Middletown transcript., 1897-08-21

J6u'S S80Gbum-n Hills etttluG@AOVAI
with hideous cheap furniture, 1aring
paper, and a table Uttered with books.
1t was all very cheerless, very dingy,
but JEFF waved his guest to q chair
with a certain dignity foreign to bis
usual manner-a survival, perhaps, Of
other ways Of life, and of other yisi-
tants than street preachers. After all
it is the man who makes his surround
ings. A parvenu can be vulgar in q
palace our little doctor, despite his
buster, might have been prince in
disguise.
So the preacher thought as he sat
down in the earmchair-black, h0rsehair
covered, and deficient in the matter OF
springs-and glanced round the room
at the well-worn books. at the oil-stove.
which smelt abominably, at the cup
board where the skeleton clattered its
empty jaws among dry crusts and an.
cient cheese.
s'Not much of place. is it ?" said
JEFF. "We've known better, both of
us. But it does-anything does. Ex-
cuse me, but / want my supper. Do
you mind my getting it ? Coin don't
run to many courses. But perhaps
you'll help me ? Hate solitary meals
always did; bad for the digestion.
Pah! how that Internal thing does
smell, to besure ~
OF course the preacher saw through
the device, and its clumsy, kindly
delicacy touched him as few things had
done of late. He murmured some
commonplace reply, and proceeded to
take q tender interest in the retrim-
ming Of the stove. fancy there were
tears in bis tired eyes as he fumbled
with the matches, and that he blessed
Jeff's grumpy hospitality with fervor
which would have agreeably astonished
the doctor, who had received so little
gratitude in bis time that he had out
grown the usual habit of expecting it,.
He did not look at his guest as he
hunted in the cupboard and brought
out such modest provision as it con-
tanned and presently the preacher rose
and began to set the table ready in
silence. AS he lifted one of the books,
something on its faded cover caught
his eye. On the brown leather was
stamped coat-of-arms, almost indis-
tinguishable by reason Of its antiquity.
jeff saw the glance directed toward
him, took the book from his compan.
ions hand and flung it roughly into o
correr.
Somebody's aristocratic vulgarity,"
he said shortly. "What do they want
to scatter their stupid quarterings
about for ? picked it up second
handed"
The preacher went on silently with
his task. He was quite aware that
the book had not been picked up
secondhand, but he did not even look
as If he doubted Jeff's statement. Only
/ think the skelton sidled little
closer to the cupboard door. It is a
thing which all skeletons will do at
times.
The two men sat down at the table
and began their supper. They did not
talk much at first; but presently JEFF
pushed back his chair and glanced
across at the preacher.
II told you lie jnst now," he said.
The preacher looked up, and the two
mems eyes met.
81 know you did," be answered,
simply.
II thought you didn't know. Rather
pride myself on telling lie neatly.
Learned it at scbool-about the only
thing l did learn there. Ah, now I've
shocked you"
NO. answered the other, sadly.
ST. am not easily shocked"
New sort of saint, Oh ? Well,
we've had about enough of the old.''
There was silence for moment, and
then JEFF said:
"Eow did you know ?"
"By the way you flung the book"
"Ah saw you looking at tbs old
shield, aud it hurt. Odd how small
things do hurt sometimes. Perhaps
you know that, too P''
81 know it very well," murmured
the preacher, with his eyes cast down.
Thought you did" said JEFF, with
little smile which had a touch Of
irony In it.
The little doctor could never be
quite serious-his retrospective mel
ancholy lad a dash of amusement in
it. He had grown used to the idea of
himself and the rest of humanity
squirming beneath the dissecting knife
Of malignant destiny.
"Been preaching long about here P'
he went on.
The preacher looked up, hslf-ner-
vously.
mo. Why do You ask 2n s.
'sNot staying long, are you p''
"No,n said the preacher, with a
quiet sound in his voice. mo, / think
I shah not stay very long,"
JEFF sprang to his feet, and then sat
down again. He looked hard at the
mans white face, and 1t looked back at
him. There was no fear in it, and the
sad eyes met his steadily.
"You-you must go away" said
JEFF.
The preacher smiled a little.
"Yes-where-to the south Of
France ? My dear doctor, that's not for
meat least not now. Once"-hs
stopped, and his eyes grew dreamy.
mot now,n hs.said again.
T.. a 4. 4