Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-02-27

window and slid down into one of Mikes boats. so they'd both gone. When Mir. Louden come he only stayed long enough to hear what had happen cd and started out to lnd Happy-that's my husband. He's bound to keep them apart, but he hasn't found Mir. Fear yet or he'd be here."
 Ariel had sunk back in her chair. ''Why should your husband hideT she asked In q low voice. s
 "Waltin' fer his chance at Cory" the woman answered huskily. II expect he's afraid the cops are after him, too, on account of the trouble, and he doesn't want to git locked up till he's met Cory again. They ain't after him, but he may not know 1t. They haven't heard of the trouble, l reckon, or they'd of run Cory in. He's around town today, drinkin', heavy, and l guess he's lookin' fer MT. Fear about as hard as Mir. Louden is." She rose to her feet, lifted her coarse hands and dropped them despairingly. "Oh, I'm scared" she said. "Mr. Fears ben mighty good to me"
 ] A slow and tired footstep was heard upon the stairs. and Joe's dog ran into the room drcoping!y. wagged his tail with no energy and crept under the desk. Mrs. Fear wheeled toward the door and stood, rigid, her hands clinch- ed tight, hsr whole body still except her breast, which rose and fell with her tumultuous breathing. She could not wait till the laggard step reached the landing.
 "Mr. Loudon!' she called suddenly.
 Joe's voice came from the stairway. ''It's all right, Claudine. It's all fixed up Don't worry"
 Mrs. Fear gave thick cry of relief and sank back in her chair as Joe en- tered the room. He came In sham blingly, with his hand over his eyes as if they were very tired and the light hurt them, so that for moment or two he did not perceive the second visitor. Then he let his hand fall, re- vealing face white and worn.
 Its all right, Claudine," he repeated. ''It's all right"
 He was moving to lay his hat on the desk when his eye caught first the roses, then fell upon Ariel, and he stop ped stock still with one arm out stretched, remaining for perhaps ten seconds in that attitude, while she. her lips parted, her eyes lustrous, returned his gaze with look that was as in scrutable as it was kind.
 "Yes," she said, as If in answer to a question, 'I have come here twice to- day" She nodded slightly toward Mrs. Fear. "I can wait am very glad you bring good news"
 Joe turned dazedly toward the other. 'Claudine." he said, you've been tell ing Miss Tabor"
 "I cert'nly have!' Mrs. Fears ex- presslon had cleared, and her tone was cheerful. "I don't see no harm in that I'm sure she's good friend of yours, Mir. Louden."
 Joe glanced at Ariel with faint, troubled smile and turned again to Mrs. Fear. i've had long talk with Happy
 "Fm awful glad. Is he ready to lis ten to reason?" she asked with a titter Hes waiting for you" "Where?' She rose quickly.
 "Stop," said Joe sharply. You must be very careful with him.
 Don't you s'pose I'm goin' to bei' she interrupted, with catch in her voice. Don't you s'pose I've had trouble enough?"
 "No." said Joe deliberately and i'm personally, 'I don't. Unless you keep remembering to be careful all the time you'll follow the first impulse you have, as you did yesterday, and your excuse will be that you never thought any harm would come of it. He's in queer mood, but he will for give you if you ask him.
 "Well, ain't that what I want to do!" she exclaimed.
 T know, l know" he said, dropping into the desk chair and passing bis hand over his eyes with gesture of l infinite weariness. But you must be very careful. I hunted for him most of the night and all day. He was try ing to keep out of my way because he didn't want me to find him until he had met this fellow Nashville. Happy is a hard man to come at when he doesn't care to be found, and he kept shifting from place to place until ran him down. Then I got him in corner and told him that you hadn't meant any harm-which is always true of you, poor woman-and I didn't leave him till be had promised me to forgive you If you would come and ask him. And you must keep him out of Cory's way until can arrange tc have him--Cory, mean-sent out of town. Will you?'
 ~WEy. cert'nly," sne answered. smiling. That Nnshvlllc's the vurry last person I ever want to see again the fresh thing" Mrs. Fears burden had fallen: her relic. was perfect. and she beamed vapidly. But Joe marked her renewed Responsibility with an anxious eye.
 You mustn't make any mistakes." he said. rising stifiy with fatigue
 Not ne don't take no more chances" she responded. tittering hap pily: mot after yesterday. My, but tt.s a mad off my shoulders, | do hafe it to have gentlemen quarreling ove. noe. especially sir. Fear. I never did ifta ta start aarthinr f like fa soc