Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-03-24

He took n step or two forward and
laid hand on Larry Doncvan's arm.
Some one else Immediately seized the
other arm. and Donovan was marched
into the cafe at double quick.
Nothing strong for me-" declared
Donovan. i've been on the water
wagon for a year. and I'm going TO
stay there. I know when I'm safe"
One OF the men on the other side Of
the table looked across At Miller with
shake OF his head. He was aware.
as Miller was also. that Donovan had
not always known when he was safe.
but. on the contrary, had put himself
, into very grave peril That warning
glance embarrassed Miller. who had
been upon the point of ordering some
ming hot and strong for all hands with
out regard to Donovan's refusal While
he hesitated some one else stepped in
TO the breach and gave the order.
What time are you going to show
up ut the dance tonight?" asked one OF
the men.
Donovan turned to Miller.
What hour did you mention TO our
coachmanT' he inquired. with mock
dignity
Aren't the trolleys running this
EVENING" inquired some -ane
'Not for us" responded honovan. IF
/ should get into a trolley car in the
costume I'm going to wear tonight I'd
be mistaken for the owner Of the whole
street railroad outfit"
Whats the cOstumeT"
"a suit of red tights. two horns and
TAIL" answered Larry. mo sir:
| don't want TO make the conductor
! nervous. Miller and l." he added in
more serious tone, are going TO escort
Miss Mahan and her cousin from out
Of town, Miss Lantry. Did you see
about the carriage. HarveyT'
Miller nodded, while two or three Of
the other men secretly exchanged
| glances. II was more than suspected
among their inmates that both Miller
and Donovan were seriously smitten
| with sweet Kitty Mahan and that Mil
| Ter had been the less successful rival
| for her gracious notice. There had been
| gossip that he had not taken his de-
| feat with a good grace, and as he had
/ the heavy tenacity of purpose charac-
| teristic OF many men OF English blood
IL was regarded as surprising that he
| should be found playing the part OF
I serviceable friend and escort TO the
country cousin.
| Now, the truth is that this was more
surprising 10 Miller than IL could pos
sibly be 10 anybody else. His pride
/ gnawed his vltals whenever he realized
the position into which he had been
drifting during the last few months
! and especially since Miss Lantry had
/ come TO the city. He cared nothing at
all for that estimable young lady. Her
| presence gave him an opportunity for
seeing more of Kitty Mahan, particu-
larry for seeing her and Lawrence Don
ovan together. for spying upon them I'm
order 10 discover whether there existed
between them anything that could be
called an understanding. This Observa-
ton had filled his heart with bitter
ness, for 1t had revealed 70 him the
very many ways In which Donovan ex-
celled him as "a cavalier. and yet II had
satisfied him that Kitty was still heart
free. SO far as she herself knew.
| IL Donovan could be removed from
the scene for awhile. IL he should suffer
some reverse I'm this sentimental battle.
II he should cease 10 be so amusing TO
Kitty, with his SONGS and stories and
uufailing light heartedness. there might
be chance for Harvey Miller
I'm told that Florence has a stun
ming costume" said Donovan aside 90
Miller. Il suppose she wouldn't tell
you what IL was"
NO" he replied. but we shall soon
see. Here's her health with all my
heart She is a very charming girl"
He touched his glass 10 Larrys, and
the trick was done. Larry had not
quite the strength 10 decline the toast.
and so he raised the glass 20 his lips.
Five minutes later every glass was
empty and others were on the way.
When Miller was upon the street
again Il was half past O'Clock He
had been I'm the cafe less than an hour
and had not drunk very much, and
yet the clock on the railroad station
opposite seemed TO have acquired three
or four extra faces. which lurched and
| gyrated and melted into one another
so mystically that Il was amazingly
difficult to tell the time. lie realized
his condition and knew that all the
other men were as bad. except Larry
Donovan, who was worse
Miller observed with satisfaction that
two OF the most reckless of the men
had attached themselves 20 Larry and
that they were leading him in a direc-
ton which would never bring Linn 10
his home OF TO the Irish societies
masked ball unless continued all the
way around the world. Considering
what Larry's tendencies had been for a
couple OF years before he became an
abstainer. there was 10 reason TO doubt
the issue. One OF two things must hap
pen-Kitty Mahan would not see him