The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1903-08-12
EBEN LUFK/K, LAWYER.



tonhole as he strobe into the office in
the morning. And in the evening, af-
ter she had gone and the old bachelor
went into the private office to get the
morning paper out of the waste bas-
ket, he saw the same rose in a bottle
Of water on Miss Gildersleeves desk.
After that he began to notice a lot
of unusual things in Judge Roach's
dress and demeanor, and he whistled
The Campbells Are Coming" all the
time, to all kinds of measure and never
In tune. Roach was Enthusiastically ir-
the dictation OF letters. To do this 1t
was necessary for the old fellow either
to call MSS Glldersleeve into the main
office or to intruje upon the privacy Of
Roach's sanctum. The Judge began
to conceive a deep-rooted, but unrea-
sonable hatred for his old partner.
Lufkin's correspondence began to sur
pass all reason. The amiable Miss
Gildersleeve was forever taking notes.
But now 1t was Eben who monopolized
her time.
The Judge tried coming down early.
He arrived one morning at o'clock.
But Lufkin was already at work. Then
he tried lettering in the evening, but
Eben insisted on locking up"
Il believe the old fool thinks Miss
Gildersleeve has ensnared me-" reflect
ed Roach, gnawing his mustachs. "The
meddlesome FOSSIL"
AS a matter of fact the Judge had
found his stencgrapher so quick-wit-
ted, so modest, SO amiable and so
comely that he was beginning to con-
slider the propriety Of showing her lit
tie 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, diffident, indus
trious, discreet. Why not show her
some Of the consideration which is
usually omitted between employer and
employe? So thought Judge Roach. 1t
could do no harm, for instance, to take
her driving in the park after dark. No
body would see them. He could keep
away from the crowded drives and
fashionable resorts. So he asked her.
"Oh, thank you, Mr. Roach" she had
answered, "but l promised friend to
attend the concert this evening. It's
very kind Of you. I'm sure"
He saw that shc was pleased, fiat.
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
ly to man.
The next day, having asked MISS
Gildersleeve to withdraw, Judge
Roach, looking quite solemn, his hand
trembling 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 notion of mine, but I-have
you thought anything of withdrawing
from the partnership-going in for
yourself, Eben?'
Yes, I've thought OF 1t, George" ="
said Lufkin, quietly, sad kind of
smile lowering about the corner of his
gentle mouth, Il 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 it,
George"
"Oh, / don't wish 1t, Eben," blurted
Roach, who was beginning to feel very
cheap" Il don't wish it. I've no
fault to find, but you're a different
kind OF man from me, you're little
too-that is, why, you're too-slow!"
concluded the Judge. trying tc justify
himself by becoming brutal.
"As you say, George" answered
Eben, very softly. "Ill 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 Gildersleeve
| -" tH.ff
"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.