The Democratic advocate., 1909-11-19

door and relieved that perspiring part
ner Of his heavy suit cases
Poor Porty.' he soothed whimsical.
~. Il marked you from the window
and saw that the usual thing allied you.
send you TO work on case. and you
return with girl writ large on your
plump, fair countenance. Was It so
bad as all that? know what she did
to you, for you're easy. poor boy, but
who was she this timer" He pushed
forward the biggest chair and thrust
a cigar between Porter's willing teeth.
The two men smoked
Never mind. son; you always re-
cover. Some worthy tobacco, little
time and another girl, and history will
repeat itself. How about the case2"
Dispositions ali straight and fine;
good stuff" Porter answered briefly as
he wistfully scrutinized his partners
fine. high bred face. "Confound you
and your commlseratlon, Klngl need
the commiseration, however; that's
sure. But l Just live TO see you meet
your Waterloo. You're vulnerable
somewhere. And you have not met
Rose Law yet. Fate is bringing her
here tomorrow to spend the summer
with her aunt. Mrs. Morton OBJ
serve your finish. It's been due you
these three years"
"No. not till have something better
than pumpkin shell TO keep the lady
In. Porty. Dismiss me. But tell ME
what she's like. I'll have 10 hear your
ravfngs sooner or later. I see she did
thorough job with you. Proceed"
Porter nodded an affirmation. He
launched into hls subject with a whole
heart. The lady's list OF charms and
their effect was long. King was pa
tieut. Finally. as all things have an
end. Porter paused for breath, which
he Oeeded, being short and fat
"Is that allf Finish at this sitting.
I'm not always complacent with tho
meunderings OF a lunatic. What else
/ can't think Of another single charm
myself"
1.-TWO more. She's rolling in dollars
her grandmothers. And--1'm no dog
I'm the manger-any one could see she
Ii just the girl for you. little and fair
and"--
"Shut up. PortVp be commanded In.
elegantly. II hate that sort OF thing
even from you. I'm not In the market
And. you know. I'd hang myself be
fore I'd destroy my self respect by
marrying rich girl. The dollars In
themselves put her out OF my class;
that's ALL"
But It was not all, for Rose Law
came. was seen and conquered. Porty
had not exaggerated. And Frederic
King, with the quick knowledge Of
the man who has not desensltlzed hls
heart by constant exposure, knew his
queen at sight. The Waterloo had
come.
That summer silent battle was
fought. Choosing the discretionary
part Of vaior. King carefully treated
Rose Law, accustomed to alteration.
as he did eVers woman--with gay.
perfect. impersOnal courtesy. Il was
hard, especially as society, like nature.
knows a pair when she sees Il. She
was always his partner at dinners aud
dances, ut picnics and frolics. TIL In
sheer self defease he began TO devote
himself to little SallIe Grey, who had
always openly dOuted him. Then this
refuge was taken from him-a fash.
too warm, la the child's eyes bade him
protect her from herself.
Rising To mis- lead, Rose played a per
feet support. 9hen she became lead.
ing lady In his own play of friendly
indifference. They were friends, while
the world wondered. for to women like
Rose men are towers first Afterward
they choose between friendship and
the outer darkness. The girls vanity
was hurt, her pride wounded. She
was first amazed. then angry. Then
her heart was touched. She began 20
suffer Real love never plays with It's
object. Her skill deserted her. She
became silent. sensitive thing. regis
tering each day some new impression
Of Frederic Kings fine face and voice,
his little tricks of mind and body, his
strength and ability, his lovableness.
She became very miserable. waking
at night TO see no good, no charm, in
herself, to suffe~ what she had made
others suffer. She had not known that
love awakened and denied really hurts
She regretted her cruelties and became
so unwontedly gentle that before she
knew 1t she had three more hearts laid
at her small feet, She wondered what
others saw in her when she was pow.
erless TO draw the one.
AS for King. the thought OF the girl
gave him no peace. He tried yainly ia
fight her out OF his consciousness. He
did not know that she cared for him
but he had an overwhelming impulse
to ask her IL she could and would care
every time he came before her. he
would hate her "wretched money and
devised wild plans by which she might
lose every cent, so that he might storm
her heart. toll for her and finally win
for her her every wish His common
sense fed. The fortune became q
nightmare and life an emptiness.
One night he went early from the
Mortons' knowing that when the party
should go out on the moonlit lawns hi
should seek her and say that which BIZ
intended never TO say. He no Longer
trusted himself. He sat in the darJ
consuming cigarettes and hating him
self for doing 1t. 1t was not his way
i to ruin his health Intentionally. Then
{ Porter came putting t3sand flung him
4 self into a chair. He knew he was moi
wanted and did not care. He began
70 talk
"Sing. you precious donkey, Fv,
cooked your goose"