The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-12

Roach & Lufltin, Attorneys-at-Law."
That was the firm name. but every
body. including the Office boy and the
book-keeper. knew that Luflkin, Eben
Lufltin. didn't amount to much either
In the affairs CT the Office, as a lawyer
or as an individual. He was older
than Judge Roach, simmer, slower,
more silent, an old-fashioned bachelor.
As a matter Of fact. his position in the
drm was more that of chief clerk than
partner. He wrote most of the letters
'by hand" small, beautiful. legible
hand of which he was very proud.
Judge Roach made allowances" for
"Eben." as he called him. They had
been classmates at college, and the
Judge remembered that Lufkin had
been his guide, counsellor and friend
at school. In business, though, things
were different. Roach was assertive,
confident, pushing. He had up-to-
date methods and wore up.to-date
clothes. Lufldn had the scholarship
without any ability to "get there"
Roach was one CT those men who
would have succeeded from section
hand to superintendency. He got
next" to everything. After ten years
Of profitable law practice he began to
regard Eben more as one of the office
fixtures than as a friend and equal.
Being wealthy by inheritance, the
division Of profits with Lufkin didn't
matter to Judge Reach, but his part
ner's cautious, hesitating, methodical
ways began to seem irksome. Lufkin
imagined that he was the safety" of
the partnership. Roach began to think
he was hindrance; a dead weight
He no longer felt the need of an ad-
wiser, and he resented criticism Eben
seldom ventured to interfere with af-
fairs. but Roach felt" that his acts
were estimated, his words weighed
his manners considered, his behavior
criticised by the silent, watchful, gen.
tie old fellow behind the desk. Even
Lufkin's rusty black alpaca coat
looked like tacit remonstrance
against Roachs smart blue serge
military"
Hes too SLOW" thought the Judge
AAoo wy yOS, saiu Luihih "
himself.
wonder II EbenIl stand IT," thought
Roach, when he made up his mind to
employ young woman stenographer.
"A good wife would make a man of
him." mused LuflSin, who didn't know
anything about the impending innova-
ton.
The new stenographer was the
daughter of one of the firms deceased
clients. She was southern girl, with
\ bruno, serious face, much wavy
black hair, wistful gray-blue eyes and
. distant manner. Mr.. Lufkin looked
at her as he might have looked at q
strange, beautiful insect when his part
ner stammered an introduction, but he
took the large, white hand she held
nut to him and said:
THANK you, Miss Gildersleeve."
He was always polite like that,
even to clerks, servants and beggars,
and Judge Roach had an idea that It
was one OF the qualities that helped to
Keep Eben down. When Miss Glider.
sleeve had been duly installed in her
little corner, Lufkin seemed to forget
her presence altogether except when he
entered and left the office. Then it was
Good morning, Miss Gildersleeve," or
Good evening, Miss Gildersleeve," but
no more. She had been in the Office
two months before he ventured to die
tate letter. But he didn't keep it up
He seemed to prefer writing his own
letters with a pen. Judge Roach, on
the contrary, never had written sc
many letters. In fact, Eben, who nat
urally overheard everything. had never
known that his partner belonged to &c
many clubs, went to so many places
knew SO many fashionable ladies', was
in correspondence with SO many
prominent men.
But when the Judge bought brand
new oak, drop-top typewriting desk fol
Miss Gildersleeve and had 1t placed
in his own private Office, where Meth
er the prying clerks nor the receptiv,
Lufldn could overhear him debating
letters, old Eben got out the little oil
stone from his bottom drawer, and, al
he sharpened his penknife. whistlet
1.-THE Campbells Are Coming" in I
weird apd dreary discord. A few day
afterward he noticed that Judge Roaci
Nore . very brilliant rose In his but