The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-08-10

won't You miss him very muchr
''Of course. love him dearly, - he
loves me. But here comes in the ad-
vantage of trio. I shall have you"
Clarkson started as II a bomb had
fallen ON the floor before him and was
sputtering ready to explode. II he had
been looking at his companion he
would have seen very animated ex-
preston on her face.
"I was not aware, ! didn't know"
he stammered. that lady married to
the man she loves could let him go
away few days after the wedding
and be contented with the company OF
his best friend"
"You forget that this Is a tripartite
arrangement. wherein three persons
are made one. But cease to bother
yourself about that. The secret of re-
naming comfortable in this world Is
not to worry. BY this arrangement
VIII and have endeavored to obviate
the necessity of you and he loving each
other. It behooves you to accept the
situation and be content"
you have both certainly been very
kind. I shall endeayor to prove myself
worthy of your confidence and con-
duct myself
Conduct YOURSELF OF course you
will Now don't trouble yourself any
more about trifies. Just fall into the
situation naturally and all win be-
we'll"
He left her, wondering what 1t all
meant. Surely there was some mistake.
Was this woman so 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 a volcano In the
breast Of the junior member.
The lady maintained the same posi-
ton she had taken at the first meeting
with Clarkson, talked about love exist
ing between the three of them just as
innocently and bore herself just as
circumspectly at the last as at the
first of Damon's absence. The only
difference In her bearing from what he
might expect Of his friends wife was
a growing disposition to sensitiveness
with regard to his treatment OF her.
In one respect the intimacy was sue
cess. No other woman was permitted
to get near enough to Clarkson to en-
danger his single state. As for the
purity of the junior member OF the
firm and her loyalty to the head OF II
there was no question.
Nevertheless before his friend Da-
mon returned Clarkson was In love.
Indeed, the evening before the arrival
of the man who had permitted this
unique arrangement Mr.. Clarkson
made two statements to the lady. The
first 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.
ternal upheaval, but whether she was
offended with him for making the
avowal he could not tell
The next day, while Clarkson was
packing a trunk preparatory to long
journey, be received telephone mes
BdRe Ills lllcho ACAdt .
him to meeting of the firm of Damon,
Pythias & Co. at dinner. Clarkson
tried to beg off, but failed, and, after
numerous excuses which seemed to
surprise and offend his would be host,
at last consented.
On his arrival Field took him into
his sanctum and said to him seriously
bob, before we dine something
needs to be Strengthened out"
Clarkson shuddered.
Before my departure I was struck
by your letter. We both regretted the
separation that must naturally result
between you and me ON account of my
marriage, for you know that two bos-
ON friends cannot be the same after
the marriage of one that they were
before. She said the thing to do was
to bring you into the family. When
l asked her how we could do that she
proposed to marry you to her sister
Cynthia She suggested that while we
were on our wedding trip Cynthia
should play with you the farce Of Da-
mon, Pythias & Co From what /
hear she played her part well. but now
that we have arrived at the climax
she has broken down completely. She
Is terror stricken lest you may think
she deliberately set out to catch you,
whereas she really entered upon It for
sport"
When Field began to impart this
knowledge Clarkson was looking at
him like beast at bay. AS Field pro-
ceeded this expression changed to sur
prise. curiosity, hope, and finally broke
into beautiful smile.
you'll find her In the library" con-
tinued Field. "Go In and straighten 1t
all out. You have half an hour before
dinner, and I'm quite sure that's more
than enough"
but do you think
~ don't think; / know. Wen cele-
brate your engagement at dinner. I've
ordered the wine ON Ice"
Clarkson went into the library and
in exactly forty minutes emerged with
the blushing Cynthia. the smile on
Clarkson's face having broadened to
radiant Joy.
"Only ten minutes late" cried Field
merrily. Bob, this Is the real Mrs
Field Come on; the dinners waiting.
and the wine is icy cold"
When the quartet were seated at