Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-20

'-rnefT ls no Such thing as top late for that" said Sir John in his great wisdom. Even If you were both quite old 1t would not be too late. I have known it longer than you. found 1t out two years ago.
 Jack looked across the room into the keen. worldly wise old face.
 "HowT' he inquired.
 From her. I found 1t out the mo- ment she mentioned your name. con ducted the conversation in such man ner that she had frequently to say 1t, and whenever your name crossed her lips she gave herself away"
 Jack shook his head with an incredu- lous smile.
 Moreover" continued Sir John, ''I maintain 1t is not too late"
 There followed silence. Both men seemed to be wrapped in thought, the same thoughts with a difference of forty years of life in the method of thinking them.
 T could not go to her with lame story like that" said Jack. T told her all about Millicent."
 Tt is just lame story like that that women understand" answered Sir John. 'When was younger I thought as you do. thought that man must needs bring clean slate to the woman he asks to be his wife. It is only his hands that must be clean. Women see deeper into these mistakes of ours than we do. They see the good of them where we only see the wound to our vanity. Sometimes one would almost be inclined to think that they prefer a few mistakes in the past because 1t makes the present surer. Their TO- nance Is different thing from ours. It is better thing. deeper and less selfish. They can wipe the slate clean and never look at it again. And the best of them rather like the task"
 Jack made no reply. Sir John Mere dith's chin was resting on his vast necktie. He was looking with failing eyes into the fire. He spoke like one who was sure of himself confident in his slowly accumulated store of that knowledge which is not written in books.
 "Will you oblige me7' he asked.
 Jack moved in his chair, but he made no answer. Sir John did not indeed expect it. He knew his son too well.
 ''Will you," he continued, "go out to Africa and take your lame story to Jocelyn-just as 1t is?''
 There was long silence. The old wornout clock on the mantelpiece wheezed and struck 6.
 "Yes," answered Jack at length, T will go."
 Sir John nodded his head with a sigh of relief. All, indeed, comes to him who waits.
 T have soen good deal of life," he said suddenly, arousing himself and sitting upright in the stif backed chair, ''here and there in the world. and have found that the happiest people are those who began by think ing that 1t was too late. The romance of youth Is only fit to write about in books. It is too delicate fabric for everyday use. It soon wears out or gets torn"
 Jack did not seem to be listening.
 But" continued Sir John, you must not waste time. If I may sug- gest 1t, you will do well to SO at once" i,seafi5r,
 "Yes," answered Jack, ."I will go in month or so. should Nike to see you In better state of health before leave you"
 Sir John pulled himself together. He threw back his shoulders and stiffened his neck.
 My health Is excellent" he replied sturdily. "Of course I am beginning to feel my years little, but one must expect to do that after-eh-er-sixty. C'est la vic"