The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-04-18
I Y

Ephrnim Litchfcld had lost his Tor
tune. AN old story-he endorsed notes
and the party failed irrctrievahly. 4
small annuity and q partly paid life In
surance policy was all that remained
II the policy could be carried until the
end--and that could not now be far off
Dorothy would never know want, and
the great work she was about to 90 for
humanity would not be frustrated He
had thought 1t all over in his lonely old
heart then he set out for the metropolis
an eastern house had offered him n 10
sition on tho road urging that his well
known integrity and wide acquaintance
IN mercantile circles would be invalua-
Die. He had made and lost several for
tunes IN his day Here was an oppor-
tunity at least to pay up the insurance
policy, and would ii not bring him near
er to Dorothy? He told her all This
save the policy, as he slipped The tea
she brewed, and yielded 10 the wasAyl1h
Of her presence and the cosy domestici-
ty OF her tloll-lille apartment. 1t was ar
ranged that night that she should oc-
cupy hall bedroom on the same floor.
The next day he picked up the broken
threads and began life anew in lower
Broadway. 1t was pleasant to meet old
acqualntances, feel the pleasure OF thci:
hand. hear their hearty godspccd: pleas
anter still were tho evenings spent i'm
Dorothy's sitting room, where her ex-
periments in light housekeeping ALWAYS
amused him.
But the reserved Ephraim Litchfeld
OF middle life had matured into 4 gar
rulotH ola man. This Earrulity at
length wore upon Dorothy. 1t disturbed
the quiet imperative to her night work.
She tried 10 concca! her Annoyance. but
The SenliJivc soul OF the doting old fa-
Their Mt length perceived It, His visits
grew bricIer and briefcr until he fell to
spending the long evenings in his own
cherries quarters. She was not at
home often in the days that followed
Work crowded upon her as the course
drew to 4 close. When not demonstrate
ing III the college laboratory she was lee.
turing before Mother clubs and rprorn,
decorations. The physical strain began
70 wear upon her. She grew pale Thin
and irritable. Unwittingiy she let the
brunt fall upon thc inoffensivc old man.
and at the same time he found It u,,
bill work nj three score TO earn q com,
potency. Ihcro were so many Younger
men in the field While he received tho
courtesy and the good will Of houses
OF whom he had been heavy buyer
for quarter Of a century 1t was Young
blood. with new methods and novrl
ideas, that gathered the persimmons
1t was natural. He did not comploin
Hope of retrieving fortune was lost now
In fear lest he should be unable to carry
the pollcy 10 the end; but he KEEP: all
these troubles within his own breast
Often he yearncd To talk then, over with
Dorothy, but lie feared il might disturb
her.
Miss Litchfeld had begun to think
seriously Of the future--her future. Her
fathers financial reverses mad put ia
flight her dream OF Lady Bountiful, and
before the ink was dry upon her diploma
she made formal application. for a sal
aried position. Two were offered-one on
the east side. where she had many
friends among the poor: the other in q
distant city. The salary Of the latter
was most liberal.
II would prefer to remain in New
York" she explained to her father. "but
feel 1t my duty to go where the greater
salary is offered
The light died out Of Ephraim Litch-
fields wistful face.
Dorothy, dear" he said gently. 1--WE
have enough to live on, and-and my
work Is here"
but you need not come father"
She looked out over the chimney pots
With feelings akin to what she felt when
John Winter broke in SO ruuely upon her
advanced line OF thoughts. You can