Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1900-08-03


pulse was too strong to resist, and he
passed IN the doorway and held out
bis hand.
What's the matter with Jim Rob-
binsT' he laughingly called.
In an Instant his friends hand
gripped his.
spencer, old man. so glad TO see
your lie pushed Spencer OF a little
and held him there. "You are looking
prime" he said. And, by Georgel
you are Just In time" He laughed as
he spoke, and looted at Spencer With
such n comlcal expression that It in
stantly recalled TO the latter some
amusing experiences OF the dear old
school days.
"what mischief are yOu w tor be
cried. But. hero, I'm In the way.
Don't let me bother you. III see you
In the morning" And he drew back
and half turned toward the door.
Hold on" cried Jim. with n plunge
ut him. you don't get away from me
tonight. You stay right here until 1
can properly dispose Of you"
Hon. Jack Speed was seated at Jim's
right and Spencer nj bis left, much 10
the lattcr's Increased uneaslnpss. Then
the banquet commenced. aud for an
hour the chatter and chatter continued
without q break. Jim was as delight.
ful as Of yorc. dividing his attention
very equally between the guest OF the
evening aud Spencer. but the latter's
heart was nlled with a vague distrust.
When the clattcr finally ceased. Jim
raped on the table, and In a nice little
speech told Of the purpose OF the ban
quot lie introduced the mayor. who
briefly welcomed bach Hon. Mr.. Speed
Ia Palmyra. Then lion. Mr.. Speed re-
spOndcd In a brisk speech. testifyiag to
his delight IN returning home to such
friends aud sucli Al welcome. q senJ-
= mcnt which was greeted with loud ap-
plause. Then jim rose again. with n
crumpled telegram I'm his hand. He
much regretted, lie said, to be obliged
to announce that Hon. Dwight Per
klns could not be with them. A tele-
gram he hai inst received announced q
railway accident that blocked-the road
md held back Mr.. Perkins, 60 miles
away.
"Our regret. however" said Jim. "is
somewhat mItlgatcd by the fact that
we fortunately have with us as M
honored guest one Of the most promi
ncnt Of New York's young p%olitlca
and social leaders. Mr.. Spencer Clifford
who will talk TO us on the question OI
the hour"
As Jim sat down n pattcr OF applause
ian round the hall and the long lines uI
faces assumed an cxpectant express
sion.
Remember your old debating tri
umphs," whispered The pertldious Jim
and sail n"
Spencer gave him n horrible scowl a:
he rose TO his feet, Then he turned tC
the auditors with a pleasant smile, II,
put his teeth together hard. lie
wouldn't lie blufed And deep down
in his sOul be felt gratifcd that jim,
despite his cOnsuminato meanness
had confidence In him. Jim knew he
wouldn't Gukc. lie would say n word
or two and retire as gracefully as pos
siblc.
Va IlNhftls AlAtt oh tiplItA''
wind up, finally took his scat. the ap
plause was vigorous and long drawn
out. ind jim, his face flushed and his
eyes sparkling, grabbed Spencer's hand
under the tahle and squeezed 1t hard
and said: Great, my boy, great You
ought 10 get down on your Bonded
knees TO me for bringing you out"
When Il was all over, Jim said: 1--WE
must get III coats aud hunt up Min
ME. Minnie Is Mrs. Jim. She's a little
Jealous of you now. Don't make her
more so. BY the way. she has a young
woman from your overgrown town 10
low tonight, and wen have to escort
he. 10 her aunt's home. Know herr
She's IA Miss Anna Goldle."
A little later they were out in the
open air. Anna walking with Spencer
and Mr.. and Mrs. Jim going ahead,
that acute married dame having ap.
parently sized up the situation.
After hearing you this evening. .
said Anna softly. 81 think this is the
field you are fitted for"
There was q pause. They fell bach
q little farther.
do you know" he asked abruptly
what II Is that has awakened mel"
NO" she answered.
at is love" lie said.
He looked down at her. Her fac,
was averted.
do you know what brought m,
down heref DO you know what car
gied me through that speech tonight7
"No." she softly murmured.
"Youl"
A half hour later he stopped Mrs
Jim as she excused herself TO the tw,
men smoking In the library,
"One moment" he said. II wan
you TO know that I had mentally prom
ised your scamp of a husband a SCUM
%tbrashiug for the liberty lie took wit
my name tonight. but I've found h
blundered Into doing me n favor. In
going to forgive him. I've even gon
so fur as to bless him" He held GU
both hands. Congratulate me. dea
friends" he cried. with a radiant smllC
, sI'm n Varv hnnnv md a varv forft