The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-06-17

(Continued.l
Copyright, 1909, bx Albert Payson Terhune


 "But I've just told you"
 You've told me there was to be twelve guests. That's all right. There'll be only twelve. I'll be one Of the twelve Blacarda was invited Hes laid up in the hospital from a car ac- c'dent an can't come. I'm helpin' you out by takin' his place. No incon- venience to anyone. Unless mayDe you think your daughter an your SIS ter!in-law won't care .aneet,, to meet me- fnned Standish. in fearful straits. "They'd d be very glad indeed. But"
 ''Then that's settled" decided Con- over. Thanks"
 He bent over the check book. pen in hand. Standish, at his wits end, made one, more attempt to drag himself free of the dilemma
 ''I know you won't be offended" he faltered with another dry cough. 1T I say frankly.-frankness is always best. I think.-that 1-
 Caleb closed the check book with a snap and whirled his desk chair about, to face his visitor: so suddenly that the latter invo1untarily started back. Not even Standish could now misread that dull. hot glint in Conover's pale eyes.
 Look here. MT. Standish.'' said the Fighter Don't ever make the blum der of thinkin' a man can't under stand you just because you can't un- derstand him. If you'd said to one of your own crowd: I can't invite you to my house because my fam'ly's goin' to be there: because you ain't fit to meet my women.'-if you'd said that to one of them. he'd a. been your enc my for life. You wouldn't a. dared insult him so.. But you said 1t to me because you thought I wouldn't under stand. We'll. do. Shut up! I know what you want to say. an I don't want to hear. it. I'm not comin' to your house for love of you: but I'm comin' just the sameI guess I've enough to beg from. he's good enough to treat civil. An you're goin' to treat me civil. This afternoon I'm goin' to get an invite to your dinner an the musicle. You ought to be grateful that don't insist on singin' there. I'm goin' on Friday. an you're goin' to pass the word around that I'm to be treated right. while I'm there. Just to make sure of it. I'll date this check ahead to next Saturday."
 A last remnant of manhood hared up within the consumptive old bank pres ident's fwithered soul.
 ''Im not to be bulldozed. MT. Con- overr' he said with certain dignity. Because you extend business favors to me. I am not obliged to admit man of your character to my home. And I shall not. As for the loan3' shrugging his shoulders. and tossing the check book back in the drawer, 'I'm not obliged to stave off ruin from a man that thinks Pm not fit to enter his home: That's all. Good day"
 He slammed shut the desk drawer and began to look over some of the opened letters before him.
 The old man had risen to his feet, his eyes fixed on the close drawer like those of a starved dog on chunk of meat. His mouth corners twitched and humiliation forced an, unwonted moisture into his eyes, 'tf+
 MT. Conover.'' he began, tentatively.
 Good dayr" retorted Caleb without raising his eyes from the papers he was sorting.
 MT. Conoverw coughed Standish in despair. 'T'll-I'll be very glad if you'll dine with us on Friday night
 Conover opened the drawer. tossed the check across the table and went on with his work
 'sI'll be there." he grunted.