The Irish standard., 1911-02-04

! l 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.
"Cawnt help it, old chap" Willy as.
surcd him earnestly. II must go, any
way. I've dinner engagement"
you'll be late. won't your"
! Doesn't matter in the least. I'm al
ways late. Night. Kellogg. Congratu-
lations again"
"We just dropped round to take off
our hats to YOU" Long continued,
pumping Kellogg's hand.
"And tell you what good fellow we
think You arc" 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, hut before he could gather to-
gcthcr his impcdimenta and get to the
door Willy Bartlett Intercepted him.
81 say, Duncan
ooh, rats" said Duncan beneath
his breath. He paused ungraciously
I enough.
We've got to see a bit of one an
other. now we've met again. " know.
Wish you'd look me up. Half Moon
club II get me most any time. Well
have TO arrange to make n regular old
+, fashioned night of it. Just for men,
orys sake"
Duncan nodded. cdging past him.
"Ivc memories enough he said.
"Right-oh Any reason at all. v
know. Just so we have the night"
Good enough" asscntcd Duncan
vaguely. lie suffered his hand to be
wrung with warmth. "I'll not for
get Good night" Then he pulled up
and gronncd. for WHY'S insistencc
had frustrated his design. Kellogg
had suddenly become alive to his at
titude and hailed him over the heads
Of Long and Miller.
"Nat. say! Where the devil are
you goinE?"
cover to the hotel" said Duncan.
"Thc deuce you arc! What hotel?"
"Thc one I'm stopping at
mot on your life. You're not going
Just yet ! haven't had hnlf a chance
to talk to you. Robbins, take Mr..
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 rs
Miller and Long said good night to
him and left Mt Bnrtlett's heels, and
smiled nwry in scmi-humorous dcrre-
cation of the way in which he let 1{el-
]ogg outmnneuvcr him. When it came
to that 1t was hard to refuse Kellogg
anything; lie 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 sinking reproving head
at his friend. "You big dufferv he
said "Did you think for minute I'd
let you throw me down like that?
Have you dined"
At this suggestion Duncan stifrened
and fell back mo, butt
Kellogg swept the ground from I'M
der his feet "Robbins," he told the
man. "order in dinner for two from the
club, and tell 'em to hurry it up"
"Yes, sir" said Robbins, and few to
obey before Duncan could get chance
to countermand his part in the order.
"And now" continued Kellogg.
"wcve got the whole evening before
us in which to chin. Sit down." he
led Duncan to an armchair and gently
but firmly pumped him into it's capa-
cious depths. wen have a snug lit
tie dinn,sr here and what do you say
to taking in a show afterward"
II say no."
"You dassent, my boy. This is the
night we celebrate. Pm feeling pretty
good tonight"
"You ought to, Harry" Duncan
struggled to rouse himself to share in
the spirit of graduation with which
Kellogg was bubbling. "I'm mighty
glnd. old man. It's great step up
for you"
"It's all of that. You could have
knocked me over with feather when
Bartlett sprang it on me this morning
OF course, l was expecting something,
a boost in salary. or something like
that bartlett knew that other houses
in the street had made me offers. I've
been pretty lucky Of late and pulled
off ono or two rather big deals. but a
partnership with L. ]. Bartlett
Think of it, Nat!''
"rm thinking Of 1t, and it's great"
'It'll keep me mighty busy" Kellogg
blundered blindly on. "It means a lot
of extra work, but you know I like to
work"
"That's right, you d." agreed Dun
can drearily. ITS queer to me. 1t
must be a great thing to like to work."
"You bet It's great thing. Why,
couldn't exist If l couldn't work.
fhat firao I laid off FOR