Evening star., 1923-04-21
hand was land on his shoulder. Tur,

hand was land on his shoulder. Turn
ing, he found Thorne beside him
My car is out Of commission" he
explained. Il came by trolley. II
you don't mind I'll go back with you,
old chap
Certainly. I shall be right glade
Of your company" replied Jay SmithS
heartily slapping the other on the
back.
while waiting here why not have
one drink for good fellowship-the
occasion will never present itself to
US but this once?" suggested Thorne.
Jay shook his head. You know |
do not like to refuse, especially on
this occasion Of all others; but il
wouldn't be wise, Ed. / already have
a headache"
Thorne grasped decanter and
filled two glasse to the brim, o"-
claring he would not take No for an
answer. adding. do not cross your
good luck by refusing"
Smith started, looking uneasily a
his companion. Was he referring 10
the number about the table? If 50.
he had shown great tact in not raiS-
Ing e., a hub over it at the time
ThruSting the glass into Smith 3
hand, he fairly forced it with seem
ingly boisterous gayety, to his lips.
There seemed no alternative than II
swallow il. In the excitement Of the
moment JAY did not notice Thorne
tipped the contents of his glass into
nearby receptacle-the glass he
raised to his lips was an empty one.
Just one more-a last one" urged
Thorne. Let us drink to joyous
honeymoon for you and your dear
one-and all the happiness that goes
with welded bliss"
In the excitement of the moment
Jay eagerly caught up his glass.
draining it at single draught
Thorne. as before emptying the CON
tents Of his glass in the containef
and now one TO the bride elect"
coaxed Thorne. jubilantly. as he noted
the effect of what he had already
imbibed on his companion.
Jay could not refuse to drink 70
that
BY this time it was with difficulty
the deliriously happy bridegroom-to-
be could keep his feet. Arm in arm
they gained the pavement. Thorne
was intensely eratified to learn eaT-
lier in the evening Smith had brougik
his own car over-tkere was 10
chauffeur to be gotten out of the way
! on one pretext or another.
Thorne helped Jay in. then took
his place at the wheel Another mo-
! ment and he and his helpless corn
| panion We're whirling away from the
! late scene of festivity. along the ser
! pentine road As Thorne gazed a;
! laugh broke from his lips. This disi
heveled. disreputable looking being
| was TO wed the girl he would have
| laid down his life to win.
| Jay commenced to babble about
I Clairena. This set Thorne fairly wild
/ He could not brook hearing Smith
/ ramhle on about his love for her
where they We're to go on their hon
eymoon. and the splendid fortune he
| intended to make over to her.
! You would never have won her.
! gained the old mans consent, IL you
| had been as poor as I-only strug
! Cling lawyers som" he shouted
| hoarsely at his companion.
The words fell upon benumbed ears.
| Jay Smith was beyond taking in thea
| meaning, and continued babbling Of
| the joys in store. As Thorne listened
an idea occurred to him suddenly:
! turning to his companion he sneered
f.! Did You ever hear of the quotation:
| There's many a slip
| TwiXt the cup and the lip?'"
He neither heard. knew nor cared
what answer Smith made, or If he
| answered ar all. he was so engrossei
! in the thought that had come to hiIt.
! consuming like fire all his nobler self
| so YOU think there's not the remotes
| chance Of your losing Clairena?" he
| cried, stopping the car and facing
! his companion.
The only word Smith caught was
the name "Clairena."
! My beautiful fiancee." he mutter-
ed. with a hiccough. uttering tn.
words with difficulty, "you-love-me
now an'-f'rever-''
"A mighty fine object for the peer
less Clairena to love" shrilled Thorne
! with laugh that resounded long and
loud through the lonely in the
thought that had come TO him, road
Suppose she We're to see YOU now
ha. ha. ha, Wouldn't it be the most
:amusing thing that ever happened?
oh, yes: MY sweet girl thinks
w h ole WOrl' a me-
What do YOU say to proving it,
challenged Thorne.
jay was too pitifully under the in
tiuence of the wine to understand
! You shall put her love to the test "
repeated Thorne. shaking his clenched
: fist in the others face. Well set
how much respect she will show the
drunken fool who is unable to stand
on his pins. She will despise you. Do
YOU hear? Detest you, Maybe it will
sober you up on the spot, and maybe
! il won't-the result Will be the same
7; then-the cup of gall that has been
forced to my lips will he held 10
! yours; many you drink long and deep
! of it"
TomorrOw-The Stowaway.