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Show Why, I declare! it makes me happj to see you again, old chum." "Can't stay but an hour or so," de dared Newman. "This your placel It's a gem. Say, Nixon, I just wanl to sit down on this garden seat anc drink in this delightful air and the pretty scene. Why, it's like a glimpse of paradise, after that sweltering, devouring de-vouring gambling exchange in the city." Walter noticed that Newman kepi the satchel close beside him, and, too a hunted, uneasy look constantly traversed trav-ersed his face. He suggested a person per-son under some vast strain of dread or suspense. Then gradually a more restful relief was manifest in the troubled eyes. Newman started up as a light was turned on in the little parlor of the house, the open windows of which confronted con-fronted him. Walter caught the echo of a quick sharp gasp. Well he might ! Mrs. Nixon had entered the room and with her was Madge. Walter did not speak a word or make a move to disturb Newman. He watched him mutely. He could discern dis-cern that some great impression was being made on the city hardened speculator specu-lator by the homelike picture before him. It was Indeed a fair scene, an appealing ap-pealing one to Newman. Violet had gone to the piano. She was playing a pretty sentimental strain. Madge sat listening intently, her eyes fixed on vacancy, her beautiful soul expressed in her lovely face. Never had Walter seen her look more attractive. The man beside him must have shared the conception, for abruptly he arose to his feet. He uttered almost a savage groan, like a being In pain, yet Walter caught the gleam of tears in his eyes. "What I have missed !" he muttered bitterly, and then, "but too late now !" This man was deeply affected. Walter, Wal-ter, who comprehended the full situation, situa-tion, half whispered in the ear of hia. companion. "The love of a woman like Madge never changes." "You don't know that I" cried Newman New-man sharply. "Yes, I do," asserted Walter, and his hand rested lightly on the arm of Newman. "Old friend, stay with us a week, a month, and get back some of the old-time contentment and peace." "If I thought I would be welcome " "By loyal loving hearts, and one in particular," pledged Walter earnestly. "Don't cast aside the sure anchor of fidelity and happiness." "I'll be back, I'll be back here Monday," Mon-day," faltered Newman, and he was like a man groping as he started for the street. "No, I couldn't stay just now. Leave me to myself, Nixon. I'm fighting the crisis of my life." He was true to his word. Walter tried to figure out what evolution this man's mind was undergoing, for when Newman reappeared Monday evening the flash of diamonds was absent, his attire was more in keeping with that of commonplace people, his manner was subdued, or, rether, tranquil. "I'm coming back to stay," he told Nixon two days later, and Madge, happy Madge was at his side as he told it. "I'm through with the city, and when you have time, Nixon, my fiancee and I want to look over the plans of that neat little bungalow of yours." "It's come out all right!" jubilated Violet that evening. "Mr. Newman has made his peace with Madge and her heart Is just singing with delight all of the time." "Nixon," said Newman somewhat later, "this is between you and me the others must never know. You remember re-member the night I came down here to go West?" Walter nodded to his friend. "In that satchel I carried there was nearly one hundred thousand dollars of other people's money. I was going go-ing to leave the country with it. Tho sight of your happiness, of Madge turned the tide. I haven't got much left, but I put back the money, paid my debts and I'm through with fha city. Oh, friends and Madge are worth it all, ten times over!" Money 3 Speedway i w By GEORGE ELMER COBB Arr-r-T-rT tTTT-r-rJrTTT (Copyright, 1316, by W. G. Chapman.) "Don't disturb the waiter, Nixon. Here's the gas convenient," and Dale Newman leaned towards the jet blazing blaz-ing over his head and deliberately lit a five-dollar bill to start his cigar. Walter Nixon was too well-bred to express the startled wonder he experienced. ex-perienced. He was awed and his face showed It. Within the hour, ever since he had joined his friend It had been one grand round of expense an automobile drive to save walking a block, fifty-cent cigars, an eight-dollar dinner and princely tips all along the line. "If the lake wasn't so choppy I would take you out In my yacht," observed ob-served Newman grandly, and Walter was more impressed than ever with the greatness of this Croesus, developed devel-oped from a poor,' idle country boy, all within two years' space of time. "Glad you looked me up," said Newman, New-man, as they arose to leave the cafe. "Won't stay at my apartments for the night? Got to catch the train? Sorry, but arrange to come up to the city later and put In a couple of weeks with me, will you?" "I'll be glad to," voiced Walter, but the tones were not genuine. The vast contrast between their positions pained Walter, for he was proud and ambitious. Despite himself, all the way homeward bound on the train he could not help but envy this fortunate friend. It was only when he came "Going West," Explained Newman. within the peaceful circle of home, humble but full of comfort and love, that he censured himself for allowing covetousness to disturb the usual serenity of his mind. And then Violet Moore, to whom he was engaged. Gold and luxury were as dross compared to her, and in their next happy stroll he confessed the pangs he had experienced at comparing compar-ing his narrow plodding life with the gay butterfly existence In the magic city. Amid the preparations for their wedding wed-ding Violet und Walter would have forgotten for-gotten Newman, so happy were they, but for Madge Wilder. She was the chosen friend of Violet. When Dale Newman left Bayfield he was all but engaged to Mndge. She had every right to believe thnt their first correspondence corre-spondence would continue. It did not Amid the glare and glitter of the city Newman apparently had forgotten all about his village love. "He did not even ask about her," Walter told Violet. "Then h has cast away a rnre Jewel," spoke Violet. "When I see Madge's sad, patient face my only consolation is that he was never worthy wor-thy of her." They sent an invitation to the wedding wed-ding to Newman. Awaiting its acknowledgment ac-knowledgment Madge was In a rare flutter. In the long past she and Newman had spoken of "standing up" with their two friends. A splendid set of silver duly arrived, and regrets. "Too busy making money to spare us a few hours," remarked Walter, and the last fond hope of Madge was extinguished. The wedding took place and Walter and his wife settled down in a pretty cozy home, at which Madge was a welcome visitor. Walter never thought of his old city ambitions now. Life seemed to have brought him its full meed. He had a pleasant working position, many loyal friends and the home cot was a veritable haven of peace. Walter was coming home just after dusk one Saturday evening when someone, a satchel In hand, stepped from behind a tree, confronting him. "Why. Newman !" exclaimed Walter, Wal-ter, truly surprised to recognize his long absent friend. He scanned Newman New-man curiously, for the latter seemed nervous, anxious. Ill at ease. "Going West." explained Newman, "and thought I'd give you a call. I'm taking the midnight train." "Come right up to the house." Invited In-vited Walter spontaneously. "Violet Kill be as glad as I am to see yon. |