Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-20

JuG lAtu6E Ulu uOt ISCO8u1A0 ulH bVut but stared at him, inquiring his busi- ness. During those few seconds of un- recognition MT. Louden was somewhat favorably impressed with the stran- gers appearance.
 You don't know me-" said Joe, smil- ing cheerfully. "Peshaps I've changed in seven years" And he held out bis hand.
 l Then MT. Louden knew. He tilted ] back in his desk chair, his mouth fall. ing open. Good Godv' he said, not noticing the outstretched hand. Have you come back?"
 Joe's hand fell.
 "Yes, I've come back to Canaan" I MT. Louden plainly received this as no pleasant surprise. "What forw he asked slowly.
 ITO practice law, father" | "What?"
 I ssYes," said the young man. There ought to be an opening here for me. I'm graduate of as good law school as there is in the country" ! Mir. Louden leaned forward, hand | on each knee his brow deeply corru- gated.
 l ..Who do you think in Canaan would put case in your hands?' l s'Oh, don't expect to get anything important at the start, but after awhile''-
 with your reputation?"
 But that's seven years ago, and l suppose the towns forgotten all about 1t and forgotten me too. So, you see, l can make fresh start. That's what came back for"
 l T don't believe" said MT. Louden, with marked uneasiness. "that Mrs. Louden would be willing to let you live with us.
 No" sad Joe gently. T didn't ex- pect it. We'll, won't keep you from your work. I suppose you're pretty busy"
 "Yes, am," responded his father promptly. "Bnt I'll see you again be- fore you go. want to give you some advice"
 I'm not going" said Joe. Not go. ing to leave Canaan. mean. Where will find Eugene"
 At the Tocsin office; he's the as sistant editor. Judge Pike bought the Tocsin last year, and he thinks good deal of Eugene Don't forget said to come to see me agaln before you go."
 Joe came over to the older man and
 held out his hand. Shake hands, fa- ther," he said. MT. Louden looked at him out of small implacable eyes, the steady hostility of which only his wife
 or the imperious Martin Pike. his em-
 ployer, could quell. He shook his
 head.
 'I don't see any use in it," he an
 swered. Tt wouldn't mean anything.
 All my life I've been hard working
 man and an abiding man. Before you
 got in trouble you never did anything you ought to. You ran with the low
 est people in town. and and all your folks were ashamed of you. don't
 see that we've got call to be any
 different now" He swung round to
 his desk emphatically on the last
 word, and Joe turned away and went
 out quietly.
 But it was bright morning to which he emerged from the outer doors
 of the factory, and he made his way i. toward Main street at lively gait i. As he turned the corner opposite the ' National House he walked into MT !. Eskew Arp. The old man drew bacl . angrily.
 < Lord "a mercyw cried Joe heartily z sIts MT. Arp! almost ran you : down!" Then. as Mir. Arp made D, i. response, but stood stock still In th' d way. staring at him fiercely: Don you know me. Mir. Arp" the younl s man asked. I'm Joe Louden." . Eskew abruptly thrust hls face clos !. to the others. "No free seats!' h'
 missed savagely and swept across t 2 the hotel to set his world aflre. : Joe looked after the irate recedinl . figure and watched 1t disappear int i. the Main street door of the Nationa ' House. AS the door closed he becam t. aware of a mighty shadow upon tn v pavement and. turning. bcheld ia v young man wearing upon his forehea' . a scar similar to his own waddling by 7 with eyes fixed upon him. f How are you, Norbertw Joe began # Don't you remember me? r. H i. came to a full stop as the fat ont
 thrusting out an under lip as his onl ,r token of recognition, passed balefull o on.
 e Joe proceeded slowly until he cam r. to the Tocsin building. At the foot Q ,- the stairway leading up to the office | he hesitated for few moments. The Ii he turned away and walked towar n the quieter part of Main street. Mos 1t of the people he met took no notice e. him, only two or three giving him se' if ond glances of half cognizance, a it though he reminded them of some on
 they could not place. and it was nc IS untl, he had come near the Pike maj ,e sion that he saw full recognition h. the eyes of one of the many whom D le knew and who had known him In hl n- boyhood in the town A lady. turnin n a corner, looked up carelessly and the e. half stopped within a few feet of hil m as if startled. Joe's cheeks went ,e sudden crimson, for it was the lady 1t his old dreams.
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