Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-06

sary TO Keep In constant touch with the
nank; SO they must become familiar with
the details of the ENHANCEMENT
mrs Porter had come TO have the utmost
commence In Cranes friendship snd abil-
lty; he was the one above all others to have
Diabo taken off their hands. So Philip
crane, to his intense delight. was sum-
moned to Ringwood. This was his first
knowledge of Porter's mishap, for he had
been in New York.
Crane was supposed TO possess a rare
magnetism: most certainly men came I'M
der his influence with a noiseless. cheerful
compiaisance. 1t may have been that there
was slight fascination in the oblique con-
tour of his eyes. but in reality his power
lay In his exquisite finesse; people delved
for him under the impression that they
We're laboriHg according to the dictates Of
their own sweet wills. Figuratively speak
Ing, he twisted Mrs. Porter round his fin
ger. and SO delightfully."- that she filled
with gratitude because of Cranes kindness
In their hour of trouble.
The matter of Diabio was settled in a
minute; he would buy the horse himself,
and the price could be arranged when Mrs
Porter was able to discuss the matter-that
Is, definitely: in the meantime he would
pay a thousand for him. He understood
Porter had bought him for that price With
a touch of kindly honor. Crane declared
that he would have a small bet on the horse
for Ailis the first time ne started.
Beyond parting with Diablo. Allis would
not go farther In the matter of selling the
horses; this was the full extent of her con-
that her father had entered Diablo in the
Brooklyn handicap. she might even have
refused to part with the horse. AS It hap
pened. Porter had entered both Iucretta
and Diablo In the Brooklyn a day or so be-
fore his accident, but had not spoken of it,
Crane assured Mrs. Porter that she need
not distract her mind over money matters.
the bank could easily carry their load until
her husband was himself again. No mat
ter how things turned Quit was a deli
cate matter to touch upon. the possibility
OF Porters condition taking a serious turn
out coming from Crane 1t seemed like
earnest of his sincerity-weH. Mrs. Porter
| would find friend in him quite willing and
able to smooth their difficult path.
Crane had meant to defer any protesta-
ton OF regard for AlliS until propitious
| future. but with his quick perception he
saw the psychological moment had been
| moved forward by the sudden effacement
OF the master of Ringwood. If he spoke
now to Mrs. Porter it would give her a
right to call upon his services. He would
appear In the light of debtor: 1t would
break down barriers which might seem to
exist because of their non-rela tionship
Crane had not been without a suspicion
that the younger man, Mortimer might
prove rival: heroics such as the Diablo
episode were apt to give young people a
romantic interest in each other. Fate had
more than evened matters up by giving him
the present opportunity. He thought with
some satisfaction how perfectly helpless
Mortimer was in the present instance, for
he was most undeniably poor. 1t was an
opportunity to be grasped, and Crane never
let the tide pass its food in the waters Of
his life.
So the banker spoke to Mrs. Porter Of his
strong love for Allis; so delicately and with
SO much sincerity that she was completely
won over. 1t Is true, the ground had been
prepared for the seed, for the mother had
long feared that Allis might become at
tached to some one of PorterS racing asso-
GATES Though strong in spiritual matters,
the good woman was not without worldly
instinct. She was pleased with Crane per
Sonally; he was not by any means a racing
man; rich banker would make a most de-
sirable husband for h W daughter OF
course. it would rest with the girl herself
Mrs. Porter would not co, rec nor influence
her; hut why should not Allis come to care
for Crane under the influence of his strong
love?
Mrs. Porters mind had rebounded from
Its dazed condition after her husbands ac-
e thnsl;. and was now acute. Al! these
Crane talked with mastery judgment
10 the mothers suggestion that he speak
TO Ais he put forward a plea of delicate
consideration for the girl he would rather
deny himself; he would wait patiently until
her mind was in a happier condition CIev-
erly enough he knew that Mrs Porter was
now MS ally, and would plead his cause
with less chance of failure than If he star
tied Allis by the sudden fronting of life's
great problem.
When Crane had gone Allis found her
mother Gained by his visit; his assurances
mad driven away distressing clouds of finan-
cfal worry.
Almost Immediately Mrs. Porter trans
mitted to the girl what had come to her of
Cranes declaration.
1t seems almost like an answer to my
prayers" she said to Allis: mot of course"
she interrupted herself-"that I've been
praying for husband for you but this
wicked racing has warped the whole woot
of my life; 1t seemed inevitable IN the
strength of it's communicating atmosphere
that you would be welded into it-thoueh
cad han t-iIfi
a path of SIM
Then you've settled 1t, motherl" Allis'
big eyes took on a dangerous look of re-
belion.
mo, daughter, you must choose for vour
self; only you VIII be wise not to go con-
trary TO your parents wishes. I did"
But you are not sorry, mother?' there
was reproach in the girls voice
Not for having welded your father. hut
because Of his racing life. L should have
been firmer and asked him to give it up be-
tS[e married him-he might have done it
then. MI Crane is a gentleman Allis-
that IS great deal nowadays and he loves
you most sincerely. Words often mean
very little, but one can tell-at least when
they We come to years Of discretion they can
from mans voice whether he is in earn
est or not. / suppose 1t is very worldly TO
speak OF his riches. but in poverty one can
do very little, very little good had rather
that you didn't have to look with misgiyine
into the future Allis; it has taken much
JOY out OF my existence. The dread of nov
eIly is nlghtmare-it wears ones life |
threadbare. To the young buoved I'M nv
confidence in the rosy future, this may seem |
sordid, but this feeling of insecurity mars |
many lives which might otherwise be !
happy.
You see, Allis.'' her mother continued |
Il know You are heart-whole so / cant
cause you any misery by my we!l-meant !
auvice. You We been a good girl. and there |
has been nobody Of your class about. Mr. |
mortimer is, dare say, a gentleman. ana |
must confess was afraid that you might |
mistake feeling of generosity to him for |
something stronger; but that was only an |
idle fancy, l see. IL would have heen nm
fortunate if it We're otherwise, for he is |
very poor; indeed. His small salary must |
be all taken up in keeping himself his
widowed mother and younger sister,
Allis gave a sudden start. She had not |
known these particulars of Mortimer's life: /
but they carried certain explanations OF |
his conduct. Quite casually she had form /
ed an impression that he was penurious; |
something he had dropped about not being !
able to afford certain pleasures. That was
where the money went-to support his |
mother and sister
unwittingiy, her mother was pleading his
cause.