Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1910-02-11

enough what inspired these critical OBJ
tervations. Hartford was Jealous of
The prosperity which harrington had
so rapidly achieved. Let him stop
caviling, said the virtuous harrington
to himself, and seek success by lead
ing sober life as he did.
Feeling that he had been insulted
Darlington thereafter confined his
communications with Hartford to a
curt How are yout" accompanied 10y
barely perceptible nod when they
CHANGED to meet. 1t was with good
deal of SURF riSe. therefore. that Hart
ford. glancing up from his rather di-
lapidatcd desk as he heard the door
open, perceived burlington entering
his Office. enc had not to look ut Bar
rington twice to be convinced that he
was badly frightened. Ills eyes, which
ordinarily regarded those about him
with an air of easy liberation, were
wide with terror, and his well ehisel-
ed features. customarily wearing an
air of placid conceit, were now white
ana 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
friend, you know
Hartford nodded and withdrew his
pipe from his lips.
Sure" said he succinctly. Whats
the rowY
why, you see," said harrington, lit
seems that in filing the papers for Jim
Busby on that last mining claim of
his l made slight error. | have been
doing large business. you know,
Hartford-a very large business-and
it was inevitable that should make
mistake occasionally. Ii seems that
some unscrupulous persons have taken
advantage of this purely technical slip
and have jumped Busbys claim, and
he is very much exercised about it."
Il should think lie might be" Hart
ford observed.
yes repeated Darlington, he is
much exercised and gate unreason-
able about 1t. 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 Il mistake SuCn as any man might
make, and he said was lying to him.
He said ! WAS .tuO smart to make n
fool break like that and that | was in
with the gang chat We're trying to do
him out Of Il claim that would have
made him rich. | argued with him
the best | could, but it didn't bulge
him. He said he didn't see that it
made much difference, anyhow, wheth-
er l was fool OF a knave, because
either way | hadn't any right to live,
and he wound up by saying that he'd
just go down to the Jolly Dog and get
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 Hartfords broad
and tolerant temperament that he d.!
not remind Darlington that he had
previously predicted such a catastro-
phe as had now befallen. Ncverthc-
less a slight glimmer of amusement
stole across his face.
80 you want my advice. d. you:'
he asked.
Il should appreciate it very much"
said harrington.
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 | couldn't shoot any better
than you can, and had a comfortable
little sum saved, as you have, and
there We're 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 wouldn't
hurry back"
But the trouble is" Darlington eX-
planned, "Susie-Miss Cutler, that is
will be here on the train that gets in
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?
1t was quite unintentional. I've been
SO busy
"Oh," Hartford broke in. with a 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. | haven't
Busby's disposition. I'll 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 eye open for
Jim, and If the coast is clear take the
2:3O. If it isn't, walk over TO Sand
City and take the next one there"
But about SUSIE" Darlington re-
monStrated.
"Pshaw!" growled Hartford. That's
easy enough. Leave a note for her
with the station master. telling her to
go back TO Colorado Springs and you'll
meet her there. If you don't have time
TO write a note, have the station mas