Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-03-05


 his hand long ago." said Eskew Arp. 'I didn't because I was stubborn. hated to admit that the argument was against me. I acknowledge it now be- fore him and before you-and l want the word of it carried!
 ''It's all right. MT. Arp" began Joe tremulously. You mustn't'-
 "Hark to me-" The old mans voice lifted higher. ''If you'd ever whim- pered or give back talk or broke out the wrong way it would of been diff ferent, but you never did. I've watch ed you, and I know. And you've just gone your own way alone, with the town against you because you got bad name as a boy, and once we'd given you that, everything you did or didn't do we had to give you blacker one. Now it's time some one stood by you. Airie Tabor Il do that with all her soul and body. She told me once I thought good deal of you. She knew. But I want these three old friends of mine to do it too. was boys with them, and they'll do 1t, think. They've even stood up fer you against me sometimes, but mostly fer the sake of the argument, I reckon, but now they must do it when there's more to stand against than just my talk. They saw it all teday-the mean est thing I ever knew! could of stood it all except that! Before they could prevent him he had struggled half upright in bed, lifting clinched fist at the town beyond the windows. But, by God, when they got so low down they tried to kill your dog
 He fell back, choking. in Joe's arms, and the physician bent over him, but Eskew was not gone, and Ariel, upon the other side of the room, could hear him whispering again for the restora- tive. She brought it, and when he had taken it went quickly out of doors to the side yard.
 She sat upon a workman's bench un- der the big trees, hidden from the street shrubbery, and, breathing deep ly of the shaded air, began to cry quiet ly. Through the windows came the ouavering voice of the old man, lifted again, insistent, little querulous, but determined. Responses sounded inter- mittently from the colonel, from Peter and from Buckalew, and now and then a sorrowful, yet almost humorous pro- test from Joe; and so she made out that the veteran swore his three com rades to friendship with Joseph Lou den, to lend him their countenance in all matters, to stand by him in veal and woe, to speak only good of him and defend him in the town of Canaan. Thus did Eskew Arp on the verge of parting this life render justice.
 The gate clicked, and Ariel saw Flu gene approaching through the shrub . bery. One of his hands was bandaged, a thin strip of courtplaster crossed his forehead from his left eyebrow to his hair and his thin and agitated face showed several light scratches. ? T saw you come out" he said. i've been waiting to speak to you.'
 "The doctor told us to let him have bis way in whatever he might ask. |" Ariel wiped her eyes. "I'm afraid that means
 T didn't come to talk about Eskew Arp" interrupted Eugene. I'm not laboring under any anxiety about him. You needn't be afraid; he's too sour to accept his conge so readily"
 Please lower your voice. she said, rising quickly and moving away from him toward the house: but, as he fol lowed, insisting sharply that be must [. speak with her. she walked out of ear. shot of the windows and, stopping, turned toward him. ''Nery we'll" she said. ''Is it message from Mamie:'' At this he faltered and hung fire. g Have you been to see herT' she continued. T am anxious to know if her goodness and bravery caused her any-any discomfort at home"
 You may set your mind at rest about that returned Eugene. q was there when the judge came home to dinner. l suppose you fear he may have been rough with her for taking my step. brother into the carriage. He was not OS the contrary. he spoke very quietly to her and went on out toward the sta. bles. But I haven't come to you tO talk of Judge Pike either"
 "No." said Ariel; T don't care par. ticulsriy to hear of him, but Of Ma mic"
 "Sor of her either". he broke out. '"l want to talk of your'
 There was no mistaklng him, no possibility of misunderstanding the real passion that shook him. and her startled eyes betrayed her comprehen sion.
 "Yes. see you understand- he cried bitterly That's because you've seen others ih. same way. God help me le went on. striking his forehead with his open hand. that young fool of BrsdbuIy told me you refused hin only yesterday. lie was proud of ever rejection from you. And there's Nor bert and half a dozen others. perhaps already since you've been here" H' flung out his arms in ludicrous, savag' despair. And here am r.
 "Ah. yes.- she cut him of. ''it is O yourself that you want to speak afte all. not of me-
 Look here.- he vociferated- Ar you going tO marry that Joe Louden want to know whether you are O not. He gave me this and this todayr : He toueheI his bandaged hand ans pIastereSf forehead He ran into me