The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-01-03
! tirely innocent of any such thought a.

creased tnan diminished, Cnarle gave
him up entirely, determined that she
would show Ned Steele that his friend
ship couldn't be refused twice."
So, under the existing circumstances,
they had anything but jolly time of il
in Bowes & Co.'S Office, with Ned grow
ing more stiff and solemn every day.
Mills absence becoming more and more
frequent, and the proprietor's face like
d storm-cloud from one weeks end to
another.
Giving up Ned in disgust, Charlie
turned his attention to Milton Hartley
and soon an acquaintance sprang up
between them that BODIED no good for
Mr.. Bowes' nephew. Unlike Ned, he
not only admired Milton. but he longed
to initiate him, at least in some things.
In fact, Charlie wanted to be "a man of
the world" He eagerly accepted Mil
tons invitation, one day given, to
Come downtown tonight, Page. and
I'll teach you billiards, if you'd like to
learn"
Ned looked up quickly from his work
and almost spoke the warning that was
at his tongues end. But the thought:
cts none of my business" kept him
silent. Conscience, however, gave him
no peace; so as they were closing up for
the night, he said
Charlie, don't you go with Milt to.
night. Your uncle won't like it."
''Is that any of your business ."
snapped Charlie, who knew very well
that his uncle would be far from
pleased at such an escapade. Don't
give your advice, Steele, till it's called
for"
Ned turned on his heel and left.
angry with himself for speaking, yet
knowing that Charlie was jtxt entering
a path that would be certain ruin to
such an impulsive, head-strong fellow
ITS nothing to me-none of my bust
ness" said Ned, savagely, thinking of
the hard luck Charities presence in the
Office would bring him.
"Are you too tired to take the work
I've finished over to Mrs. Coles for me
after tea, Ned" was Mrs. Steele's gen
tie inquiry, during the meal.
Not at all, mother" was Ned's
cheerful reply; and so he set out, i'm
mediately after his appetite was salts
fed. for the long tramp across the city
Though cheerful before his mother
Ned's thoughts were far from pleasant
as he walked on through the almost
deserted streets. Now and then fine
carriages dashed past him, and he
longed to be like the occupants
wealthy.
If he only had money enough to live
in a big house as Mr.. Bowes did, or
like Charles folks, he'd ride in a car
riage, too, and-but this Improbable
reverie was cut short by his arrival
at Mrs. Coles. He delivered the work
and turned again toward home.
Two figures passed before him out Of
a brilliantly lighted billiard room and
separated on the corner.
Good night, Charlie. Guess you can
get home all right" Ned heard Milton
Hartley's voice say. THE air viii do
your head good. 1t was confounded hot
in there. that's fact"
Wont you come little way with
fellow?" said the other, leaning I'M
steadily against the lamp-post. That
stuff l had made me terribly dizzy"
"Oh, thatll be all right in few min
utes. must be off. Good night"
''Scoundre.!" exclaimed Ned, as
Hartley turned the corner. Then he
stepped forward and grasped Charles
arm. Come on home, Page. I'll help
you"
SIS that you, Steele?" said Charlie,
thickly. 'Let go of my arm. I can get
along without your help. Let go,
say"
He wrenched away from Ned and
staggered half across the street, but
slipped, and fell all in a heap, too con-
fused for a moment to move. A car
riage turned the corner, and had Ned
not pulled him back in the nick of
time, in all probability the foolish fell
low would have been killed.
1t was all done in a flash-the fall,
the rush of hoofs, Ned's plucly action
then Ned Steele found himself lying
on the edge of the sidewalk, feeling a
little faint and with badly-wrenched
ankle. Mr.. Bowes was bending over
him, and Charlie Page sat on the curb
stone beside him, now thoroughly So
bered.
''Hslp me into the carriage with him,
Charlie" said Mr.. Bowes, huskily.
Had it not been for him l probably
should have run over and killed my own
nephew"
In his uncle's library, with Ned
stretched on the sofa beside him, Char
lie made clean breast of the affair,
and was freely forgiven. And Ned,
after some urging, explained his own
conduct toward his former schoolfel-
dow
''Why, did you think that 1 had any
intention of discharging you, Ed
ward?" said Mr.. Doves. "My inten-
ton was to discharge Milton Hartley,
and give you his position as soon as
Charlie was capable of doing your
work. You are fully competent, my
boy, so Hartley goes tomorrow, and
Edward Steele will be head clerk for
Bowes &5 Co."
This was good news indeed, and when
Ned kissed his mother, before he left
home to take his seat for the first time
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