Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-06

port of pistol, an Fruit mighty nigh went down. We parted 'em without. any trouble. In fact, Truitt thinks the world an all of i'm. George did i'm favor long time back, an instead O gittin' mad about 1t Truitt is worryin' over offendin' the boy. He would have apologized to i'm, but we all persuad ed i'm to wait till George was at his se'f.''
 The merchant took long. trembling breath
 T wish, Hillhouse" he said, "that you wouldn't let i'm have any more liquor if you kin git around it.''
 "Git around it?" laughed the bar keeper. 'If you'll show me a mixer O drinks in this county that would re- fuse that feller when he's off I'd like to sec i'm It would cost i'm his life. He's one man, squire, that ortn't to tetch drap, an between you an me l don't think anything but this scrape of his daddy's would have started i'm. George Buckley is the high strung sort that makes either the finest citizens UT the scum O creation.'
 T reckon yo're right" agreed Hillyer. and, turning, he went down to the warehouse, which was in the next block below. He found the front door ajar und s.sw al light burning in his clerks room in the rear. Entering and softly treading over the rough floor, which was strewn with chaff and grain and the metal ties of cotton bales, Hillyer stood in the doorway of l. .se, ,yo <@Q cigar smoke George Buckley sat near little table, without his coat, his col | lar off and his powerful neck showing through his open shirt. He glared up at his employer and then rose to his l feet and looked straight at him.
 George the old man began in 1 voice that quiyered through excessive 1 embarrassment, T was troubled so much about you that I couldn't sleep, so I got up an come down. I seed l yore light an couldn't keep from com 1 in' in.'
 1I don't see that you need bother about me- was Buckley's surprising retort I'm no blood kin of yours, l MT. Hillyer''
 l George, I'm as good friend to you l as know how to be, an jest want l you to know that, an ef thar's any l way under the sun that kin help you l I'll do it."
 "Then let's me n you come to an understanding, said Buckley. T don't know exactly how to size you up. I've been thinking about you all this even ing, and if don't understand you bet ter than I have done for several years l you and I will part. You can keep the money I've made and saved up. and l if could do 1t I'd throw the education you gave me in your face. My intelli- gence has been insulted. You have done all these things for me under the l pretense of love, but 1t was not that. Now let's understand each other" Hillyer turned as white as death could have made him. His eyes sank l to the floor, and, with a halting step, he went to the young mans bed across the room and sat down on the edge of it.
 "You do me great wrong, George" he faltered. If you knowed my heart''-
 l s'Well, that's all I'm asking. want to know what it all means. I tell you l I'm no fool. It's not whisky in me l talking either, for I've puzzled over it I for years, an now that this thing has I happened-an' don't care whether I stay in your town anyway-I'm goin' l to be told the truth. What did you l give me my education for, and this I start in the world? Why, as look l at you gazing at me now it seems to 1 me you are the very personiication of the fate that has mocked me ever since l I was old enough to know I was alive. I Curse it. what's the matter with you? I Can't you talk?''
 I Hillyer rose to his feet. I'm goin' 1 to leave you, George" he said. ITO morrow we'll talk this over. You are in no condition to-
 1 Taking a swift, steady stride for ward the young man laid his hands on 4 the merchants shoulders and forced him back to his seat on the bed. "No," he said; you don't leave here tonight until you have answered my question and satisfied me"
 Hillyer leaned forward, his face in his hands, and groaned.
 .'Then, George, I'll be obliged to speak of something that has not passed my lips in thirty years, but maybe it is best fer me to do it, considerin' every thing. Set down. I kin talk better if I you yvo,,'+ eA~ nd 7tc~o an' look nf
 me so straight. You've had yore trou-
 ble, an eff you have the heart think
 you have you'll be sorry fer me, an me
 an you maybe will be truer friends in
 the future. Gi' me. time I'll git 1t
 out"
 CTo Be Continued)