Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-17

leelf did not understand the lack of. He was, now that he knew Plank, con- Tented to accept him anywhere he met Rhlm. but Pank's upward revolutions Supon the social ladder were of no in erest to him, and his naive snobbery was becoming something of bore.
 So Siward directed the conversation Unto other channels, and Plank. accept ling another cup of tea, became very communicative about his stables and This dogs.
 I--would you-I should like to ask (you to try some shooting at the Fells," stammered Plank, next season if you would care to-
 You're very good. I should like to if were going to shoot at all, but fancy my shooting days are over for awhile"
 | "Over!
 "Business," nodded Siward, absently ! grave again. q see no prospect of my idling for the next year or two" You are in--in Amalgamated Elec- trio, think" ventured Plank. ''Very much in," replied the other frankly. You've read the papers and heard rumors, I suppose?" "Some. I don't suppose anybody quite understands the attacks on Anal gamated." T don't-not yet Do you"
 Plank sat silent; then his shrewd under lip began to protrude.
 'I'm wondering" he began cautious. ly, "how much the Algonquin crowd understands about the matter?'
 Siward's troubled eyes were on him as he spoke, watching closely, nar- \ rowly.
 'T've heard that rumor before," he said. "So have l." said Plank, land it seems incredible" He looked warily at Siward. Suppose it is true that the Algonquin Trust company is god father to 1ntercounty. That doesn't explain why a man should kick his own door down when there's bell to ring and servants to let him in-and out again too"
 T have wondered" said Siward, whether the door he might be inclin- ed to kick down is really his OWL door any longer" ........
 T, too," said Plank simply. Tt may belong to a personal enemy-if he has any. He could ahoru to nave an enc my, suppose"
 Siward nodded.
 "Then hadn't you better-I beg your pardon! You have not asked me to advise you" f'''
 "No l may ask your advice some day. Will you give it when I do?'
 With pleasure" said Plank, so warmly disinterested, so plainly proud and eager to do a service that Slward. surprised and touched, found no word to utter.
 Plank rose. Siward attempted to stand up, but had trouble with his crutches.
 Please don't try" said Plank, con- ing over and offering his hand. May 1 I stop in again soon? Oh, you are off to the country for month or two? I see. You don't look very well. I hope 1t will benefit you. Awfully glad to have seen you. IT hope you won't forget me-entirely."
 'I am the man people are forget ting" returned Siward. mot you. It was very nice of you tn come. You are one of very few who remember me at all"
 q have very few people to remem. ber." said Plank, "and if had as many as I could desire I should re. member you first"
 Here he became very much embar. rassed. Slward offered his hand again. Plank shook 1t awkwardly and went away on tiptoe down the stairs. which creaked decorously under his weight
 And that ended the first interview between Plank and Siward in the first days of the latter's decline.
 The months that passed during Sl- wards absence from the city began to prove rather eventful for Plank. He was finally elected a member of the Patroons club without serious op- position: he had dined twice with the Kemp Ferralls: he and Major Bel wether were seen together at the Cath. at the opera. Once a respectable news paper reported him at Tuxedo for the weeks end; his name. linked with the clergy. frequently occupied such space under, the column headed "Eccleslas- tical News" as was devoted to the progress of the new chapel. and many old ladies began to become familiar with bis name.
 At the right moment the Mortimers featured him between two fashionable bishops at dinner Mrs. Vendenning. who a6ored bishops. immediately re membered him among those asked to her famous annual bal poudre. a cele- brated yacht club admitted him to membership. a whole sh0al Of excel. lent minor clubs which really needed new members followed suit. ard even the rockribbed Lenox. wearied of its own time honored Immobility. display cd the preliminary fidgets which boded well for the stolid candidate.
 Yes. he was doing well. for that des- posic beauty. Sylvia Landis. whose ca pricIous perversity had recently aston ished these who remembered her fin her first season as a sweet. reasonable and unspoiled girl. was always friend ly with him. That must he looked up- on as important. considering SylvIa's unassaIlabic position and her kInship to the autocratlc o.d lady whose kindly ukase had for generations remained the undiSputed law in tke social sys