The Washington times., 1894-08-05

In the evening he betakes himself to the
little cottage. and is admitted by De In Poer
himself. Perhaps the rector looks about him
more otservantly than before; at any rate the
painful bare neatness OF the room seems re-
vealed 10 him for the first time. The man is
wan and thin bis eyrs have the strained ex-
preston 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 fit OF coughing, .'if you would
spend an hour or two with US on Sunday-no
one there but ourselves-and we will allow
you to go away whenever you wish? You are
shutting yourself up 200 much" Mr.. De In
Poer signs and looks down; no doubt remem-
bering what he owes to the Darradalcs, re-
fusai is difficult.
1T is for our pleasure, no. for your own."
saws the rector $50 | hope YOU Will at least
think about it. Now l have something else
TO ask on my wile's behalf. She thinks that
you are neglectinc yourself. as ose too often
does. my dear De Ia Poer. in time of sorrow.
and she is sending you some grapes and that.
10 coax your apI e-ite-you know how women
love 20 coddle. The fruit is from our own
winery so | kno- it is good he adds. for he
never offers one a thing as If lie were glad to
be rid OF it. or with the depreciation OF gift,
considered good form by so many. and
with this he takes his departure, leaving Mr..
De IL Poer to reflect.
Shortly after one of the Darrada!e maids
comes with basket laden with golden jelly.
and lovely bloomy grapes that look almost too
good 10 be eaten: there is something tempt
ing il The dainties to which he has long been
unaccustomed. and he has lifted some OF the
delicious fruit 70 his parched mouth. when
the thought which dominates his whole life,
of i necessity greater than his own. arises.
on ptly ha has ms zla his 70 the
cottage where sickness is rife, and want by no
means an unfamiliar presence.
Mrs. Coison herself openS the shaky door,
and recognizing her visitor. is at once on the
defensive. She never meant to harm his little
b0y-she only thought il would cheer Jim up
to see the little gentleman as was always so
frank and free. and any way he needn't come
TO reproach her now in her trouble. when
sickness and sorrow and work are like to
drive her distracted. MIR. De la Peor's quiet
voice cuts through her voluble sentences.
Il have not come to reproach you: 1 know
you meant no hsrm,n he says. Jim was kind
to my boy. and have brought some grapes
for him. if he may have them"
Mrs. Colson instantly dissolves in tears.
"Oh, the Lord bless your' she cries. For
you are good man; and. indeed, my heart
is broke with them saying it's me as made
YOUR boy i'll, and Jim being so low. and no
money coming in. and father taken to drinki''
As he passes In she touches his arm and
whispers that Jim doesn I know. and he under
stands her. He goes bravely smiling to The
poor lad. wasted and worn with sickness. his
crutch in a corner. his hands, bony and white.
closed round n hard. hall-eaten apple; the
hollow eyes light up when they see the purple
fruit nesting among the cool green leav1 &C.
and the delicacies he scarcely knows by
name He is sure Master Berthe has sent
these. and De l1. Poer does not otundcceive him.
He says some encouraging word to the
mother whose child will be spared to her.
glad to tell her so with conviction, and she
cries again, blessing him more fervently than
ever.
When the rector presents himself at Willard
Tower, he finds my lord acting as propeller OF
IL mail cart" to his boys. who are full of the
exuberant spirits peculiar to their years and
perfect health. He is in no wise disconnected
at being discovered in this humble position,
greeting his visitor cordially and asking after
each member of the family by name, which
proves that he possesses royal memory.
The rector leads gradually up to the subject
Of De la Poer of whom he relates all the good
he knows, guided py the light thrown by dis
covery OF the poverty borne in silence. Lord
Willard turns 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 Graeiously
than his lordship, he cannot help fearing that
not much practical sympathy will be forth
coming.
Comp osed to coldness. outwardly, Lord
Willard is on fire within. Good heavens has
there been truth in that vile story? Can it
be possible that the man ne is asked to help
is husband of the woman he has thought OF
marrying? Is he standing indeed on the
brink of so black pit? He fiIngs open the
window, with much the same action rs when
he heard her name familiarly uttered by
coarse aud vulgar lips. feeling as If some
crisis Of his fate had come.
By and by to his rescue come the natural
generosity and kindliness OF bis character,
enabling him to set aside all personal feelings
and prejudices. ''well bred, well educated,
with undeniable references" he repeats; Il
will take him at your word. rector. will do
what can.''
The result Of this interview is, In the first
place, the writing of a note in which Lord
Willard earnestly begs the favor Of a visit
from Mr.. De Ia Poor; in the second, Mr.. De la
Peers presenting himself in reply at Willard
Tower.
He looks pale, thin, and i'll, and Lord VIII
lard feels that he cannot help plying him.