Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1916-10-06

ut the fat, disturbed countenance or his
employer, Heretofore they had always
been on good terms-something must
have occurred TO turn Babcocks anger
upon him, The simple fact Of his
walking on sixth avenue or any other
thoroughfNro during his incoming could
not account for this iuQulHlou
Then all at once Inc remembered
Celia Hart had once said she had met
Sklff Babcock several times, and liked
him,
Cascy's face grew cold aud hard
T'yc an interest in you, Tim" said
Skllf with n sudden change Of tone.
T'm obliged"
"Havc you ever wanted to go into
the trucking business for yourselfT
The younger mans face underwent n
brief change.
every man looks TO lettering him
self" he said warlly,
"Id let you have the old stable on
West street and three teams-Id give
EN- to YOU"
"What for?" demanded Casey bluntly.
Skiff dropped subterfuge and looked
his driver square IN the eve.
you'll understand when | tell you
that I've made up my mind to marry
Celia Hart Look what | can give her
diamonds, mn Nutymoble, all the
money she wants to spend and hired
girl to do her work What can You
give hcr-ch?" His sheer could not
be suppressed. "For the sake Of the
girl should think you'd step back
Casey! she's too 0ne 10 work herself
TO the bone ms the wife Of poor truck.
driver. As Mrs. SEr BNbcocli she'd
live like n lady You stand off and III
set you mp In buslness-you're smart
and can stand where | do ten years
from now. You'll never have another
chance"
Ashcn faced, Casey stared back at
him.
"In not do a." he muttcrcd
"What is your price thcn2' demanded
Slln' mpatlently. "Nome It ana I'll
pay It,"
me price," stammcrcd Casey. And
NO ooowod 20 "o"do" tho question
Eyes; your price. Name it and IN
pay IT," S';T smiled complaccntlv
Things were coming his way. He ucv.
err had known this treatment to FAIL
Every man has bis price
Suddenly Cascy's head went up. "Mo
price Is this" ne said hcayily-"mo
price is this, Send for Celia Hart and
let her choose between us"
SkNs smile faded ITS no way to
treat 4 lady lt'll scare her." he said
doubtfully.
ITS me- price," reiterated Casey sui.
lcnly. Let her have the say, I don't
want your ioh."
Skiff Babcock nodded shortly and
pulled the telephone toward him. He
called up the milliner's where Celia
Hart worked and asked that she be
sent at once in taXicab to the Office
Of the Skiff Babcock Trucking com.
pany, and then he sat back and waited
nervously for her coming.
Tim Casey leaned against the oppo.
site wall, white faced, with miserable
eyes.
What girl would hesitate at choosing
between the plump, well dressed and
obviously rich proprietor and the shirt
sleeved truck driver?
He wished that he had knocked Skiff
down when the suggestion was first
made. But Celia ought to have q
chance to better herself. Celia was n
lovely, bright creature, and the best
was none too good for her, But was
Skiff Babcock the best?
Celia should decide
A half horr licked away, and at last
a taxi drew up to the curb, and slim
black gowned form crowned with a
coral hat all askew flew into the office
and looked dazedly around.
whats happened to TimmyT she
demanded breathlessly.
Then her eyes fell upon Tim Casey
standing there 50 grim and silent, and
she ran to him and flung herself on his
breast.
"Ah, Jimmy, I thought you was
dead, or somethlng" she cried. "What
Is the matter?
Skiff Babcock stepped into small
adjoining room.
Tim Casey's great chest heaved, but
he did not unfold his arms to encircle
her
Cecilia" he said hoarsely, you're
promised to me- and I'm q poor man
But suppose there was another man.
rich and better'n me. Some one like
Skiff Babcock. Which would you
choose, Ell? He's got an autymobile
and diamonds, and his wife could live
like q lady"
Celia Hart shook his shoulder vigor-
ously. Tin Casey, I believe you're
run struck or something you act so
queer"
would you, Cellar"
"Did you call me away from trim
ming my wedding hat-yes, sir, I'm
getting my hat at Nine. Moriarty's,
with the best of 'em, and she set me
to trimming it myself. And you called
me AWAY from that to ask me would