The Washington times., 1903-02-01

from the suffering her own Tashness
would have entaiIed, but also because he
was the principal in whose service Dan
ton had blundered-
DO you think your mother is acting
for the best?" ne asked. after pause,
and with an anabIe and soothing smile,
AS she cannot meet the assessments,
would it not be wiser to SELF"
For a moment the young girl was
silent. She seemed about to give vent to
another floor of tears. Then she straight
ened UP and pointed to the surrounding
country with sweeping gesture that
was infinitely graceful. if. somewhat
Theatre.
My mother is Spanish" she said.
somewhat proudly. and once she owned
all this land. By assessments and taxes
they have taken everything except her
home. Would you now have them take
that also?''
Stanley made no reply; he never pre-
sumed to argue with lady And be
sides, he knew argument to be futile
with such as he presumed her mother to
be-one of those who had seen many
| leagues Of hills and fields swallowed up,
some by taxes. but more by the green
table. and each loss contracting the
mind until it clung to the last remain
ing vestige of the wreck as with grip
that only death could break. Hitherto,
it must be confessed, he had failed to
appreciate. and certainly had not re
spected, this inordipate love for he
home, nor did he yet; but the indiyid-
uaI case before him seemed to have been
placed in new light.
Not that he, for a moment, enter
tanned any material alteration of the
program that he had laid out. but he
believed that, like nauseous drugs, even
the loss of home might be rendered
pleasant when properly administered.
And a small mortgage, I presume, 50
( he began agafn-but the suggestion was
not completed The young girl shook
her head vigorously, convincing him, or,
rather. confirming an earlier conviction.
that such a solution of the difficulty
would be regarded much as would the
proffered assistance OF a nineteenth cen
turv tootDad.
During a brief silence that followed.
the cab drew up before a yine-covered
gateway. and he at once assisted her
to alight. Then he accompanied her to
the gate.
NO. III not come IN today-tomor-
row, perhaps" he said. in response TO
her request But I would say one word
before 60 hardly think IT necessary
to worry your mother OF yourself about
what took place at the station You
may. and probably viii, be arrested,
but if you will permit. I shall consider
myself favored in being allowed to act
as your bondsman. After that we viii
see what can be done in the other mat
ter you mentioned"
Tears again filled the young girls
eyes, but they were tears Of gratitude.
and. extending her hand, she pressed his
warmly
You are knd-very kind she said. in
low tone but you are a stranger"
Stanley al once produced a card.
Not any longer he returned, with
cheerful aIacrfty that frightened her
fearful face. y don't think you'll be
punished further than the inconvenience
Of an arrest, and a word to the hotel will
find me, should not learn of It in time
10 be present"
DO you think would if-i I had
killed him. she asked, hesitatingly.
But Mr.. Flint had already turned away,
and there was no reply.
Nevertheless he had heard, and repeat
ed the question as he again settled him
self back in the cab. But. even to him
self, he did not answer it; the sentiment
conveyed was manifestly plain. but it
was not at all in accord with his own
manner Of reasoning. True. Danton ap-
peared to have carried on his negotIa-
tons with the deIicacy and fnesse of a
pugillst in the ring. but to him would be
melted out a billet more lasting than
those discharged from a pistol Of small
caIiber. and Mr.. Flint smiled, but not
agreeably. Mrs. ArguelIo was, of course,
INTERCHANGEABLE had been caught IN the
path Of 4 financial cyclone and could not
Withstand its blast; bur the world was
moving, and only to her own ignorant
bigotry did she owe her inability to re
tain her place in the great procession.
"A mans home is his castle" he NUT
tered IN a half satiricaI tone. but the
money lenders get most of the castles,
and We"
There he broke off. and looked back to
ward the house which he was rapidly
leaving behind Somehow he was not