The Indianapolis journal., 1892-11-06

about him more oiservantly than before;
at any rate, the painful bare neatness of
the room seems revealed to him for the first
tune. The man is wan and thin; his eyes
have the strained expression that tells OF
overwork; his coat. even more threadbare
than the one he wears out of doors. hangs
loosely about him. and his movements are
inert and languid.
Il came to ask" begins the rector after q
prolonged lit of coughing IF you would
no one there but ourselves, and We will
allow you to go away whenever you wish.
You are shutting yourself mp too much"
Mr.. De Ia Poer signs and looks down. Re-
memberlng what he owes TO the Darra.
dales, refusal is difficult.
ut is for our pleasure. not for your own.'
says the rector; $50 hope you will at least
think about 1t. Now. have something
else to ask. on my wlfe's behalf. She thinks
that you are neglecting Yourself, as one
too often does. my dear DE Ia PQer, in time
of sorrow. and che Is sending you some
grapes and that-to coax your appetite.
You know how women love TO coddle.
The fruit isfrOm our own winery, SO know
it Is good" he atlds, for he never offers one
thing as if he were glad to be rid of il, or
with the depreciation of gift considered
good FORM by so many. With this ne
takes his departure. leaving Mr.. De la Poer
to reflect.
Shortly after one of the Darradale maids
comes with q basket laden with golden
jelly. and lovely. bloomy grapes that look
almost too good to be eaten. There Is some
thing tempting In the dainties TO which he
has l6tik been unaccustomed, and be has
lifted some of the delicious fruit to his
parched mouth, when the thought which
dominates his whole life-or q necessity
greater than his Own-arises; and present
ly he has made his way TO the poor cot
tage where sickness Is rife. and where
want is by no means an unfamiliar pres
ence.
Mrs. Colson herself opens the shaky door.
and, recognizing her visitor, 10 at once on
the defensive. She never meant to harm
his little boy; she only thought 1t would
cheer jim up to sec the little gentleman.
as he was always so frank and free. and,
any way, he needn't como to reproach her
now in her trouble. when sickness, and sor-
row. and work are likely to drive her DIS
tracted. Mr.. De la Peers quiet voice outs
through her voluble sentences.
Il have not come to repr0ach you; l
know you meant no harm," he says. Jim
was kind to my boy, and / have brought
some grapes for him. if he may have thein."
Mrs. sColson instantly dissolves in tears.
"Oh, the Lord bless you" she cries. For
you are u good man; and. indeed, my heart
is broke with them saying it's Iue as made
your boy i'll; and Jim being 30 slow, and
no money coming IN. and father taken to
drInk9
AS he passes in she touches his arm and
whispers that Jim doesn't know. and he
understands her. He goes bravely smiling
to the poor lad, wasted and worn with
sickness. his crutch In corner. his hands.
bopy and white, closed round hard, half
eaten apple. Tho hollow eyes light mp
when they SEQ the purple fruit nestline
among the COOL green leaves and the deli
cacies he scarcely knows by name. He Is
sure Master BERTHE has sent these, and De
la POer docs not undeceive him. He says
some encouraging word to the mother,
whose child will be spared to her, glad to
tell her 80 with convictions, and she cries
again, blessing him more feryently than
ever.
When the rector presents himself at
Willard Tower. he finds my Lord acting as
propeller of mail cart" to his boys. who
are full of the exuberant spirit SO peculiar
to their years and perfect health. dc is in
no wise Disconnected at being discovered in
cordially. and asking after each member
of the family by name, which proves that
he possesses royal memory. The rector
leads gradually up co the subject OF De la
Poer, of W nom ho relates all the good he
knows. guided by the light thrown by dis
covcry of the poverty born in silence. Lord
Willard turns q little pale, his face is some-
what hard, he certainly is not moved as
the rector has expected. and though aware
that no one can do gracious act more Rra-
fearing. that not much practical sym mpathy
Will be forthcoming.
Composed to coldness outwerdly. Lord
Willard is on fire within. Good heaven.
has there been truth in that vile story!
Can il be possible that the man he Is
asked to help is husband of the woman hc
has thought of marrying. Is he standing.
indeed, on the brink of so black q DIFF
He tiings open the window with much the
same action as when he heard her name
familiarIy uttered by coarse and vulgar
lips. feeling as it some crisis of his fate had
come.
BY ana by to bis rescue come the natural
generosity and kindness of his character.
enabling him to set aside ell personal feel
ings and prejudices. "Well bred. we'll edu-
Gated. with undeniable references" he re-
peats, Il will take him at your word, rec
tor. l will do what can."
The result of this interview is. in the first
place. the writing of note in which Lord
Willard earnestly begs the favor of a visit
from Mr. De la Poer. in the second Mr.. pe
la Peers presenting himself In reply at
Willard Tower.
He looks pale. thin and i'll. and Lord
Willard feels that he cannot help plying
HIM. even if his own errors and excesses
have brought HIM to this pass. The boys
troop past the window with lingling rein
and harness. turning aughing faces father
wards as if asking him to hasten and share
the fun.
Perhaps you can gness why have sent
for you" says Lord Willard. He mods a,
his wild darlings. and shakes paternnl
fist. As Mr. De 10 Poer does not reply, he
resumes: 'One cannot 60 on playiDG
horses forever. want you to consider how
you would like the charge of my young-
sters. NJ. Darradale thinks 1t high time
they had better tutor than myself. and
with his usual kindness relieved me oi
some trouble by recommending you. Don't
decide hastily, think sbout il, and We will
| compare notes at tho end of the week.
The pale face fiushes-the muscles of the