Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-01-25
THE MANnON THE BOX By HAROLD MacCRATH Author of The Grey Cloak, The Puppet Crown"
Copyright, I9o4. The Bobbs.Merrill Company.

| to employ you! What name did you say?" I asked carelessly.
 "I didn't say any name, Chuck, smiling And I'm not going to give any, you old duffer."
 And why not?" .-..,--,-.-...--..
 For the one and simple reason that I am going to accept the position, - : with a coolness that staggered me
 "What?" I bawled.
 Sure as life, as the policeman said l last night"
 You silly ass, you. Do you want to [ make the family a laughing stock al! over the town" was really angry.
 Neither the family nor the town will know anything about it,"-inper- | turbably
 ] But you will be recognized" re- i rr1onstrated Its a clear case of in. sanity, after what has just happened to you
 I promise not to drink any whisky p soberly.
 Bob. you are fooling me-" l Not the littlest bit. Chuck. I've worn a beard for two years. No one would recognize me. Besides, being a groom. no one would pay any particular l attention to me. Get the point?"
 But what under the sun is your ob- l ject?" I demanded There's some i thing back of all this. It's not sim pie lark like last nights" ! "Perspicacious man." -railingly. Possibly you may be right. Chuck, you know that I've just got to be doing something. I've been inactive too long 1 am ashamed to say that I should 4 tire of the house in a week or less. | Change. change, of air, of place, of oc. cupation; change-I must have it. It's food and drink
 You've met this woman before, somewhere"
 T neither acknowledge or deny. It will be very novel. shall be busy from morning till night Think of the fun of meeting persons whom you know. but who do not know you. I wouldn't give up this chance for any amount of money"
 Forty dollars month" said l wrathfully.
 Cigar money, ey,"-tranquilly. Look here. Bob; be reasonable. You can't go about as groom in Washing ton. If the newspapers ever get hold of it, you would be disgraced. They 1 wouldn't take you as clerk in third rate consulate. Supposlng you should run into Jack or his wife or Nancy: do you think they wouldn't know you at once?'
 I'll take the risk. I'd deny that I knew them; they'd tumble and leave me alone. Chuck. I've got to do this. Some day you'll understand" But the woman's name, Bob; only her name"
 "oh. yes. And have you slide around and show me up within 24 hours. No, I thank you. I am determined on this. You ought to know me by this time. I never back down: it isn't in the blood. And when it is said, where's the harm in this escapade? I can see none. IL may not last the day through
 T trust not. ot."-savagely- ......5rs,- ..
 'I am determined upon answering this letter in person and finding ouL if possible, what induced her to pay my fine. Jaskass or not. I'm going to see the thing through Then he stretched an appealing hand out tow ard me. and said wheedlingly: Chuck, give me your word to keep perfectly quiet. I'll drop you line once in a while, just to let you know how stand. I shall be at the house to- night. I'll find an excuse. I'm to go up north on hunting expedition; hur- Y call. Do you catch on?'
 'I shall never be able to look Nan cy in the face" I declared. Come, Bob, forget il. II sounds merry enough. out my word for il. you'll regret il inside of 24 hours You are graduate of the proudest military school in the world, and you are going 10 make a groom of yourself"
 I've already done that and been locked up overnight. You are wasting your breath. Chuck"
 Well, hang you for jscsass. sure enough promise: but if you get into aEy such scra2e as this. you nesdn | send for me refuse 10 help you again"
 z csa: eIsctly zee that you did Ls,'s get out. Got a cigar in your pocke-. s11 positively dying for a smoke"
 Suddenly brilliant idea came 10 me
 Did you know that Miss Annesley tts r.rl yo- saw on sh!pboard. Is in Washington and rss q: the embassy last nightT'
 No. You don't say" He vas too clever for me. When get through with this exploit. Nancyn have 70 in- troduos me Did you see her-
 Yes, and talked 10 her You see what you missed by not going jas, night
 Yes. I missed . good nights res, and c cold bath in the morning
 Where shall I say yol ~srs las. nIzht,- asked presently
 Mister James strusE his ckiz dis. corcsrtsdly. I hadn't thought Of that Say ;hs, 1 net soue of the boys and Eot ni1sd ID ir little game ot poker
 -Tou left your hst n the rsek and