Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1900-03-16

4 u ntthA y lNA9
1.-TWO. said Peter, firmly.
"Wsll. two. but be quick.
Then Peter spoke mp like n man and
accepted the blame Of ITO Lalage."
"But Your initials aren't A. p" OBJ
jected Mr.. Politics.
ITO avoid nuspicion l reversed the
order. Mine are p. A."
flames. % said Mr.. Politics to the foot
man. ''pack Mr.. Allison's bag"
But Dora gave Peter the kindest and
most admiring glance as she murmured
softly to Adrian. They re lovely Oh.
don't you wish you could write verses,
Mr.. Pottles1"
Adrian started He had not bargain
ed for this. but Peter had overheard and
interposod
II am more than consoled by your
approval. Miss Chatterton. Mr.. Pottles
called 10 Adrian. and he had to go in,
leaving Dora and Peter in close conver-
sction. and to assure his uncle solemnly
that he had been entirely disappointed
and deceived in Peter. and. worse still,
in Dora. and that he never wished to
see either Of them again. Mr.. Pottles
shock him by the hand and forgaye him.
Adriun passed n wretched week IL
several newspapers he saw il openly
stated that Peter now admitted he was
the author of ITO Lalage." Peter
wrote that the $50 were most convent
ent and that he had had a most charm
ing letter from Dora. and hat all the
literary world was paying him most
catering attentions. Adrian ground
his teeth. but he had to write back.
thanking Peter for all bis kindness
Meanwhile Mr.. Politics grew restless
Every paper he took mp was full of the
praises of ITO Lalage." The author
WIS becoming famous, and Mr.. Pcttles
began TO doubt whether he had done
well to drive him forth with contumely.
adrian. lie said suddenly one
mcrning. 81 don't know that | did jus
tice to young Alliton. l shull have an
other look at that book. l shall order il
at Smiths.
IL happen to have a copy" said
Adrian timidy.
Get it, said Er. Pottles. Mr.. Pot
ties read it-Grst with a deep frown.
than with a Judicial air. then with a
smile. lastly with n ChuCkle.
ASK him to dinner. lie said. ''Oh.
and. Adrian. well have the Chatter
tons wish you could do something to
get your name up, my boy.
you like it, urcley"
Eyes, ara | like the manly way he
owned to it If he had prevaricated
about it, I'd never have forgiven him.
After this Adrian did not care to
ccnfeas 1t was too bad. Here were
both his uncle and Dora admiring Peter
for bis poems and creditiag Peter with
candor and courage. He was to lose
10th fame and Doral Ii was certainly
too much A sudden thought struck
him He went 10 town, called on Peter,
and, as the police reports say. ''made II
communication" to him.
at makes ne look like Il s%coundrel.
objected Peter.
1.-Two hundred at six months, " sug-
gested Adrian
"And she is a nice girl No. I'm
dashcd"-
"a monkey at threel'' cried Adrian
''Donel' said Peter.
1t was a sad tale of ~depravity on one
side and self sacrificing friendship on
the other, that Mr.. Politics and Dora
Chattertun listened to that evening.
lie had made, said Adrian sadly.
"a deliberate attempt TO rob me Of my
fame before, and he repeated it. And
yet. uncle, an old friend-boyhood's
companion-bow could | bctray him?
1t was weak, bnt l could not. | stood
bv opH Int hin, doortvo Won
you're u noble fellow, said Mr.
Pottles, in tones Of emotion
Indeed, yes, said Dora, with an
adoring glance.
There, let MS say no more about it,
pursued Adrian magnanimously. 81
have my reward. and he returned
Dora's glance behind Mr.. Politics broad
back.
The next time he met Peter he said
II am really immensely indebted to
you, old fellow. Ny uncle has come
down handsome. and if the monkey
now would be cow
"By CAD, yesl" said Peter. He took
it in crisp notes and carefully pocketed
them.
"And is Miss Dora kindf" he asked
"She's an angel"
And you are generally prosperous2'
Thanks to you, my dear old friend
"Then. said Peter. producing a
piece Of paper from his pocket. lyon
might persuade your publishers TO with
draw this beastly thing. 1t was a writ.
and it claimed an injunction to restrain
Peter from claiming the authorship of
ITO Lalage."
Then you've been publicly claiming
itf"
81 had to keep up tho illusion. Adri-
an. Do me justice"
'But, said Adrian. chow. Peter
how does it happen that the writ is
dated the day before we went to Clap
ham 2"
He paused. Peter grinned uneasily
A light broke in on Adrian.
"Why, he exclFjmed, you're the
villain who
Exactly. Wonderfully provident Of
me, wasn't itI What. you're not 60
ingf"
"Never let mo see your face again,
said Adrian. ~ have done with you