is House. He's a big
bug all right. Wanted a private setting-room, he did," Thomas
chuckled. "Guess he's the sort that can't remember back further than
he feels like doing. Old man Ware's private setting-room was a keg o'
nails in Sol Peter's store. Nobody else ever thought of taking that
particular keg. Stood right back of the stove, I remember. You never
caught old man Ware putting on any airs."

"Justin and me was always the best of friends," said Joel, puffing out
his thin chest pompously, as if he felt himself vicariously honored by
Mr. Ware's tendency to exclusiveness. "We took a shine to each other
when we were little shavers. As Addison says:

"'Great souls by instinct to each other turn
Demand alliance, and in friendship burn!'

"Yes, sir, it was a real David and Jonathan affair. That's his picture
upon the mantel now."

Thomas Hardin turned his head. "'Tis so," he assented. "Hasn't
changed such an all-fired lot only now he looks as if he'd cut his
wisdom teeth quite a spell back." His gaze wandered to Persis,
silently basting the breadths of a gray crepe skirt. "You must have
been acquainted with him, too," he said politely, striving to include
her in the conversation.

"Yes, I knew him." Persis did not lift her eyes.

"All the family knew Justin," Joel explained. "Him and me being such
friends, he was in and out of the house same as if he belonged here. I
didn't speak to him to-day, because I never was one to cheapen myself
by doing my visiting on a depot platform. We'll have plenty of chances
to talk over old times.

"'There is nothing can equal the tender hours
When life is first in bloom.'"

It seemed to Persis during the next two days that wherever she turned
she heard of Justin Ware. There was no escaping the subject. Without
question Justin's business methods were the acme of up-to-date
effectiveness. An outbreak of war could hardly have stirred the town
to more seething excitement than the advent of this well-dressed young
man with his self-confident air and full pocketbook. Clematis was
apple-mad. The Apple of Eden Investment Company and its optimistic
promises eclipsed in interest the combined fascinations of politics and
scandal. The groups in those local lounging-places, which in rural
communities are the legitimate successors of the Roman forum, passed
over prospective congressional legislation and Annabel Sinclair's
latest escapade in favor of apple