Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-18

had bad name in Canaan for long while. It grew in the first place out Of shabbiness and mischief. but it did grow, and if people keep on giving him a bad name the time will come when he'll live up to it. He's not any worse than am, and guess my own name isn't too good-for girl. And yet, so far, there's nothing against him except his bad name"
 "Tm afraid there is." said Roger. "It doesn't look very we'll for a young man of his age to be doing no better than delivering papers,
 Tt gives him time to study law" she answered quickly. If he clerked all day in store he couldn't"
 q didn't know he was studying now. I thought I'd heard that he was in a lawyers office for Q few weeks last year and was turned out for setting fire to it with pipe"-
 Tt was an accident" she interposed.
 But some pretty important papers were burned. and after that none of the other lawyers would have him."
 Hes not in an oflce," she admit ted. q didn't mean that. But he studies a great deal. He goes to the courts all the time they're in session, and he's bought some books of his own."
 "well, perhaps" he assented. but they say he gambles and drinks and that last week Judge Pike threatened to have him arrested for throwing dice with some negroes behind the judges stable"
 What of it? I'm about the only nice person In town that will have anything to do with him-and nobody except you thinks I'm very nice"
 Ariel! Ariel"
 q know all about his gambling with darkies," she continued excitedly, her voice rising, and know that he goes to saloons and that he's an intimate friend of half the riffraff in town. And I know the reason for it, too, because he's told me. He wants to know them to understand them, and he says some day they'll make him a power, and then he can help them!'
 The old man laughed helplessly But I can't let him bring you home my dear"
 She came to him slowly and laid hel hands upon his shoulders. Crandfa ther and granddaughter were nearly of the same height, and she looked squarely into his eyes. Then vol must say it is because you want tt come for me. not because l mustn' come with Joe"
 But think it is a little because vol mustn't come with Joe" he answered especially from the Pikes'. Don't yol see that it mightn't be we'll for Jo himself if the judge should happen f see him? I understand he warned tn boy to keep away from the neighbor
 hood entirely or he would have hin locked up for dice throwing. Tn judge is a very influential man. yo know. and as determined in matter like this as he is irritable"
 l, "Oh. if you put it on that ground. the girl replied. her eyes softening.
 think you'd better come for me you seIf.-
 r Very well. I put it on that gron,d.
 he returned. smiling upon her. , Then I'll send Joe word and gs , supper.- she said. kissing him.
 It was the supper hour not only fo r them. but everywhere in Canaan. an
 the cold air of the streets bore up an
 down and around corners the smell P things frying. The dining room vii
 dows of all the houses threw brig , patches on the snow of the side yard . The windows of other rooms. exec
 those of the kitchens. were dark. f g the rule of the place was Puritanic , ia thrift. as in all things. and the go'
 housekeepers disputed every record | the meters with unhappy gas collecfoi
 There was 10 better housekeeper 2 town than Mrs. IIouien. nor thriftit . but hers was one of the few houses n Canaan that ereniag which show 't bright lights in the front rooms vhi $ the family were at supper It VI 1t proof Os the agitation caused by | arrival Of Egzene that she forgot 't tura out the gas in her pari5r and -e tise csars5e- she called Hbrsry her way to the evening meal
 Joe escsrei as soon ss De coa ? thcazi not before the count of his |