Connecticut western news., 1902-01-16
ADVENTURES
 AA OF CUPE The Story of . Poor Young MAn's Wait to the Country Seat
 Of Rich Friend.
By F. W. ARNOLD, Jr.

8oooooooooooocoooooooooooS
 The lace curtain was limp with rain, the windows of the house opposite re- lected the clouds, and Little Cupe's own window sill was blistered with iit- tie backs of rain on which foated to- bacco atoms. Little Cupe felt much as the day looked. "Go anyway" en- couraged the medical students The day before Little Cupe had seen Eb (all the medical students knew Eb, for he had been one of the more dis tinguished men in college), and Cupe had told his medical mates that Eb had invited him to spend Sunday at his home in the country. The medical student knew that Eb had eolored car riages and when at college had dined with the most exclusive families. They said he was "a darned bright man" and always talked earnestly and bravely when they met him. Eb was now a lawyer in his first years practice land doing darned we'll" they had wisely agreed. Little Cupe had begun the recital of his invitation as if ''it was nothin'," but had grinned with delight before he had ended 1t, and had dilated fhat a | lot of girls from the neighboring houses would be there with a young | chaperon.
 The fact that Eb had once given a theater party was the basis of Cupe's belief that he always entertained.
 But now Little Cupe wasn't sure if he had been invited. Possibly Eb had said, Drop fin some time, and we'll go out for Sunday" or, Let me know how you're doing. Drop in some Sat urday, and we'll go out Sunday" "Go on, Cupew the medical students yelled again. They were doubtless sim l cere.
 Suddenly pun of determination car ried him to the closet. He had decided nothing consciously. From its drawers he pulled two white shirts, seven single cuffs, six collars and two changes of other clothes (only per cent. diluted, of these things bore Little Cupe's own red stamped mark) and was shaking the creases out of dress suit Drop it!' yelled one medical stu dent. i've got to wear 1t this even- ing" All the rest had to wear theirs too. Lord, we're sorry" Cupe's own was torn and hadn't been mended. "T can't go," said he, depressed and look ing frightened.
 Sure you can. Eb and the girls will understand
 ED sat in his own ''box." his desk topped by two rows of fresh leather books and black tin box, Re Moul- ton" The senior offices opened through | the sunny doorways back of him. With business precision he was deciding that he would not stay In town that night, but would go to his home for a nine hours sleep and in the morning drive 1 to friends for the day. With a bust ness chirography that had made Little Cupe when he had seen 1t predict for him trust presidency he started to write to his friend to said effect (see above). But he noticed the door.
 'CoGe in," said ED.
 Fer thirty seconds a shadow had been lowering over It's gray glass. Lit tie Cape was out tide trying to muster courage to knock. At Eb's voice he couldn't go down tie elevator, so he pretended he had not heard him and made the g'2ss shiver.
 Come iIr' a~ain called Fh.
 With frighte"eI li;tle gria Cupe en- tered. His hands felt cold. lie shut tue door so that 1t would not disturb any body. He held behind him his birthday dress suit case.
 How are you, Cupe?" ED was al- ways glad to see his friends. "Sit down. I'll be with you in a minute" cigars. Have one"
 Cupe took one and held his dress suit case in his lap, but he didn't smoke, for he had no matches. Those cigars had always impressed him, and he had often told his medical students that he occasionally dropped into Eb's of flee and smoked his cigars.
 Eb continued writing to his friend that he would be there tomorrow and, handing the note to a messenger who came from the main ofice-Cupe was greatly impressed-said, Special de- livery" and then, leaning back. added: Well, Cupe, what can do for youf" as if surveying client.
 The stone faces through the window grinned flendishly.
 "Nothin'," answered Cupe. "T was bringin' this empty dress suit case from a store'-he pointed indefinitely | out toward the street-"and just stop ped in. I'm goin' right along; got to g0 now" He arose meekly and held out his hand, which felt as if its veins pulsed with mist. When he said "emp- ty" dress suit case. the two white shirts, seven separate cuffs, six col lars and two changes of other clothes weighed heavy with guilt. l Cant you come out to dinnerT ED thought Cupe would enjoy that more than his boarding house.
 Haven't any dress suit" Eb assur- ed him 1t made no difference, not the least. He believed all Little Cupe had said. Cupe. after deliberating a prop CT while whether he could get away, said he guessed he could go; he'd be glad to.
 Eb's house hid in a park and was dwelt in by two maidservants, one manservant and a chatty housekeep- CT. There was but little entertaining, though ED occasionally brought home some friend for the night.
 The room in which Little Cupe now stood was pink with lowered wall paper, lowered chairs and a lowered quilt on the bed. He had been shown into this bower by a man with side