Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-03-27

WIFI llurheu uledSlueSS, tuhl NlFS.
Louden would be willing to let you
live with u.s.
No." said Joe gently. 81 didn't ex-
pect IT. Well, ! won't keep you from
your work. suppose you're pretty
busy"
yes, am" responded his father
promptly. But I'll see you again be-
fore you go. want to give you some
advice"
"Pm not going" said Joe. mot go.
ing to leave Canaan, I mean. Where
will find Eugene!'
cat 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 l said
to come to see me again before you
CO."
Joe came over to the older man and
held out his hand. "Shake hands, ia
thcr," lie said. Mr.. Louden looked at
him out of small implacable eyes, the
steady hostility of which only his wife
or the imperious Martin Pike, his en-
ployer, could Quell. He shook his
head.
81 don't see any use in It," he an
swered. ut wouldn't mean anything
All my life I've been a hard working
man and an abiding man. Before you
got in trouble you never did anything
you ought to. You ran with the low
folks We're ashamed of you. l 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
toward Main street ut a lively gait.
As he turned the corner opposite the
National House he walked into Mr..
Eskew Arp. The old man drew back
angrily.
Lord "a mercy" cried Joe heartily
'Its Mr.. Arp! almost ran you
DOWN. Then, as Mr.. Arp made no
response, but stood stock still in the
way, staring at him fiercely: Don't
you know me, Mr.. Arpy" the young
man asked. I'm Joe Louden."
Eskew abruptly thrust his face close
to the others. mo free seats!' he
Missed savagely and swept across to
the hotel to set his world afire.
Joe looked after the irate receding
figure and watched it disappear into
the Main street door of the National
House. AS the door closed he became
aware Of n mighty shadow upon the
pavement and, turning, beheld fat
young man wearing upon his forehead
scar similar to his own waddling by,
with eyes fixed upon him.
"How are you, Norbert?" Joe began.
Don't you remember me? p He
came to full stop as the fat one,
thrusting out an under lip as his only
token of recognition, passed balefully
OH.
Joe proceeded slowly until he came
to the Tocsin building. AT the foot of
the stairway leading up to the offices
lie hesitated for Il few moments. Then
he turned away and walked toward
the quieter part of Main street. Most
of the people he met took no notice of
him, only two or three giving him sec
ond glances of half cognizance, as
though lie reminded them of some one
they could not place, and it was not
until lie had come near the Pike man
sion that he saw a full recognition in
the eyes of one of the many whom lie
knew and who had known him in his
boyhood in the town. A lady, turning
corner, looked up carelessly and then
half stopped within few feet of him
as If startled. .Ioe's cheeks went a
sudden crimson. for it was the lady of
his old dreams.
AS she came to her half stop of sur
prise, startled, he took his courage in
two hands and, lifting his hat, stepped
to her side.
"You-you remember mel" he STAN
mered
YES" she answered, little breath
lessly.
"Ah, that's kind Of your he cried
and began to walk on with her uncon-
sciously. 81 feel like a returned ghost
wandering about-invisible and unrec-
ognized. So few people seem to re-
member mel"
Il think you are wrong. think
you'll find everybody remembers you,"
she responded measily.
No; I'm afraid not he began. "I"-
She interrupted him. They were not
far from her gate, and she saw her IA
tier standing in the yard directing q
painter who was at work on one of the
cast iron deer. The judge was appar-
emily IN good spirits, laughing with the
workman over some jest between
them, but that did not lessen Nantes
nervousness.
Mr. Louden," she said in as kindly
tone as she could. Il shall have to ask
you not to walk with me. My father
would not like it,
Joe stopped with jerk.
"Why, IL thought I'd go in and
shake hands with hlm-and tell him
Astonishment that partoos of terror
and of awe spread itself instantly upon
her face.
Good gracious." she cried. "No"
VERY WELL" said Joe humbly. Good
by"
Joe gat him meditatively back to
Main street and to the Tocsn building
This time he did not hesitate but
mounted the stairs and knocked upon
the door of the assistant editor.
oh" said Eugene. you've turned
up, have you?"
"I've come back to stay, Gene" said
Joe.
Bantry dropped his book. Exceed
ingly interesting" he said. ~ suppose
you'll try to find something to do. l