Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-16

posed to be decent. l don't mean in asking you to meet some intellectual second raters, but in doing it hand somely."
 T want to say" began Plank, speak | ing the more slowly because he was deeply in earnest, that all this you are doing for me is very handsome of you, Mortimer. I'd like to say, to con- vey to you something of how feel about the way you and Mrs. Morti- mer''-
 "Oh, Leila has done it all"
 Mrs. Mortimer is very kind. and you have been so too. IT wish there was something, some way to-to"-
 ITO what?" asked Mortimer so blunt ly that Plank flushed up and stam- mered:
 ITO be-to do a-to show my grati- tude."
 How? You're scarcely in position to do anything for us." said Mortimer, brutally staring him out of counte- nance
 q know it." said Plank. the painful flush deepening.
 Mortimer, fussing and growing over his cigar, was nevertheless stealthily intent on the game which had so long absorbed him. His wits, clogged, dull ed by excesses, were now aroused to a sort of gross activity through the men, ace of necessity. At last Plank had given him an opening. He recognized his chance.
 There's one thing" he said deliber- ately, that I won't stand for, and that's any vulgar misconception on your part of my friendship for you Do you follow me?'
 "I don't misunderstood it." protested Plank, angry and astonished. q don't''-
 AS though continued Mortimer menacingly. "I were one of those needy social tipsters, one of those shab- by, panderlng touts who"- For heavens sake, Mortimer, don't talk like that! l had no intention"-
 "-one of those contemptible, para sitic leeches," persisted Mortimer, get ting redder and hoarser, who live on men like you. Confound you, Plank. what the devil do you mean by it?'
 Mortimer, are you crazy to talk to me liko that;"
 No, I'm not, but you must be! I've a mind to drop the whole cursed busi- ness. I've every inclination to drop 1t! IT you haven't horse sense enough-if you haven't innate delicacy sufficient to keep you from making such a break"-
 i "I didn't. It wasn't break, Morti- mer. l wouldn't have hurt you'-
 You did hurt me! How can I feel the same again? never imagined you { thought I was that sort of a social mercenary. Why, so little did dream that you looked on our friendship in that light that I was-on my word of honor-I was just now on the point of asking you for s3,0OO or S4.000 to carry me to the months end and square my bridge balance
 Mortimer, you must take 1t. You are a fool to think I meant anything | by saying wanted to show my grati- tude. Look here; be decent and fair with me. wouldn't offer you an af- ! frout-would I-even if were cad? ! wouldn't do it now just when you're getting things into shape for me. I'm not a fool anyway. This is fin deadly earnest. tell you, Mortimer. and I'm getting angry about it You've got to show your confidence in me. You've got to take what you want from me as you would from any friend" ] There was q pause. A curious and unaccustomed sensation had silenced Mortimer. something almost akin to shame. It sstonished him a little. He | did not quite understand why in the E very moment of success over this stoIid. shrewd young man and his ! thrifty Dutch instincts he should feel uncomfortable. Were not his services worth somethingF Had he not earned at least the right to borrow from this rich man who could afford 10 pay for what was done for him7 Why should he feel ashamed! He had not been [ treacherous: be really liked the fellow. Why shouldn't be take his money2
 -See here. old man." said Plank. ex- [ tending a huge highly cOlOred hand. sIs al square between us novT t ~I think SO muttered Mortiuer- But Plank would not reIinquiah his E hard
 -Tksa tel ne hew tp erzu that rksrk. Great hesven- Nortfner. what h ffisrdship. anyhow. If 1t doesn't in- E .lzde Iitfls matters lEke this-littie mis- u-seztszsiaEz IEks thisT Tn the usz ts be sensitive. rot you- fou have b- vry god tQ zs MeEumer. !