Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-02-02

you are going to do. It would relieve my mind. As matter of fact, con fess that am growing weary of tho mask" Warburton waited. You make very respectable but Ter, though, "-musingly.
 Shall YOU expose me, sir?"-per. sistently.
 "No lad. should not want it tc get about that former officer oi mine could possibly make such an ass of himself. You have slept all night in jail, you have groomed horses, you have worn livery which no gentle man with any self-respect would wear and all to no purpose whatever Why, in the name of the internal regions, didn't you meet her in formal way There would have been plenty of op- portunities. "
 Warburton shrugged; so did the colo mel. who stood up and shook the wrinkles from his trousers.
 Shall you be long in Washington, sir?' asked Warburton, politely.
 Tn a hurry to get rid of me, eh ?'' with grim smile. Well, perhaps in few days"
 Good night"
 The colonel stopped at the threshold, and his face melted suddenly into a warm, humorous amile He stretched out hand which Warburton grasped most gratefully. His colonel had been playing with him.
 Come back to the army, lad; the east is no place for man of your kidney. Scrape up commission and I'll see to it that you get back into the regiment Life is real out in the great west. People smile too much here; they don't laugh often enough. Smiles have hundred meanings, laughter but one. Smiles are the hidden places for lies, and sneers, and mockeries, and scandals. Come back to the west; we all want you, the service and I. When I saw you this afternoon knew you instantly. only was worried as to what devilment you were up to. Win this girl. if you can; she's worth any kind of struggle, God bless her! Win her and bring her out west. too."
 Warburton wrung the hand in his till the old fellow signified that his fingers were beginning to ache.
 Do you suppose she suspects any thirg?" ventured Warburton.
 "No. She may be trif1e puzzled, though. saw her watching your hands at the table. She has eyes and can readily see that such hands as yours were never made to carry soup plates. For the life of me, I had time of it, swallowing my laughter. longed for a vacant lot to yell in. It would have been positive relief. The flop of Troop A peddling soup! Oh, shall have to tell the boys. You used more pioe-clay than any other man in the re giment. Don't scowl. Never mind; you've had your joke: I must have mine Don't let that Russian fellow get the inside track. Keep her on American soil. like him and don't like him; and for all your tomfoolery and mischief, there is good stuff in you--stuff that any woman might be proud of. If you hadn't adopted this disguise. could have helped you out bit by cracking up some of your ex- ploits. We'll, they will be inquiring for me. Good night and good luck. If you should need me, note will find me at the Army and Navy club" And the genial old warrior. shaking with silent laughter, went back to the house
 Warburton remained standing. He was lost in a dream. All at once he pressed the rose to his lips and kissed it shamelessly, kissed it uncountable times. Two or three leaves, not with standing this violent treatment, fut- tered to the floor. He picked them up; any one of those velvet leaves might have been the recipient of her kisses, the rosary of love. He was in love, such love that comes but once to any man, not passing. uncertain. but last ing. He knew that it was useless. He had digged with his own hands the abyss between himself and this girl. But there was a secret gladness; to love was something (For my part,