Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1904-06-18
@ THE HONOR
OF A NAME D D
BY ELLIS HoLDCM


GEORGE had always been extremely
fond of Burton, his younger
brother, and he made no secret of 1t.
There were several brothers and sisters
between-in fact George was a good 20
years Burton's senior, but somehow
there was a subtle cord connecting the
two that nobody exactly understood.
"Bertie has got the real stuff in him,
mother" George would say on one OF
his rare visits home. Hes a true
Gray, and when he gets ready to go
against the world | would like to en-
gineer him for a few years"
The mother would look from the
strong face of her eldest son, who had
made so great a success in the word,
to the dimpled cheeks Of her youngest
born. and laugh in pure joy that the
latherless child had so strong a pro-
tector. For George Gray certainly had
won his spurs. Never poor, the family
had found their affairs considerably
tangled when the father died. In the
midst of the general ENHANCEMENT
George had returned from college and
with the easy assurance of a master had
taken the management of the estate
from the hands Of the lawyers and the
rest of the family. and in a few brief
months had Strengthened everything
out in a most satisfactory manner In
doing 30 he had required an intimate
knowledge of the stock market, into
which he plunged Immediately upon his
release from his self-imposed task OF
placing the affairs Of the family upon a
secure foundation. A few years had
sufficed for him to make an Independent
fortune, since when he had lapsed into
the easy and luxurious life of the typ
ical city club-man. His married
brothers and sisters he regarded with
more or less Indifference, his mother
with deep respect and veneration. But
BERTHE he looked upon with the keen
affection of a parent or a lover.
And so while Burton was still at
school George posted him at the exclu-
sive clubs so he would be reached by the
time he was ready to join.
George Gray was a typical old batch
of the old school and was thoroughly
welded TO his clubs, his comfort ana
his independence.
It was when Burton'was just turning
into his twenties that George was star
tied out of his easy-going, complacent,
luxurious life by a letter from his
mother.
ooh, George" It ran, II fear all is
lost. BERTHE Is infatuated with an
actress-a low, vulgar, third-rate
actress-and threatens to marry her.
And from the way he has talked to me
] fear that he will 10 it. He is so like
his grandfather Gray-so high-headed
and impatient OF restraint or authority,
that | fear he will DO his worst. Think
Of It, George, Bertie-dainty, aristo-
cratic, artistic BERTHE, tied to a coarse
vulgarian. Do-do try to DO something,
| can do no more, Indeed, | fear have
done too much already. | fear ! have
set him in his determination by my
violent opposition. Try, George, try,
| have no other help to lean on in this
great affection"
George Gray read the letter entirely
through and then read IT through
again. He lit a fragrc'' cigar and
leaned back in the great leather e lir
his favorite corner at his favorite
club. He blew out a Whit Of blue
smoke. Then he bit the cigar s~ayaeely
and said
Dam"
Then he pitched the cigar into the
cuspidor and rang for a cab.
Yes, there was only n thing to do.
He must give up all his comforts and
luxuries and HE himself to Littleford,
where BERTHE was in college, and upset
this impossible marriage. He had
thought 1t all out in a minute. BERTHE
could not be defed or driven, and
Heaven forbid that he should be per-
mitted to blast his life in this way. He
was the only human being who knew
BERTHE well enough to manage him.
Yes, he must give up his clubs and his
ease and immediate himself upon the
spur of necessity,
On the following evening he arrived
at Littleford. Burton was evidently
not only surprised, but suspicious,
Gust run down to get a breath Of
country air and have a chat with you"
said George, cheerily, ignoring Burton's
constraint. "And incidentally ! want to
see her ladyship. Mother has been
writing me that you have found your
destiny and she don't seem to like 1t,
Women are so Internally set in these
matters. Just as though every fellow
hasn't got to settle these affairs for him
self. So ! thought I'd come down and
brace you mp a bit"
The suspicion vanished from Bur
face, the constraint from his nan
ner.
You're a brick, George he eX-
claimed. You're the only one in the