Waterbury evening Democrat., 1904-08-16

his pen in the Ink as ff to resume work, and Hanks sauutered away. The ink dried on the pen in George Buckley'g tense fingers. Finding him. self alone, he turned around and for several minutes sat staring vacantiy in front of him. His face was pale, his brows drawn together.
 's'Oh, my God, how am I going to face t1is?'' be said suddenly. "I have been blind, stupid idiot. She has sim ply been treating me as she has out of pity. She'll marry that man; she'I. do 1t. It's the way of the world-her world. Oh, God, give me the man. hood to meet it!''
 Suddenly Hillyer loomed up in the outer doorway and came into the of5re. He had heard nothing that had fallen from the lips of his clerk, but he saw his gloomy face Somebody's told 'im,' he thought He started to speak, but changed his mind and sat down, his countenance very grave. There was one subject he had never preached to George Buckley-a subject that the young man had made him feel was not to come up between them, and yet
 George" was the result of the old mans sudden impulse, and he stood near Buckley's elbow, Il axed the Ali mighty fer a sign that was on the right road to peace O mind an got it. want to say to you now, my boy, that in every. prayer I send up from this minute on I'm goin' to plead with i'm to give you all you want in this life. Do you understand? All-every thing!'
 George turned; the tensity of his features had given place to an inex- pressible softness, into which deli cate flush was rising. He laid his hand on the old mans shoulder and smiled.
 "Pm getting already more than I deserve, MT. Hillyer," he said. Don't bother about me"
 .I've told you what my prayer is to be, George; we'll see if God as good as ourn is won't grant it.
 IA fellow can stand a great many disappointments, MT. Hillyer, when he has as good friend as have in you"
 The old mans lower lip was quiver- ing helplessly t'Its awful-simply awful" he said, t.to want to help folks you love an cayn't, an have to stand by with hands an feet tied. An, George, that fellow they're all makin' so much over today is low ring poli-' t1cian without any honor or a soul big germ gnat's. He heads the process sion, with his white shirt full O dia- mond studs, shiny broadcloth an silk hat, an weak women faWn on i'm an think he's God Almighty, but tell you he's as empty as bottle o, wind. He's goin' to make speech to the children at Sunday school, an the programme is fer lem to decorate the altar with flowers. I Ihain't a-goin', George. That hain't what Gods house is fer, an ef went I'd set thar with heart full O rebellion"
 George stared at his friend with an expression on his face the old man had never seen before. It contained frank admission of his helpless captivity to Lydia CranstoTfs charms, and yet it reflected tense manliness- anlinesS bound, bowed and beaten.
 "He has been courting her over year, MT. Hi1lyer," Buckley said un- der his breath. si.s,.s.s.
 tsSo I've heard, George.'
 .'She writes to him-she mentioned that to me once. She showed me some presents he had sent her flowers from his own hothouse and other things. He's followed her everywhere, she ac- cepts these attentions. Her family all favor the match.''
 'sShe's jest woman. George-test a woman, after all-and they are all pine blank alike except in the sight of the different men who dote on 'em." George Buckley's face hardened as if under sudden reflection ''In all your hopes for me, MT. Hillyer," he said, .'don't forget that I am the son of a l Georgia convict. Remember that, and don't be too ambitious for me. was stupid and blind to allow myself toto 1 become her-friend under the circum- stances. ought simply never to have l entered that house. But--now listen, and let's never allow this to come up again No matter what I suffer now