Evening star., 1902-09-13
HES A FINE LOCKER"

just your friend. He's older than you are,
and perhaps even older in his ways. that S
all. You fancy that he's looking after you"
It's no fancy when a man lectures fell
! low. Jerusalemi. To hear him talk one
| would think l was the most depraved gam
bier he'd ever struck; he breaches by the
hour, pictures the terrible fate that awaits
the foolish man who has dollar on a
horse race
Alan"
That's right, girl, he does. And If he
doesn't change, doesn't let up on it, I'll
change my quarters, that's ALL I won't
stop in the same house with him. 1 don't
need wet nurse"
You need lot of things, brother"
"Oh, do 1?'
Yes, you need patience and you need
appreciation of kindness. and you need just
such an honorable outspoken friend as
Mr.. Mortimer. You stick to him, Alan
mo, 1 won't I'll leave that for you to
do"
Hush. Don't talk that way, please"
"Oh, no, keep it dark, eh, Sis. What has
he taken this sudden interest in me for?
DO you think I'm blind? When a young
man moons about there's something up;
that's if he's in a healthy condition, and
MortimerS strong as OK. When a mans
mooney, he's either lost a lot of money
or a near relative, or he's in love"
You're silly, Alan"
No, it's the other fellow You've guessed
1t, but you've got the wrong pig by the
ear"
Il won't talk to you, Alan You're OBJ
jectonable.'
Thanks, awfully; for both the resolve
and the compliment. What's Crane doing
down here so much, Allis?' the young vii
IAN said, seeking new plea for exasperat-
ing his sister.
Hes come to see father, and he has
bought Diablo, as you know"
n nc
Our worthy president takes to it as nat
urally as the kitten to new milk [ only
asked for the information for Mortimer"
ana he looked supremely Indifferent as if
ne hau executed commission. and, having
done so, washed his hands of the whole
business.
He never told you to ask, and you know
1t, Alan"
He as good as did SO. He spoke about
Cranes buying Diablo, and could see with
half an eye that he was fishing for informa :
ton. He pretended to be quite disinter-
ested, but he didn't pull the wool over my
eyes. 1 suppose he came out with me this
time for fear I'd get lost"
HE came because mother wrote and in
vited him.
"At a suggestion, eh?"
Yes. Father thought he'd like to see
him; he gets lonesome, and. having some
body to talk to, brghtens him up
Let Mortimer talk to father. then
they're about of an age
Hes only four years older than Won are
Alan" -
I'm years. perhaps; he's forty in the aw-
full solemnity of his responsibilities; he's
the Oldest young man I ever saw-Rame sec
| wasn't in 1T with him They say a woman's
as old as she looks. and they might add. a
| mans as old as he acts and Mortimer s
a hundred, II he's a day."
Look here, brother" pleaded the girl
fathers laid up, and we've got a heap of
trouble. 1 know you mean to do what's
right. Alan, but you must be patient. Please
don't make it harder for me; I'm sure that
Mr.. Mortimer has simply taken this yery
roundabout way to open your eyes to the
responsibility that has come to us ALL What
you resent, he means in kindness. You've
of nonsense. Mr.. Mortimer cares nothing
for me, and I'm sure I've never given any-
one reason to think that he does. I know
he DOESN'T
| mean to hurt your feelings: but he has been
indifferent since he had the set-.o with
Dtablo. OF course, don't mind, mean
about his taking you; he's decent enough
he's utterly spoiled SO far as I'm concerned; !;
he's too solemn-takes himself too seri-
ously: Why. he hasn't laughed for a
month; you'd think smiles were gold pic ces
He's economical enough without boarding
whatever bit of fun's in his make-up."
Go In and talk to father" said Allis,
breaking on the discussion.
~, by way OF repentance. will. sister
III send Mortimer out. and you'u forgive
me the nasty things I've said'' q
mot II you continue. 1 didn't ask you
| to- ~
But she didn't finish the sentence. Alan
had vanished, mocking smile On his face
Allis was growing weary of the idea that
| everybody felt called upon to provide her
| with suitor. She had quite enough to oc-
| cupy her mind in striving to extrica.e her
| father from his financial disabilities. Alan,s
| petulant utterances distressed i,er. Nortf
| mer was nothing to her; no. absolutely
| nothing. He had saved her life gaIlantv
| enough, OF course, and afterward had not