The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1910-02-26

caviling, said the virtuous Darlington,
to himself, and seek success by lead:
ing sober life, as he did.
Feeling that he had been insulted,
harrington thereafter confined his
communications with Hartford to q
curt "'How are you?" accompanied by
4 barely percept1ble nod when they
Glanced to meet. It was with 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 we'll chisel-
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 have, Hartford"
said he. II want your advice as a.
q friend, you know"
Hartford nodded and withdrew his
pipe from his lips.
Sure" said he succtnctly: ''What's
the row."
why, you see," said Darlington, 1T
seems that in fling the papers for Jim
<ho% loo int 103, ~
his I made slight error. have been
doing a large business, you know,
Hartford-a very large business-and
it was inevitable that I should make
a mistake occasionally. It seems that
some INSCRIPTIONS persons have taken
advantage Of this purely technical slip
and have jumped Busby's claim, and
he is very much exercised about it."
II should think he might be-" Hart
ford observed.
Eyes," repeated harrington, "he is
much exercised and quite unreason-
able about it. He came into my
Office few moments ago and demand
ed an explanation. OF course 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 a
fool break like that and that was In
with the gang that were trying to do
him out of a claim that would have
made him rich. I argued with him
the best I could, but it didn't bulge
him. He said he didn't see that it
made much difference, anyhow, wheth-
er 1 was fool or a knave, because
either way I hadn't any right to live,
and he wound up by saying that he'd
just 60 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 ghmmer of amusement
stole across his face. =.
$50 you want my advice, do your
he asked. ::
II should appreciate it very much"
said Darlington.
"Well, you shall have it," said Hart
ford laconically, rapping the bowl Of
his pipe against the heel Of his shoe.
IF Jim Busby were out cunning for
me and 1 couldn't shoot. any better
than you can, and had comforta BILE
little sum saved, as you have, and
there were a pretty girl In New Eng
land who didn't know any better than
to love me, as she does you, I'd go east
on the half past 2 train, and I wouldn't
hurry back"
"But the trouble isl Darlington ex-
planned, "Susie-Miss Cutler, that is
will be here on the train that gets III
at $50. The trains pass on the first
siding out, you know. The fact is we
are to be married day after tomorrow
at noon. You'll pardon my emitting
to send you an invitation, won't you?
It was quite unintentional. I've been
SO busy
"Oh," Hartford broke In, with dep
recatory wave Of his arm, you need
not apologize. It's just one Of those
little mistakes busy man is bound to
make every now and then. l haven't
Busby's disposition. III forgive you.''
Then Hartford looked at his watch
and found that it was twenty minutes
past 2.
you'll have to move lively, my
bOy." he said. "Keep an eve open for
Jim, and if the coast is clear take the
2:30. If it isn't, walk over to Sand
City and take the next one there"
But about SUSIE" Darlington re-
to1