The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1902-11-14

/ In his buttonhole as he strobe into the
Office in the morning And IN the even
I ing, after she had gone and the old
! bachelor went into the private Office
l TO get the morning paper out Of the
/ waste basket, he saw the same rose in
q bottle Of water on Miss Gildersleeve's
desk.
After that he began to notice a lot
Of unusual things in Judge Roach's
dress and demeanor, and he whistled:
The CampbelFs Are Coming" all the
time, to all kinds Of measure, and
never in tune. Roach was unmistak-
ably irritated when Eben suddenly re
sumed the dictatiOn Of letters. To do
this It was necessary for the old fell
low either to call Miss GildersIeeve into
the main Office OF to intrude upon the
privacy Of Roach's sanctum. The Judge
began to conceive a deeprOoted but
unreasonable hatred For his old part
ner- Lufkin's correspondence began
to surpass all reason. The amiable
Miss Gildersleeve was forever taking
notes But now It was Eben who
mOnopolized her time.
The judge tried coming down early.
He arrived one morning at seven
o'clock. But Luflin was already at
work Then he tried lettering in the
evening, but Eben insisted on docking
up"
''I believe the old fool thinks Miss
Gildersleeve has ensnared me-" re-
Elected Roach, gnawing his mustache.
''The meddlesome fossfll"
As a matter Of fact, the Judge has
found his stenOgraPher so quicl-wit-
ted, 50 modest, so amiable and so come
" that be was beginning to consider
the prOpriety Of showing her a little
more personal attention You see. she
was the daughter of an old and re-
spected client and she had come to
town an utter stranger. Her manners
were those Of the nurtured southern
lady She was young, difident, indus
triOus, discreet. Why not show her
some Of the consideration which is
usually omitted between employer and
employer So thought Judge Roach.
II could do no harm, for instance. to
take her driving in the park after
dark Nobody would see them. He
could keep away from the crowded
drives and fashionable resorts SO he
asked her.
ooh. thank you, Mr.. Roach she had
answered, ''but I promised friend to
attend the concert this evening. It's
very kind Of you, I'm sure
He saw that she was pleased, fat
tered, he guessed. and BY the merest
chance he drove that evening past the
music stand in the park. He saw her,
her face radiant, smiling, chatting gay
" TO a man.
The next day. having asked Miss Gil
dersleeve TO withdraw, Judge Roach,
looking quite solemn. his hand tremb-
ling a bit, his face flushed. called Eben
into his Office and closed the door.
"Eben." he said, awkwardly con-
fused, I've been thinking-of course
it's Just a notion Of mine. but have
you thought anything of withdrawing
from the partnership-going in for
yourself. Eben2-'
"Yes, I've thought Of it, George"
said Lufkin, quietly, a sad kind Of
smile lowering about the corner Of his
gentle mouth, 81 think I'd have done
better alone, perhaps, but it's bit late
now, I'm afraid. You see, I've been
fitting myself to your necessities so
long that-but If you wish 1t. George
ooh, I don't wish II, Eben," blurt-
ed Roach, who was beginning to feel
very Cheap" 81 don't wish IL. I've no
fault to find. but you're different
kind of a man from me. you're little
tOO-that IS. you're too blamed slOwl"
concluded the judge. trying to Justify
himself by becoming brutal.
AS you say. George" answered
Eben. very softly, "I1l drop out. It'll
be especially inconvenient Just now
''Why?" The judge was resolved to
have no mercy.
'Well. you see. had arranged to be
married at New Years, and"
Married. Judge Roach forgot his
resentment in the surprising news.
yes, George" resumed the quiet
man. "we-that IS. Miss GiIdersleeve-"
''You don't mean to tell me that you
and Miss Gildersleeve are to be mar
ried, Eben!" Mr. Roach was growing
gray about the lips.
eve intended TO keep It a secret for
awhile. George"
aStop! Shut up. viii you! Just for
minute. please. Eben." The two friends
sat quite silent for few minutes. and
then: "Ebe, old boy" said the judge,
''you don't want TO remember anything
said about breaking up the partner
ship; didn't mean II. I Just wanted
to see what you'd say before went
away. 7 intended to tell you that I'm
going TO Europe for a month. think
III start tomorrow. Courts ad-
iourned. and You can look after every
4hsD- sra1r,Tfrr The rorraSroudeuce
eh. Eben?"
There was a vague smile as he said
this. but Eben laughed softly and they
shook hands, and when Mr.. Roach was
alone he looked absently out Of the
window and muttered:
"And gave him credit for being too
sEowi-'-Chicago Record-Herald.