Putnam patriot., 1911-08-04

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 trifes. Just fall into the situation naturally and all will be we'll"
 He left her, wondering what it all meant. Surely there was some mistake. Was this woman so innocent that she sunpoSed such d 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- ton she had taken at the first meeting with Clarkson. talked about love exist ing between the three of them just as innoeentlv and bore herself just as cireumspectly at the last as at the first of Damon's absence. The only difference in h.s bearing from what he might expect of his friends wife was growing disposition to seusitiveness 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 1t 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 Mir. Clarkson made two statements to the lady. The first was that he loved her madly, the second that he proposed to retire nt 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 avowa he could not tell
 The next day. while Garrison was packing a trunk preparatory to long journey. he received telephone mes sage from his friend Field. inviting him to a meeting of the firm of Damon, Pythias X Co at dinner Carkson 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' om 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 I 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 X Co From what l 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 1t 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 stir prise. curiosity. hope. and finally broke into beautiful smile.
 "You'n find her in the library con tinued Field ~Go in and stra ghten it all out You have half an hour before dinner. and I'm quite sure that's more than enough"
 But do you thlnk"-
 q don't think: l know. We'll eeIe- brate your engagement at dinner. I've ordered the wine OF ice
 Clarkson gent into the library and in exactly forty minutes emerged with the blushing Cynthia. the smile on Clarkson's face having broadened to radiant joy
 Onlf ten HiiDultb idte. tiitb itiu 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 the table and all had been served the host took bottle of champagne from cooler beside him and. cutting the sord that held the cork. fired salute In honor of the newly engaged couple Then. filling all the glasses, he raised his own to his lips and gave the fol lowing toast:
 "To the Damon & Pythias company
 Limited" suggested Clarkson
 "Not much. retorted Field.
 "There'li be no more capital intro duced'
 That may be" said Field. with an Idiotie grin. but think of the divi- dends."
 Objection OVerruled.
 She-Oh. .but mamma objects to kiss ing. Newell. I'm not kissing your mother, am I?-BOSton Transcript.