El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1910-05-07

two DAYS away and Susie due to ar
rive that afternoon, harrington was in
the state of ecstasy appropriate to such
circumstances. 1t was in this moment
of supreme happiness that misfortune
befell him.
The work Darlington had been doing
requires to be performed with great
accuracy: otherwise it is not only
yalueless. but may be the occasion OF
great loss to the client. Now, 1t Is
possible that Darlington possessed
genius. People who have that, you
know, are apt to be careless as to de-
tails. Perhaps 1t was merely that.
being deeply in love. he could not con-
centrate hif mind upon his work. How
ever that may be. Hartford. the attor-
ney whose Office was next TO Barring
tons, had discovered in the course or
an investigation Of the records that
Darlington had filed documents con-
tanning serious errors. He spoke 10
Darlington about it In a perfectly
friendly way. Darlington received his
kindly admonitions with a contempt
which he was at no pains TO disguise.
Why should he pay heed to the re-
marks Of man who wore baggy
trousers and long hair and played faro.
to say nothing Of becoming intoxicat-
ed now and then? He knew well
enough what inspired these critical OBJ
servations. Hartford was jealous Of
the prosperity which harrington had
SO rapidly achieved. Let him stop
saviling, said the virtuous harrington
to himself, and seek success by lead
ing a sober life, as he did.
Feeling that he had been lnSulted.
Darlington thereafter confined his
communications with Hartford to
curt How are your accompanied by
q barely perceptible nod when they
CHANGED to meet. 1t was with a good
deal of surprise, therefore, that Hart
ford, glancing up from his rather di-
lapidated desk as he heard the door
open, perceived Darlington entering
his Office One had not TO look at Bar
rington twice to be convinced that he
was badly frightened. His eyes, which
ordinarily regarded those about him
with an air of easy liberation. were
wide with terror, and his well chiSei-
ed features. cuStomarily wearing an
air of placid cOnceit. were now white
and drawn His manner toward Hart
ford was no longer supercilious. All
his carefully constructed attitude Of
dignity had vanished
you've been In this part of the
country longer than l have, Hartford"
said he. 81 want your advice as a
a friend. you know"
Hartford nodded and withdrew his
pipe from his lips.
Sure" said he succinctly. whats
the row."
why, you see," said harrington. lit
seems that in filing the papers for jim
Busby ON that last mining claim--of
his made a slight error. l have been
doing a large business, you know,
Hartford-a very large business-and
it was inevitable that | should make
a mistake occasionally. 1t seems that
some INSCRIPTIONS persons have taken
advantage Of this purely technical slip
and have jumped Busby's claim, and
he rs very much exercised about it."
Il should think he might be-" Hart
ford observed
YES" repeated Darlington, The is
much exercised and quite unreaSon
able about It He came into my
Office few moments ago and demand
ed an explanation OF course l couldn't
tell him anything except that it was
just mistake such as any man might
make, and he said | was lying to him
He said | was too smart to make
fool break like that and that / was in
with the gang that were trying to do
Rim out of claim that would have
made him rich. l argued with him
the best / could, but it didn't bulge
him He said be didn't see that 1t
made much difference, anyhow, wheth-
er | was a fool or kraye, because
either way 1 hadn't any right to live.
and he wound up by saying that he'd
just go down to the Jolly Dog and get
a few drinks to put him In the right
frame of mind and then he'd come
back and reduce the membership Of
the Gilt Gulch bar by one"
1t is significant Of Hartford's broad
and tolerant temperament that he did
not remind harrington that he had
previously predicted such catastro-
phe as had now befallen. Neverthe-
less a slight Nglimmer OF amusement
stole across his face.
$50 you want my advice, do your