The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1907-03-21
The Time to Shake Hands
Copyright, by Daily Story Pub. Coz
By w. A. hampton

| ana at MS cluD ne met VIII FORREST.
He was feeling wondrous kind to al,
the world and asked Forrest to join
him in high-ball. In his ordinary
mood he hated Forrest as one rival
hates another, and would not have
taken drink with him except in a
crowd. Forrest appeared to be in an
amiable mood also, and the two men
sought table in a quiet corner.
Congratulate me, old chap" said
Forrest, when the mellow yellow cur
rent that flowed between them had
swept their feelings close together.
Only too glad,' responded Ingram,
unctiously Whats the object?"
ION my engagement, of course
Sure, old man. Here's the best
I've got, and many happy returns. I'm
always glad to see bachelor depart
from the error of his ways. I'm going
to try it myself Congratulate me-
Forrest emptied his glass and called
for replenishing. 1t was in the ma
ture of a hurry call. Hearts were
strenuous now
Good enough Hurrah for both OF
us, laughed Forrest. When do you
depart from the error. My time isn't
set yet"
Nor mine. haven't had much ex-
perience in that line and | suppose
it is up to the lady to say when, isn't
it?"
"Of course, of course was Forests
corroborative comment. Have an
other high-ball?"
It's my turn" insisted Ingram.
Have one on me-"
"All right, all right, old. chap.
What's the price of drink between
friends?"
They were at the point when men
say things which they don't remember,
or wish they could forget, If they do.
Say" ventured Ingram, when the
question of precedence had been sat
isfactorily settled, who's the lady?
In the excitement quite forgot a lady
was a necessary adjunct of an en-
gagement. I've had SO little real ex'
perience, don't you know. Before this
time all mines been superficial"
Here, too. But your remark re-
minds me that the lady in my case
is Miss Katherine Prentice, the love-
Hest woman that ever"
Ingram sprang unsteadily to his feet
and held up his hand in warning.
stop there" he said, almost in a
whisper, which was all menace. You
are a id li-pardon me-" He caught
himself hastily and became calmer.
Miss Prentice is engaged to me, he
finished stifily.
What might have happened at this
unexpected juncture did not, because
at the critical moment, which would
have been physical rather than psy'
chical, a third man, Henry Vance,
came up to the table. Forrest and
Ingram restrained the rising tumults
within them. They had sobered. They
greeted the new conner, but did not
ask him to remain. Vance took the
initiative.
Don't be going yet, Ingram, he
said, taking a chair. Sit down again,
for a few minutes, at least. nave
something to say to both OF you, and
I'm fortunate in finding you together
in this quiet corner" -
Thank you, no, | must be going,
said Ingram, with an effort to be
polite.
Forrest rose as if to go with him.
Here, now, | insist upon your stay
ing, urged Vance, in the positive
manner of a friend who could dlsre-
gard ceremony. 1T is important that
both of YOU should hear what | have
to say. So sit down and listen. Then
you may pack yourselves OIL II you
are dissatisfied"
The two men sat down. but with
extremely bad grace, as Vance could
see hut his own business was of more
Importance to him.
Thanks" he said, looking from one
to the other. And now to thS object
of the meeting. am to be married
tomorrow morning at ten o'clock and
I want you two old friends to stand
by me to the finish. You know, OF
course. that Miss Prentice and have
been engaged for some time, and yes
terday she received letter from her
mother in London to come over by the
next steamer. We had little talk
this afternoon and concluded that the
best thing we could do was to marry
and 20 over together as slight sur
prise to Mamma Prentice who wasn't
expecting it for three months. That's
the story. Now are you with me-"
Forrest looked earnestly across the
table at Ingram. Ingram returned
the look. Each man gave a pull al
his collar as though it were choking
him. Then they arose and shook
hands with each other fervently After
which they shook hands with the man
who had asked them to stand by him
to the finish. Vance wondered why
they had not shaken hands with him
first, but he asked no questions. He
was too selfishly happy to want to
know what other peoples troubles
were. Or their pleasures, for that
matter.
Why He Recalled It.
why did old Billyus go back on his
promise to give $40,OO0,O0O for the es-