Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-21

futility of it, he swerved to cheerful ness:
 T hear the boys is all goin' to work hard fer the primaries. Mike says ye got some chances ye don't know about. He swears yell be the next mayor of Canaan"
 Nonsense! Folly and nonsense, Hap py! That's the kind of thing I used to think when I was q boy. But now pshaw" Joe broke of with tired laugh. Tell them not to waste their time! Are you going out to the Beach this afternoon?"
 The little man lowered his eyes moodily. 'I'll be near there," he said, scrapipg his patched shoe up and down the curbstone. That feller's in town ag'in.''
 What fellow?'
 Nashville they call him. Eds the name he give the hospital. Cory-him that soaked the night you come back to Canaan. He's after Claudine to git his evens with me. He's made raise somewhere's and plays the spender. And her-wcll, I reckon she's tired waitin' table at the National House, tired O me. too. I got hint that they're goin' out to the Beach together this afternoon"
 Joe passed his hand wearily over his aching forehead. "I understand" he said, land you'd better try to. Cory's laying for you, of course. You say he's after your wife? He must have set about it pretty openly if they're going to the Beach today. for there is always . crowd there on Sundays. Is it hard for you to see why he's doing it? It's because he wants to make you jealous. What for? So that you'll tackle him again. And why does he want that? Because he's ready for your
 The others eyes suddenly became bloodshot, his nostrils expanding in credibly. Ready, Is he? He better be ready. I'-
 That's enough" Joe interrupted swiftly. wen have no talk like that. I'll settle this for you myself. You send word to Claudine that I want to see her at my office tomorrow morning, and you--you stay away from the Beach today. Give me your word"
 Mir. Fears expression softened. Al right, Joe," he said. "l'll do what ever you tell me to. Any of us Il do that; we sure know who's our friend"
 Keep out of trouble. Happy" Joe turned to go and they shook hands. Good day, anG-keep out of trouble!"
 When he had .gsne Mir. Fears coun- tenance again gioomed ominously, and, shaking his head, he ruminatively en- tered m adjacent bar through the al- ley door.
 The Main street bridge was an old fashioned wooden covered one. dust colored and very narrow, squarely framing the fair open country beyond, for the town had never crossed the river. Joe found the cool shadow in the bridge gracious to his hot brow, and through the slender chinks of the worn flooring he caught bright glimpses of running water. When he came out of the other end he felt enough re- freshed to light cigar.
 "Well, here I am." he said, across Main street bridge. and it must be getting on toward noon!" He spoke almost with the aspect Of daring and Immediately stood still listening. "'Re member,'" he ventured to repeat. again daring" remember! Across Main street bridge at noon!" And again lie listened. Then he chuckled faintly with relief. for the voice did not return. Thank God, I've got rid of thatw he whispered. And of the circus band toow
 A dusty road turned to the right fol lowing the river and shaded by big sycamores on the bank. The mongrel. intensely preoccupied with this road, scampered away, his nose to the ground. Good enough" said the master. Lead on and I'll come after you"
 But he had not far to follow. The chase led him to a half hollow log which lay on a low grass grown levee above the stream where the dogs in- terest in the pursuit became vivid; temporarily, however. for after few minutes of agitated investigation he was seized with indifference to the whole world. panted briefly. slept. Joe sat upon the log. which was in the shade. and smoked.
 For the first time it struck Joe that it was beautiful day. and 1t came to him that beautiful day was thing which nothing except death. sickness or Imprisonment could take from him, not even the ban of Canaan. Unforewarn- cd music sounded in his ears again. but he did not shrink from 1t now. This was not the circus band he had heard as he left the square. but mel Ody like faraway serenade at night. as of 'the horns of elf land faintly blowing" and he closed his eyes with the sweetness of it.
 "Go ahead" he whispered. Do that all you want to. If you'll keep 1t up like this awhile. I'll follow with Little Brown Jug. How I Love Thee" It seems to pay after all."
 The welcome strains. however. were but the prelude to a harsher sound which interrupted and annihilated them-the courthouse bell changing out 12 "All right" said Joe. Its noon. and I'm across Main street bridge"
 He opened his eyes and looked about him whimsically. Then he shook his