Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-21
THE HOUSE OF THE
BLACKRING.
BY FRED LEWIS PATTEE.
ecOpyrsh by Henry & Co.
Copyright, 1905. by Henry Holt & Cob

! CLEANS ~ fire creeping in fantastic. snake
| IKE figures along the ridges The smoke
had been deepening all day. and II was
| bringing on the niEht fun hour ahead OF
The interview with Rose had cheered
Kari When woman hesitates ana tenn
| porlzes there IS but one ending possible,
/ and he realized H. OF course she would
accept him IN the end II was the ,yay OF
u1aidens TO lie coy and TO say no at first.
one must expect that. Therefore as he and
me squire sat in the twilight with their
pipes, he was in jubilant spirits He felt
almost like confiding in the old man, but
that would be premature. He led the con-
versation at length up to the subject Of
house building. Which was best a Holld
blue limestone house a solid brick, ana
cost?
Building it for yourself or to rent?"
Why, for myself?'
When would you want to begin2' The
squire had way Of getting at the heart or
things at once
wy, 1 DON'T know You see, our house
Is small and is getting old. I'd like to be-
gin right on and have It boarded In by the
time snow flies"
Want my honest opinion7'
wy, of course"
Don't do It,"
Don't do it7' He turned suddenly ana
mo. Don't think of It, Fools build
houses and wise men live in en- Now.
Karl, don't you think of building house
I'll you hear from me. I've got pretty
definite ideas about house building, and
want to go over tho matter carefully" He
turned the subject with abruptness. and al
though Karl was mystiiied he rode home
through the gap well content, satisfied that
life. after all, is good and that merit In this
world ever finds it's true reward.
When the squire came in from seeing
Karl off he found Rose alone In the kitchen
scolding the cat.
You're a bad. bad boy" she was saying.
holding him up by the front paws and put
ting her face close to his. You're a
naughty cat to catch poor little birds.
Aren't you ashamed Of yourself?"
The old man seemed to be in a great good
| humor
so you've settled It. have you, Dot? Ho.
no, ho!' He chuckled her under the chin,
and cooked his hat at her jovially. "Oh.
you can't fool your old Pap"
Settled whatT' She put down the cat
and turned to him curiousy
"Oh, Karls told me all about his fne new
house. Going to have It boarded In before
snow flies heigh? know what that means.
Now, Rose, you don't want to build any
house. Don't do It,"
Why, father what
We cant have you living. way down
feelingly. He had blown out his lantern
| and had come very close to her. Mother
and / want you here You won't go and
leave US, VIII you. Rose? / want you TO
bring Karl right up here to live. I'll
give him a share in things. and Il shall
all be yours when we are gone every
bit of 1t" There was feeling in his voice.
Why, father. | haven't said anything
to Karl. l haven't promised him single
thing"
"oh, but you will. OF course you will.
He asked me and I said No square
and fiat. and I meant it,"
oh. no. no. no, Rosie. Don't say that"
But. Rose-say, is there some one else,
Rose?"
NO there isn't
You're quite certain?'
''I don't want to marry anybody I don't
see why I've got to be tormented every
minute by somebody wanting to marry
me-"
But Rose, you must be married some
time"
why must II"
Wal, one thing is because your mother
and aren't going to be here long. You'll
be left alone then with this great house
and this great property"
But It'll be years and years, Pap" she
said impulsively. You'll live years vet
and I'll get married some time. of course
II l must. There's no hurry. Pap"
Ihere are some things you don't know
Rosie. m going quick when do go. I'm
haDle TO drop on any time. You know about
my dizzy spells; I've got all the symptoms
your grandfather had, and he died a
younger man than I. We all go that way.
I'm failing UP, Rose. l can feel H. I'm
broken old man." His voice choked.
"Oh, don't, Pap. Please don't" She threw
her arms about him impulsively
I've got only one great wish now" he
went on feelngly, and that is to leave the
property ell right and whole. ! can trust
Karl. Say, Rose. won't you, TO please
me?''
She did not answer.
You won't have me long. Rose. or moth
er, either. 1t seems IL you'd Ike 10
please US when we ask only one little thing,
and It would Kill me, Rose. If you should
disappoint Promise me you'll take
Karl the very next time he asks you.
Won't you promise?'
oh Pap, there's no hurry"
Indeed there is. Rose ] want IL now.
can't sleep nights until it's settled Some
thing liable TO happen any minute. Won't
you Rose?' She glanced up into her
fathers face and there were tears there.
1t thrilled her and touched her to the heart.
She had never seen tears in his eyes be-
fore,
Come. Rosie. won't you promise?'
Yes. l promise she said waveTingly.
Thank God. That makes me happy. L
can trust you, Rose You've never deceived
me yet. It's coming out gloriously-glori-
ousy. Karl's a good fellow. Rose, and he'll
make you happy"
CTo be continued tomorrow