Evening times-Republican., 1903-11-19

head. brushed back SO strongly that he
always looked as though he were fac
ing heavy wind, and that the heavy
wind in earlier years, had absolutely
blown his hair off the top OF his head:
to carry the matter further, he spoke
In gasps, as though battling with the
wind, and had watery blue eyes. as
though that same wind had been too
much for him.
Mrs. Pitkin was of large and stern
aspect, ruling her household with rod
of iron, and, apparently. dispising Mr..
Pitkin. Mr.. Pitkin was the ostensible
proprietor of "Pitkin's Private Hotel !;
but Mrs Pitkin could have told you
another tale. Mr.. Joseph Pttkin went
out in the morning. and was supposed
to dabble in vast financial affairs. some
where east OF the Mansion House: he
came home at night (without any d.
rect results In his pockets) and listened
for an hour or two afterward to long
recital OF Mrs. Pitkin's woes. and an
oft-reiterated inquiry as to why she
had ever united herself to him.
At the time this faithful history be-
gins. Mrs. Joseph Pitkin had gone on a
visit to sister (reputed to be more
Arm and forbiding Of aspect than her
self) and Mr.. Joseph Pitkin was fres
More than that. diabolical scheme had
matured in the brain OF Mr.. Pitkir,
and he meant to carry it out. He trem-
bled a little when he thought OF IT.
but his resolve was taken and he was
not to be shaken from 1t.
I'll bring 'em tosether!" said Mr..
Pitkin wondering little at his own
boldness.
AS a matter Of fact Mr.. Pitkin had
suddenly found himself involved In a
romantic episode. OF course he need
not have touched It; but despite Mrs.
Pitkin. he was OF romantic nature
himself, and was rather pleased than
otherwise to fiad himself mixed UP IN
the affair.
Such a very poor and ordinary AFFAIR
it was! 1t had happened some years
before that Mrs. Pitkdn had taken into
her establishment (as matter OF char
|ity, she declared) young girl to assist
her In regard to "Pitkin's Private Ho-
tel and had. from that time onward
got little more out OF her than she
could have got out OF two average
servants, and had been able to abuse
her in a way no self-respecting serv-
ant would have stood for five minutes.
Little Deborah Rerrdle had stood 1t, for
the sake of bread and butter, for three
wears: had seen the great world to
which. under happier circumstances,
she might have belonged slipping away
from her; had done everything for Pit
Ikin,s,,-from the keeping of accounts to
the making Of beds on an emergency.
| She was a pretty girl, and. what Is
better. q ndce girl. She was always
cheerful and bright and kind; she had
long ago subdued what spirit had been
left In her; she had long ago forgotten
appa rently. that there was any world
outside ..Pitkin's." And = stranges'
thing of aM-she wos lady-ir
thought and feeling and manner.
Suddenly into the midst of her life
md come that one element OF romance
| A certain nephew OF Mrs. Pitkin-one
Frank Dornton-paid an unexpected
visit to his aunt. He was young
Journalist. struggling and fighting te
4 MINT his little banner OF fame some
where In London: full of hope anc
buoyancy, and bringing with him
breath from the great world that was
not bounded by Bloomsbury and Tot
tenham Court Road.
And. OF course, in the very nature OF
things, Frank Dornton fell In love WIFI
little Deborah Rsndle. He was poor
and 80 was she: he was frdendless, anc
she was nearly so; and both were young
so that 1t happened that he oalne often
e- to "Pitagin's" than has deAre tor The
society Of Mrs Pitkin seemed to war
rant.
Now, the mild and gentle Joseph Pit
kin had eyes 70 see matters OF whicf