New-York tribune., 1903-07-29
CHAPTER XVIII Continued.
MURDocHs BIRTHDAY GIFT.

MURDOCES BIRTHDAY GIFT
Just little while ago. said Kate, while
was on my way over here, I thinking how
harsh the world was. And now He left the
sentence unfinished.
Why did the world seem harsh?"
'I don't know. Because I was not man
enough to ask for what wanted. perhaps"
Was there nothing else?"
He hesitated. "Shedsy had brought me some
news I did not like"
What was it?'
Nothing"
ct have right to know
Yes. you have; double right. It is about
Carfax College
'"Weu?'
He says-it sounds a little wild-that Muir
doch, or some one he knows of, is going to give
Carfax College a million a year.
What
"Of course it's absurd. But there's something
in it, no doubt Shedsy had it from Frank Brad
ford tonight
She looked at him half frightened. 7 wonder
if dad knows?''
NO. I am sure ne doesn't"
Would you tell him?"
1T is only runor."
'If it came so directly as you say. it is more
than a rumor''
THAT is true
misunderstood"
'Shedsy never uisunderstands.'
And he had It from Mr.. Bradford to-night?'' 30
Yes What object would Frank possibly have
in speaking Of such a thing if it were not true?''
Il would rather tell father myself than have
him find it out suddenly. Did he say when the
news was to be given out?
Soon he thought"
TT would be like that to try and make a
sensation out of IT," she said vindicttvely. He
cares for nothing but notoriety-he and his
pickles. Look at those bilboards"
Where is your father?''
Il believe he has gone to bed. He isn't very
we'll"
Before the statement had left her lips the door
opened slowly, and Dr. Craven. in dressing
gown and slippers appeared. He Looked very
old Kates heart was stirred again with a rush
of pity.
Marion" the president said, 4 rememb-'
that I have a letter I must send VIII YOU
| transcribe it for me?"
His daughter looked from the young man TO
the old She saw, in her eager fancy. headlines
shrieking the news of this great gift TO Carfax
College; she saw her father surprised, shocked,
upset in his feebleness He ought 10 be warned
of this chance she reasoned. Her mind was
made UP impulsively. Tell him" she said 10
Kate
DIR. Craven" said Kate. hesitantly Il wish
! TO marry your daughter
Il beg your pardon?'
| L didn't mean that" she interrupted. I
meant-never mind. It is quite true, daddy
dear He wishes to marry me. and wish 10
marry him. May -"
DR.. Craven looked from one to the other He
held out his hand TO Kate. saying:
Il think, my dear will get your mother TO
| transcribe my letter" He turned.
No. wait" said Marion. Mr.. Strong. tell
| him about the other
! I'VE heard a tonight, DR.. Craven,
said Kate. obediently that Marion-that we
! think you should know of. It came TO US very
| directly that Mr.. Murdoch, some one he
knows of, is about to give great deal of money
to Carfax College. The sum mentioned was
81 100000 a year"
7 beg your pardon, Mr.. Strong. 1 am not
sure I heard you rightly. VIII you say that
again. I1ease?" Kate said it again DR.. Craven
sat down. His daughter took the arm Of his
chair, and put her hand upon his arm
A rumor only you say? I cannot believe 1t,
Strong Mr.. Murdoch would have notified US
through the proper channels. He is a trustee.
| These matters are not given to the public be-
/ fore they have been acted on officially
We had it from his-from Mr.. Bradford to-
night"
/ rs it possible
Yes, sir
What a gift! What college we-they will
have, with that endowment"
They echoed his daughter. in irrepressible
indignation.
/ Il am an old man, my dear" reproved her
/ father. gently I aru-an old man" He looked
AT the thin hand his daughter held-a scholar s
hand long blue veined wrinkled. For eleven
/ years he had been professor Of Greek at Carfax
+ College, and president for twenty-seven Yes,
he was an old man Yet he had not before real
lied so keenly that seventy was a great age He
had always intended TO resign at seventy, and
so secure time to finish his commentaries Well
the time for the commentaries might come
sooner than he had fancied.
They will never began Kate, in a low
voice as if lac. were afraid Of blasphemy. But Dr.
Craven was rude enough for almost the first
time in his life TO interrupt. They will never
ask for my resignation. No. do NOT believe
thev would Mr. Murdoch is TOO kind hearted a
man to acknowledge the inevitable. But OF
/ course-if this news proves true, as l hope and
believe it may-I shall resign at once. could
not direct the fortunes of such an institution as
this viii be" He Iapsed into silence.
Father"
'Ah-what is il. my dear2 vas just think
! ing"-his voice trailed of Thinking? Yes; he
was thinking Of the thirty-eight years which he