Morris tribune., 1900-01-20
CHECKED BY 4 WRONG CARD

The attorney was in a reflective
his home. The afternoon had deGel.
oped business of great impC [Ance
which would take him 1000 miles away
during the next six months. The law
yer, however, was in love and dreaded
to leave the field free to his many RI
walls.
AS he walked along he pictured
himself in a certain pretty uptown
home, laying his love and lucre at the
feet of charming woman who, long,
long ago, had come to be an essential
part Of his existence.
While he was thinking over the
situation and hurrying homeward, he
was hailed with businesslike:
"Ho. Farr! want to speak to you
a moment"
Turning about, he faced the speak
er, a friend of his junior partner, and
in few minutes they were deeply en-
gagged In discussion of some obstruse
! question concerning a case which was
then interesting great many lawyers.
hCh C1C I"O pal LOu IAAC OAC w IAO
had hailed Farr handed the latter
card with request that he would give
it to Somerton, the junior partner of
the firm of Farr & Somerton. In the
hurry of parting Farr took the card
without looking at it, and only after
he had reached his residence, his mind
still full of the matter they had dis
- ~
bit of pasteboard. 1t should have
borne certain memoranda which Som
erton desired, but was, however. quite
blank, save for the engraved name of
the owner. With slight smile at the
others carelessness he tucked the card
in his pocket.
Supper over, he betook himself to
pipe and slippers. Then, lounging
comfortably in big armchair before
the study fire, he gave himself up to
the interrupted reflections of the af-
ternoon. AS result of his cogitations,
before he retired letter had been
written, addressed 20 "Miss Margaret
Lamore." In it Miss Lamore was in
formed that he would call the follow
ing evening on an urgent matter. The
letter, perhaps, was a trif1e stiff and
businesslike, but surely could not help
being clear to woman. So, at least,
thought Farr, and he went to sleep
that night to dream of gracious wo-
man and a successful suit.
The business of the next day put an
end to any further air castles for the |
time being, but when evening came he !
lost no time in hurrying whittier the |
letter had gone. Arriving there, ring |
brought the maid to the door-a new
maid, Farr noticed. With his thoughts |
on the coming interview, it was only |
in a mechanical way that he gave her |
his card and asked to see Miss Lamore. |
A few moments waiting, and then |
the girl returned to say, in well-bred |
voice, that Miss Lamore had an i'm |
mediate engagement and begged to be
excused.
Somewhat dazed by what he consid-
cred rebuff, Farr left the house.
Once more in his own rooms, he con
trlved within an hour or two, by the
aid of his pipe, to put himself in
mood which played havoc with sents-
ment.
An early train the next day carried
him rapidly away from his home, and
the woman. who, few hours earlier,
had been all i'll all to him. Now, how
ever he thought he had convinced
bimself that she was not worth the
wooing. Yet every single day of the
next half year had its full measure of
bitterness. souring even the great sue
cess he met with. Not a single night
but found him wearily praying for
sleep, to drive away the vision of a
proud, sweet woman, who so persist
emily haunted him. Sometimes he
wearied of both himself and the world,
but he was obliged to live and meet his
fellow men. even if woman had
scorned his love.
Time passed. and the conclusion OF
his mission allowed him to return
home But little more than six months
from the day when Margaret Lamore
had made life seem 80 gloomy to him
he was once again in his native town.
On the day of his return, Somerton
insisted that he should dine with him
at the earliest possible opportunity,
and, of course, tired though he was
and desirous of nothing beyond peace
and melancholy quiet, he was com.
PEELED to accept the invitation 50
warmly pressed upon him. Accord1ng.