Morgan County republican., 1914-03-12
CHAPTER iIi.-contlnued.

Tor the corporation.
CHAPTER ili.-Contlnued. ;
To be outside. All that light and
color and comfort and pleasure would
hum and sparkle on just the same,
though he was no longer within the
circle OF It's efYulgence-slaving per
haps, he thought with a twisted smile.
at some tawdry occupation that called
for no experience. to pay for meal
in some secondrate restaurant and a
pallet in some shabbygenteel. hall
bedroom. till his clothes were replaced
by limiting "hand-me-downs' by
wretched gradations he arrived finally
at the status Of the dime seat in the
gallery and fve.cent cigars.
There was ono way back. 1t lay
through the hackneyed gateway OF
marriage. Youth, comeliness and fine
linen, In the world he knew, were a
fair exchange for wealth any day.
Outlet for cutlet"-the satlric phrase
ran through his mind. Why not?
perhaps need be no question OF plain
and spinstered millions-there was
Katharine Fargo.
In his heart John Valiant was aware,
by those subtle signs which men and
women alike distinguish, that while
Katharine Fargo loved first and fore.
most her own wonderful person. he
had been an easy second In her re.
gard.
John Valiant looked down at the
bulldog squatted on the floor, his eyes
shining in the dimness. little hot
ripple had run over him. Not on
your life, Chum." he said. NO shame
less barter. There must be other
things besides money and social posi-
ton in this doddering old world, after
all We're going to begin something
for ourselves. II it's only raising cab
bages. And we're going to stand 1t
without any baby-aching-the nurse
never held our noses when we took
our castor.oil!"
II was folded down. that old bright
page, Finis had been written to the
rose colored chapter. And even as he
told himself he was conscious Of a
new rugged something that had been
slowly dawning within him, u sense of
courage, even OF zest. and a furious
hatred OF the selfpity that had
wrenched him even for moment.
lie turned from the window, picked
up his letters. and followed by the dog,
went slowly up another flight to his
room.
He tore open the letters abstracted-
ly; the usual dnner-card or two, a
tailors spring announcement, a
chronic serial from an explanatory
inarble'quarrying company. a quarterly
statement OF a club house.committee
The last two missives bore a monde.
script look.
One was small, with the name OF
legal firm In its corner. The other
Was larglsh. corpulent and heavy, of
stout Manila paper. and bore, down
one side. a gaudy procession OF post.
age stamps proclaiming that 1t had
been registered
What's In that, l wonder?" he said
the unmasculine speculation. opened
the smaller envelope.
Dear Sir began the letter, in the
most uncompromisingly conventional
OF typewritlng:
Dear Sir:
Enclosed please find, with title
deed, memorandum opened In youI
name by the late John Valiant some
years before his death. 1t was hi,
desire that the services indicated II
connection with this estate should con
tinue TIL this date. We hand yo,
herewith our check for $236.2O (twt
hundred and thirty-six dollars an,
twenty cents). the balance in your ia
vor. for which please send receipt,
And oblige,
Yours very truly,
Emerson and Ball"
"(Enclosure)