Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-04-16

Nevertheless, I have said the rector
Erimly.
Gardner shrugged his shoulders, but said
nothing. The rector noted carefully the
guinness OF the mans eyes and the hope
lessness of his every movement.
1T Is, moreover, something I think can
be remedied," said the rector
Indeed said Gardner, with ironic in
Election See here, Rod, 1 haven't asked
but you'll get it just the same" said the
rector shortly.
Go ahead, then" said Gardner with an
air of resignation.
The rector rose from the chair with no
word of explanation and began to clear
the room. He locked the two doors of the
study and slipped the keys in his pocket;
he closed the loaded windows; he moved
the furniture, into the corners Of the room.
Gardner watched him quietly, and If he
wondered at all this preparation, he gave
no articulate hint of it. When the rector
had finished he sat down by the desk
"Phil,' said he, when I asked you to
come back this afternoon I thought pos
sibly / might have some plan developed.
1 am happy to say such is the case. l
what was best to be done. You see 1
I started out on an entirely false basis.
was thinking Of you as a man. Then 1t
suddenly occurred to me you were still a
and the whole thing was ridiculousy plain.
What you need at present more than any
thing else in the world is an everlasting
good thrashing'
Gardner was silent evidently waiting for
the other to continue.
"And that" said the rector after pause,
lis just what you'll get.
He slit the strings of the bundle on the
desk before him, and drew forth set of
regulation boxing gloves. He threw off
his coat and his high-cut clerical vest.
and began to lace one pair Of the gloves
to his wrists. The other pair he tossed
to Gardner.
The latter stared at them dumfounded,
and then at the tall figure of the rector
lacing on his gloves in a quiet, business
like fashion
whats the meaning of this absurd
farce?'
Take off your coat and stand up" said
the rector CURLY. Il intend to thrash
you
He noticed with satisfaction that faint
color had come into Gardeners pale cheeks
and a CLEAN had displaced the dull look
in his eyes.
II wouldn't be so sure of 1t, Rod, said
Gardner quickly.
Take off your coat and get up" the
rector commanded.
1t was a strange scene that was enacted
in the study that afternoon. The rector
of ST. Luke's and his strapping antagonist
tented and countered and delivered stag
gering blows. The study resounded with
the shuffling of their feet and the dull
thud of well-aimed blows. They ducked
and doubled with considerable dexterity and
blood streamed from the rectOrS nose. For
full twenty minutes 1t was nip and tuck,
and then the rector caught his man in
an ungUarded moment. His right shot out
like catapult to the point of the jaw and
Gardner sank i'm a heap on the floor.
The rector laid him on the couch and
unlaced the gloves. He bathed his own
perspring face and donned the coat and
high-cut clerical vest. Then he sat down
by the window and waited.
Presently Gardner stirred uneasdly on
the couch and sat up. He looked about in
dazed manner. and. spying the rector,
smiled weakly.
of yours. wasn't 1t. Rod?" he asked, nurs-
Ing his Jaw.
The rector nodded. Gardner looked at
him doubtfully for a moment and then
said
Rod. think you have some advice back
of all this. and / rather think I'm in the
proper condition to appreciate It."
Nor did the rector slight this opportunity.
And. Phil" he said In conclusion. you
want to swallow your pride. IL you've any
left now. and go back to Barton Com
pany. But first Of ALL you'd better tell
Gertrude the whole TRUTH
Gardner thought deeply for few mo-
ments. his head held between both his
hands. Then he took the rector's fingers
| In his grip.
You're right. as usual. Rod" he said
simply.
Some weeks later. on another perfect
spring morning, Gardner again came into
the study a buoyant bubbling Gardner this
| time.
"It's to be in June after all, Rod" he an
your fee should be record one for this
vicinity
II think I've earned It," said the rector
with quiet smile.