Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-22
THE l.2 (. { MAN ON THE BOX
 By HAROLD MacCRATH @aT Author of The Grey Cloak" Puppet Crown" E sE
By HAROLD MacCRATH
$ Copyright Iso4. The Bobbs-Merrill Company.

The little maid leaned weakly against the balustrade. -
 "Kit, Kit! I say, Kit, come and see who's here!" cried John.
 An extraordinarily @pretty-Httle woman, whose pallor any woman would have understood. but no man on earth, and who was dressed in a charming pink negligee morning gown, hurried into the hall. "Why, it's Bob," She flung her arms around the prodigal and kissed him heartily, held him away at arms length, and hugged and kissed him again. I'm not sure that Mir. Robert didn't like it. ~-...=. Suddenly there was a swish of starched skirts OF the stairs, and the most beautiful woman in all the world tand I am always ready to back this statement with abundant proofs.) rushed down and literally threw her self into MT. Roberts eager, out stretched arms.
 "Nancy!"
 Bob. Bob: you wicked boy! You almost break our hearts. Not line in two months,-How could you!- You might have been dead and we not know it!"-and she cried on his shoulder
 Come now, Nancy; nonsense. You'll start the color running out of this tie of mine!" But for all his jest ing tone, MT. Robert felt an embarrass- ing lump wriggle up and down in his throat
 Had your breakfast" asked the humane and practical brother.
 Yep. But I shouldn't mind another cup of coffee"
 And thereupon he was hustled into the dining-room and pushed into the best chair. How the dear women fused over him, pressed this upon him and that; fondied and caressed him, just as if the beggar was worth all this trouble and love and affection.
 Hang it, girls, it's worth being an outlaw to come to this" he cried. He reached over and patted Nancy on the cheek, and pressed the young wife's hand, and smiled pleasantly at his brother. Jack, you lucky pup, you!'
 Two years" murmured Nancy; "and we haven't had a glimpse of you in two long years"
 ''Only in photograph" said the homeless one. putting three Jumps of sugar in his coffee because he was so happy he didn't know what he was about.
 And you have turned 2S," said Kit, counting on her fingers.
 That makes you 24, Man." Jack laughed.
 And much I care." replied Nancy. shaking her head defantly. I've a sneaking idea that she was thinking of me when she made this declaration. For if didn't care, why should she?
 "A handsome. stunning girl like you, Nan, ought to be getting married" ob- served the prodigal Whats the mat ter with all these dukes and lords and princes. anyhow?"
 An embarrassed smile ran around the table, but MT. Robert missed it by several inches.
 Jack threw a cigar across the ta- ble. Now" said he. where the deuce did you come from?"
 Indirectly from Arizona, which is a synonym once removed for war"
 Jack looked at his plate and laughed; but Mrs Jack wanted to know what Bob meant by that.
 Its a word used instead of war, as applied by the late Gen. sherman" Jack replied And I am surprised that a brother-in-law of yours should so far forget himself as to hint it even"
 By the way. Jack" said my hero. lighting the cigar and blowing the first puff toward the ceiling his face admirably set with nonchalsnce. do you know of a family named Annes- !ey-Col. Annesley?" I knew it would take only a certain length of time for this question 10 arrive.
 "Col Anneslev? Why. res. He was il the war department until a year ago. 4 fine strategist: knows every in sn6 ore Of the coast defenses. and Is something of an inventor; lots of money. too, Tall. handsome old fel- low"
 That's the man A var volunteer"
 NO. q regular. Crippled his gum fingers ir some petty Indian var. and was transferred to the departme3t He was a vidover. if ny recollection of him !s correct. and had a lovely daughter"
 An" There vas great satisszc- tion eTident in tsis syllable 'Dc yo7 know where the eoIezeI is 1ow7~
 Not the fsintsst idea He lived somewhere h Virginia Bg' he's besa CT the travel for several years
 Rote-1 stirred his roEse and took ! dropped ths spoon 'Pah, must have pu- i1 a quar- If suzar- Can you spare ns szottsr cg2,
 "Anneslsyz- Na-cy's fare bright snsi Col. Aa-ssIsy. Why. know Betty Anueslsy. Shs vss ny FOOT nate at Smith one year She vss n 3 uy zrzduztinz class IT shoz -o1 her picture later She uss ths dear sst girl. H5- sts loved ho-zss. B-t zhy z-s y0a s0 iz-e-ss-e5- --slyfT T za sr-uss tts- coming ho-e-
 Thsa yoH -s- Betty. Isn't she just -ts foTsliss- girl yol-svsr ssE Tn for Ter. o-s ard fs5iVfs5sls B11 hang -v Izez. never cane within s