The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-10-20

meant. surely there vas SO'iiS ' |
Was this woman 50 innocent that she
supposed such partnership as she
proposed could endure without danger!
The head of the firm of Damon, Pyth-
las & Co. remained away quite long
enough to produce volcano in the
breast of the Junior member.
The lady maintained the same posi-
tion she had taken at the first meetlng
with Clarkson, talked about love exist
ing between the three of them just "S
innocently and bore herself just as
circumspectly at the last as at the
6rst of Damon's absence. the only
difference in her bearing from what he
might expect of his friends wife was
a growing disposition to constituencies
with regard to his treatment or her'
In one respect the intimacy was-a sue
cess. No other woman was permltteu
TO get near enough to Clarkson to en-
danger his single state. AS for the
purity of the junior member OF tne
firm and her loyalty to the head OF IL
there was no question.
Nevertheless before his friend Da-
mon returned Clarkson was III love.
Indeed, the evening before the afrlVal
of the man who had permitted TINS
UNIQUE arrangement Mr.. Clarksoh
made two statements to the lady, 1he
arst was that he loved her madly,
the second that he proposed to retire
at once from the firm and never see
her again. He then left her with an
EXPRESSION on her face denoting an IN
tarnal upheaval, but whether she was
offended with him for making the
avowal he could not tell.
The next day, while Clarkson was
hacking trunk preparatory to long
Journey, he received telephone mes
sage from his friend Field, inviting
him to a meeting Of the firm of Damon
pvtbias & Co. at dinner. Clarkson
l. tried to beg off, but failed, ana aIter
Ii numerous excuses which seemed TO
surprise and offend his would be host,
y at last consented.
On his arrival Field took him into
his sanctum and said to him seriously:
"Bob. before we dine something
. needs TO De stldi5h'eheu ~
{ Clarkson shuddered.
T. "Refore my departure l was strucK
. by your letter. We both regretted the
ID senaration that must naturally result
u between you and me on account OF Ivy
marriage, for you know that two DOS
u om friends cannot be the same attel
the marriage of one that they were
before. She said the thing to 90 Was
to hiring YOU into the family. Wher
T asked her how we could do that she
!! nroposed to marry you to her slstel
CYNTHIA. She suggested that while w
IN were on our wedding trip Cynthls
should play with you the farce OF Ia
OF mon, Pythias & Co. From Wnat
I'D hear she played her part well, but nov
OF that we have arrived at the china
ny she has broken down completely sh
us ia terror stricken lest you may thin
20 she deliberately set out to eaten you
whereas she really entered upon 1t 10
sport"
ce When Field began to impart TIL
lat knowledge Clarkson was looking
him like beast at bay. AS Field pr'
ceeded this expression changed 10 SUI
no prise, curiosity, hope, and finally proH
'ge into a beautiful smile.
an "You'u find her in the library" col
tinued Field. go in and stralghteh
mi all out You have half an hour befol
dinner, and I'm quite sure that's MOI
'u' than enough"
'ai- But do you think
81 don't think; know. Wen Gel
brate your engagement at dinner l.
ordered the wine on ice"
NY Clarkson went into the library al
his IN exactly forty minutes emerged WI
Il the blushing Cynthia, the smile
oil Clarkson's face having broadened
radiant Joy.
nto "Onlv ten minutes late" cried Fie
merrily. bob, this is the real VI
IN Field. Come on; the dinners waltz
re.S and the wine is icy cold"
Ill When the quartet were seated
the table and all had been served I
1t host took bottle Of champagne fr'
a cooler beside him and, cutting t
call cord that held the cork, fired SAT-
in honor of the newly engaged coup
say Then, filling all the glasses, he rals
his own to his lips and gave the I
ioS' lowing toast:
1acn ITO the Damon s. Pythias compan
iaNe Limited" suggested Clarkson.
'ars mot much" retorted Field.
Is "ThereIl be no more capital int
49, duced"
, ""5 THAT may be-" said Field, with
'0AO idiotic grin, "but think of the d
Ia