The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-04-09

| CS, L We VI LhC DldCSS 1C-
Joined the elder man; Browns been
putting Lot of money into it, and he
wants me to join him. Let me know
what you think Of it when you get
| there"
with pleasure. thought it would
do as we'll as any for point of de-
parture; you know I'm going to live in
the woods"
Placid Mrs. Morrison smiled, incredu-
lousy. I've been trying to imagine it
ever since Helen told us, but l can't"
she said. "Why, you've never been out
Of reach of your bath and your morning
paper since you were old enough 10
know the good of either"
Philip WINGED little under tie crit
icism. A month earlier, while the armor
of Indifference was bullet-proof, he
would have smiled and said there was
time enough to prove all things; but
now there was sting in the pleasantly,
Parbed by the thought that he should
never be able to refute this or any other
just reflection upon his shortcomings.
81 deserve that" he said. "Ive never
been anything but drone"
"Eh? what's that?" asked Mr.. Nor
risson, looking up from his book.
"ThGts what I've been telling you ever
since you left school. You've got your
work to do in the world, my boy, just
the same as the rest of us. I'm glad
you're finding it out before it's too
late"
"It is too late" said Philip, quietly,
the answer slipping out before discre-
ton could shut the door.
Nonsense! Why, you've got the bet
ter part of your life before you yet.'
Perhaps; but that isn't what l
meant. If one does the best he can from
The time when he begins to learn the
meaning of well-doing, he is only fill
ing the measure of his reason for be-
ing; and, granting this, there is no
such thing as atonement for years of
idleness."
The old lawyer put down his book to
applaud the sentiment. Better yet!
at this rate you'll be an enthusiast be-
fore you're 80. I've often wondered if
the good old Woodworking stock of
the Thorndykes would run to seed %
one generation"
''That's one disadvantage in having
had brilliant father" Philip replied,
laughing. people expect the son to
keep up the family prestige, and they
lose sight of the fact that one of the
colnmonest results of the fathers abil-
ity is the accumulation of fund for
the propagation of idleness in his chill
dren."
Meanwhile Helen had been making
mute little tentative movements to-
ward the door of the adjoining draw
ing. room, and, as Philip continued to
ignore them, she left the group and
went to the piano in the other room.
Philip knew then that the time had
come, and joined her before her fingers
had found their way half through the
little melody she was playing. She
stopped when he came in, and turned
to him with question.
rs it time yet?"
pretty nearly; my train leaves at
ten"
you haven't told me how long you
will be away"
81 don't know; I can't tell" He
went to the window and stood with his
back to her, so that she might not see
the hopelessness in his eyes.
She followed him and linked her arm
in his. philip, you're not telling me
the worst of it; won't you trust me?"
She got no answer in words, but the
sense of touch told her something of
his struggle for self-restrafnt.
"Why don't you let me go with you?"
she pleaded. isn't it my right to share
your trouble and to helpyou bear it?"
vainly trying to say something which