel, and if Stanton cared to walk
home that way and stop for moment
he should be glad to show it.
The collection proved thoroughly en-
tertaining, and when, in the course of
conversation upon 1t, the subject of
California wines was touched, it APP
peared that Raymond had brought on
some choice samples of these, too, in
proof of a pet theory that with proper
care in preparation, and proper age,
the vineyards of the Pacific could be
made to rival the vintage of the world.
While he was speaking of it he poured
out glass of the wine. This was a
little different; for among other social
habits which Stanton had never con-
tracted was the habit of drinking.
Il have very rarely tasted wine, and
should be no judge" he said, in an eff
fort courteously 10 decline; but when
Raymond gently but firmly insisted,
it occurred to him that there was some
thing of social duty in accepting hos
pitality, after he had been accepting so
much other entertainment, and he
drank the wine, much as he would have
taken out policy in one of the insur-
ance companies.
Unacquainted as he was with wine,
Stanton was forced to admit that it
was wonderful product. Before he
realized what he was doing, he had
lighted fresh cigar and made himself
comfortable in one of Raymond's up
| holstered arm-chairs.
1t seemed but moment later when
he opened his eyes with start and n
confused chagrin at the conviction that
he had actually dropped asleep while
Raymond was talking; but his eyes
once open rested full upon Sam, who
was laying his morning mail upon his
dressing case, and over Sans shoulder
upon the clock, which declared that it
was after ten.
Six days out of seven Stanton entered
his office on the stroke of nine, and this
was not the seventh day.
Seeing that Sam had noticed his open
eyes, he simply remarked: II am
ready for my bath, SAM" but when
the man went out to prepare it, the
young lawyer rose slowly and stood
looking into his own face in the mirror,
as though he might learn from it some
thing which he very much wished to
| know.
Society" he muttered, in unutter-
able disgust, and began slowly poling
the letters about that he might read the
postmarks.
1t Is pleasant to have broad shoulders
| upon which to lay the burden of our
shortcomings, even the overloaded
shoulders of society.
One letter attracted his attention.
more from its weight than from the
fact that the handwriting was Miss
Lombard's, 1t had evidently been de-
livered by messenger. He opened it
mechanically and held in his hand Miss
Lombard's card and their diamond en-
gagement ring-nothing more.
rs 1t broken, wonder?" he nut.
tered, slowly turning the ring over, be-
fore it dawned upon him that it was the
engagement, not the ring, which was
obviously the broken thing.
A creature of instinct, following in
stinct, he stretched himself, yawned,
and went into the bathroom, saving to
| himself: THANK heaven, therell be
| no more society, no more clubs, no
more wine, for me-"
AS Sam was leaving the bathroom,
Stanton turned upon him and asked.
abruptly: "Was brought home drunk
last night, Sam?"
Too sharp question or command
had always bewildered Sam, and always
would. y man often speaks the truth
when he is bewildered. Sam muttered:
Yes, sir" and then wished he had de-
MED it.
did the Lombards bring me home 2"
Yes, sir" said Sam; and, as there