New Britain herald., 1924-06-30

palaces on Fifth Avenue 10 the poor 1 if they would merely consent to live.
 It was, l nattered myself, quaint conceit, as sane as most revolutionary 1 nostrums, and I was smiling as l l entered Careys l was still smiling 1 as I finished a very satisfactory meal and leaning back in my chair, con sumed my eighth cigarette. Life was not a complex thing, after all. At | least. if one didn't find it simple, one simply stepped out of it's absurd com pleyities.
 For instance, that girl who sat across the narrow room from mo would be indubltably better of if she joined me on my stroll 10 the dock than if she remained with the gross beast who was hcr dinner companion. For she patenty showed that he dis Eusted her. Pretty. extremely so, with black hair and blue eyes and, guessed from what appeared above the table, a charming figure, she be- | longed to youth, not to bloated age. And the fact that her eyes were hard and mcrcenary made no difference. They were SO merely because adsan- tagcs had been denied her could discern that the attentions of her companion sickened her.
 Yet though [ could see hcr shrink at the touch Of his nabby hand upon l her own, she did not push it away. She smiicd, and apparently answered terms Of endcarment with verbal caress. Inquestionably he was rich Doubtless she was to share his wealth. Well. was glad to he about 10 leave world where such things were endured.
 raised my hand to bcckon to my
 waiter. Then ] dropped it for into the room came my fur-collared friend. advancing to the table where sat tho couple who had excited my disgust ed
 interest. greeting them cordially. be- [ ing hailed delightedly.
 wondered if these were part of the gang which ! suspected must be , associated with him. Then. noting A meaning glance eNrh2nged between 1 him and the girl. l Mw that while | she might he an ass8ffate of his. her
 gross companion was. II not already
 a victim destined to be one. I | ! cigarettes left: amusement would go
 well with my last tobacco. And in-
 asmuch as my acquaintance Of the
 early rvcning had turned his back 10
 me as he sat down, there was no 1 danger that my presence would inter 1 fcre with his plans-proyided, Of , course. that he had any plans, and that ] had not misintcrprctcd inc
 pregnant glance between him and the 1 girl.
 As l watched the thrcp. the gross
 man produced A little box from his
 waistcoat pocket. It was the sort of 1 box that would contain a ring. and
 the sight Of f evoked memories. l
 wondered that I had not recognized
 the huge-featurcd man before. For
 years ago l had more than once en-
 tered his iewelry establishment on Fifth Avenue. knew him to be
 DaraEon, one Of the most famous
 jewellers of America. and one Of it's
 most notorious roues.
 Ilc had changed greatly since I had seen him stridinr psmpousiE through ihg sislcs of his fashionable
 establishment Added years Of loose | living had brought more flesh and
 that dead psllor to his face. Bm I I recognized him. The sight Of the little ! cardboard box had aroused rcrnem-
 brancn. l had bought tfinkcts in my 1 day.
 So. wondering what might be ihe meaning 8f 1BaTag0n's presence in the } company Of sclf-Coufcssud crook. I l watched them. l saw fhc girl open l the little package. I saw her hands ! tremble as she uufastencd tha string l that tied ii saw her lirs part in 2 gasp of delight I saw her turn to l my friend Of the earlier evening and address words that. from her manner.
 seemed 10 be appealing.