The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-11-03

Mechanically Duncan downed the toast Kellogg was the only man not drinking it, and from that the meaning was easily to be inferred. With a stride Duncan caught his hand and crushed it in his own.
 "Harry," he said little huskily, "I can't tell you how glad am. It's the best news I've had In years"
 Kellogg's responsive pressure was answer enough. "It makes it doubly worth while to win out and have you all so glad" he said.
 "So you've taken him into the firm, eh?'' Duncan inquired of Bartlett. The blue eyes widened stonily. "The governor has. I'm not in the business. Y kIow. Never had the slightest turn for it, what?' Willy set aside his glass. ''I say, must be moving. No, I cawnt stop, Kellogg. really. l was dressin' at the club and Larry told me about it, SO just dropped round to tell you how jolly glad am"
 "Your father hadn't told you. thenr'
 ",vho, the governor?" Willy looked  tryin' to talk business with me long ago. I can't get interested in it, 'pon my word Of course knew he thought the deuce and all of yoa, but I hadn't an idea they were goin' to take you into the firm. What?" Long and Miller interrupted, propos- ing adieus which Kellogg vainly con- tended
 "Why, you're only just here"- he expostulated.
 "Cawn't help it, old chap" Willy as- sured him earnestly. 'T must go, any way. I've a dinner engagement" You'll be late, won't you" "Doesn't matter in the least. Pm al- ways late. Night, Kellogg. Congratu- lations again."
 eve just dropped round to take of our hats to you," Long continued, pumping Kellogg's hand.
 "And tell you what good fellow we think you are," added Miller, following suit.
 'You don't know how good you make me feel" Kellogg told them. Under cover of this diversion Dun- can was making one last effort to slip away, but before he could gather to- gether his impedimenta and get to the door Willy Bartlett intercepted him.
 'T say, Duncan ooh, ratsw said Duncan beneath his breath. He paused ungraciously enough.
 we've got to see bit of one an- other, now we've met again, y know. Wish you'd look me up. Half Moon club Fl get me most any time. We'll l have to arrange to make regular old fashioned night of it, just for mem ory's sake"
 Duncan nodded, edging past him. "Tve memories enough" he said.
 "Right-oh! Any reason at all, y know, just so we have the night" Good enough assented Duncan | vaguely. He suffered his hand to be wrung with warmth. ''I'll not for get. Good night" Then he pulled up and groaned, for Willy's insistence had frustrated his design. Kellogg had suddenly become alive to his at-
 
 of Long and Miller.
 "Nat, say! Where the devil are you going"
 cover to the hotel," said Duncan. ''The deuce you are! What hetelr'
 'The one I'm stopping at"
 "Not on your life. You're not going just yet. I haven't had half chance to talk to you. Robbins, take MT. Duncan's things"
 Duncan, set upon by Robbins, who had been lowering round for just that purpose, lifted his shoulders in resig- nation, turning back into the room as Miller and Long said good night to him and left at Bartlett's heels, and ' smiled awry in semi-humOrous depre- cation of the way in which he let Kel- | logg outmaneuver him. When it came to that it was hard to refuse Kellogg anything; he had that way with him, especially if one liked him. And how could any one help liking him? Kellogg had him now, holding him | fast by either shoulder, at arms length, and shaking a reproving head at his friend. "You big dufferr' he said. "Did you think for minute I'd let you throw me- down like thati l Have you dinedY'
 | At this suggestion Duncan stifened and fell back. "No, but
 Kellogg swept the ground from un der his feet. Robbins" he told the ! man, "order in dinner for two from tho club and tell 'em to hurry it up."
 'Yes, sir," said Robbins. and flew tt obey before Duncan could get chance to countermand his part in the order.
 "And now" continued Kellogg we've got the whole evening before us in which to chin. Sit down." He led Duncan to an armchair and gently but firmly plumped him into it's capa cious depths. 'We'll have snug lit tie dinner here and what do you say to taking in a show afterwerdF'
 q say mo-"
 "You dassent, my boy. This is th' night we celebrate Pm feeling pretty good tonight"
 "You ought to, Harry" Duncan struggled to rouse himself to share il the spirit of gratulation with whic1 Kellogg was bubbling. "I'm might! glad, old man. It's a great step uI