The Press., 1917-09-06

I that he was alone with his old chum, re,apsed into the chum of former days. But there was no invitation to the rec tory. Mrs. vinton had put her veto on Arkansaw.
 "How long will you stay here, Ark 9'' asked the rector.
 "I'm not decided about my going. I may be here a day or two, and ] may go suddenly, so I'll say gOodby in case don't see you again" Vinton pressed his friends hand. Davis saw that there was something on his mind, but could not fathOm 1t. The same afternoon the tall south erner appeared at the office of one T. Robinson Rhodes and sent in his card The office boy who delivered 1t return ed with the inquiry as to the nature of the callers business.
 Private" was the reply. The boy went back and presently re turned with the words Come in'' and led the visitor to the office door. Davis saw n man dressed in the height of fashion sitting at a rosewood desk. Looking about to see that they were alone. the southerner closed the door and turned tte key. Mir. Rhodes look ed at him in surprise.
 'What do you want with me, sir?" he said.
 Sign that" replied Davis, laying a paper on the desk before Mir. Rhodes It read:
 From this day I agree to forego any association with a lady to whom l have been paying marked attention. never again to call upon her at her house OF to join her elsewhere. .,#f..
 Mir. Rhodes eyes were fixed upon this paper long enough to have read It a dozen times. He was thinking what to do. He was no coward and resolved to try to dominate the man who seem ed disposed to interfere ill his affairs. He turned upon Davis tiercely.
 'Is this case of blackmail"
 You know that it is not
 q don't know who is the lady to whom you refer, but if you intend to drag any lady into a quarrel you are cOntemptible.'
 "There is no necessity for dragging the lady's name into quarrel. have not mentioned her in his paper"
 Suppose I refuse to sign it?"
 You shall sign it."
 How do you propose to compel me?'
 There is but one way can compel you without injuring others. If you refuse I shall seek you out in some public place and insult you. am not known in this city, and no one will sup pose that my real motive is to prevent your bringing ruin upon my friend, his wife and his children"
 There was something so quietly. de termined in the sOutherner's manner that his adversary saw there was no escape for him. What his course would have been had, he not had all to lose and nothing to gain no one knows, but he saw that this man was saving him from himself and yielded.
 'I must communicate my reasons to to the lady for my action," he said after pondering.
 '"That is admissible"
 Davis left with the pledge duly sign ed and, going to his hotel, departed on the next train.
 The Christmas festivities had passed when Mrs. VintOn said to her husband: You have been Overworked during the holidays this year, dear, and are tired out. Suppose we run down south for the cold season."
 "In what direction?"
 We might make a call upon your old friend MT. Davis" ....
 Vinton looked searchingly at his wife. .s'
 AS you like" he said.
 When Arkansaw next saw his. old chum he was greeted with fervOr by his chum's wife. She gave no explana- tiOn for the change, but the Dixie man knew that he had saved her from q grievous misfortune. From that day she also was his chum.