Waterbury evening Democrat., 1908-01-17

You hope so,' With the controlled emphasis of impatence. "Yes. Don't you. Miss Landis? When saw hlm at bis home he was lame on crutches-and he looked rather ghastly. and all he said was that he expected to leave for the country. l asked him to shoot next year at Black Fells. and he seemed bothered about business and said 1t might keep him from taking any vacation" 'He spoke about his business" "Yes, he"- "What is the trouble with his busi- ness? Is it anything about Amalga- mated and Intercounty" T think SO" .
 "Is he worried?" Plank said deliberately, 'I should be if my interests were locked up in Amalgamated Electric"
 Gould you tell me why that would worry you?" she asked. smiling per suasively across at him.
 "No." he said. q can't tell you"
 Because I wouldn't understand"
 Because l myself don't understand" | She thought awhile, brushing the rose velvet of her mouth with the fans edge, then. looking up confidently:
 "Mr. Siward is such boy. Pm so glad he has you to advise him in such matters"
 What matters ?" asked Plank bluntly.
 "Why. in--in financial matters" But don't advise him."
 'Why not?'
 Because he hasn't asked me to, Miss Landis."
 He ought to ask you. He must ask you. Don't wait for him, Mir. Plank. He is only boy in such things"
 And, as Plank was silent: "You will, won't you?"
 Do what-make his business my business without an invitation" ask ed Plank so quietly that she flushed with annoyance.
 If you pretend to be his friend. is it not your duty to advise him?" she asked impatiently.
 
 ciates to do. Friendship comes to grief when 1t crosses the frontiers of business
 | ''That is a narrow view to take, MT. i Plank"
 "Yes, straight and narrow. The boundaries of friendship are straight and narrow It is best to keep to the trodden path-best not to walk on the grass or trample the flowers" , "I think you are sacrificing friend ship for an epigram." she said, careless of the undertone of contempt in her i voice.
 | 'I have never sacrificed friendship. . He turned and looked at her pleasant ly "I never made an epigram con sciously. and I have never required of a friend more than I had to offer in return. Have you" i The flush of hot displeasure stained her cheeks.
 Are you really questioning me, MT. Plank?"
 "Yes. You have been questioning me rather seriously, have you not" q did not comprehend your defini- ton of friendship. did not agree with it. I questioned 1t, not you. That is all."
 Plank rested his head on one big hand and stared at the clusters of dim blossoms behind her. and after awhile he said. as though thinking aloud:
 "Many have taken my friendship for granted and have never offered their own in return. l do not know about Mir Siward. There is nothing can do for him, nothing he can do for me If there is to be friendship be- tween us 1t will be dislnterested. and I would rather have that than any thing in the world. think"
 There was a pause, but when Sylvia would have broken 1t his gesture com mitted her to silence. with the dignity one might use in checking a persistent child.
 ] "You question my definition of friend ship. Miss Landls. should have let your question pass. however keenly It 1 touched me, had it not also touched him. Now I am going to say some ] things which lie within the straight and narrow bounds l spoke of. nev- CT knew a man cared for as much as I care for Mir. Siward. know why too. He is disinterested. I do not believe he wastes very many thoughts on me. Perhaps he will. want him to like me if it's possible. But one thing you and l may be sure off hc does not care to return the friendship l offer him he will never accept anything else from me. though he might give at my request. and that Is the sort of a man he is. and that is why he is every inch a man. and so l like him. Miss Landls. Do you won. derI"
 She did not reply. Do you wonderT' he repeated sharply.
 'No." she said.
 Then He straightened up, and the silent significance of his waiting attitude was plain enough to her.
 But she shook her head impatiently. saying: "I don't know whose dance it is. and I don't care. Please go on. It isis pleasant. I like Afr. Siward; | like to heas men speak of him as you do. I Ike you for doing 1t. If you should ever come to care for my friendship that is the best passport to it-your loyalty to Mir Siward."
 ''No man can truthfully speak other wise than I have spoken" he said gravely.
 "So. not Of these things. But you ] L. L.