Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-02-24
Unto One of the
Least of These"
By RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
Copgriyht. 1905. bB RuiD LotiOlas
Copyright, 1895. bU RUBY DouOlas

wepc certainly I'D logical grounds for
his vague fears. Still there was the
haunting possibility that the bishop
might raise objections Remote this
possibility was. To Ice sure, but none the
less potent. Van Ruyycn remembered
the time there had been case pending
against him IN the courts. II was sill
~ ease. trumpcd up by an ambulance
chaser. His lawyer had told him from
the first II was nothing to worry about
And yet he had been more or less dis
turbed until The jury had brought In It's
verdict In his favor. Ills position now
as he mounted the stairs In the wake
Of the solemn butler seemed analogous
At the head of the stairs the butler
drew aside the leather porticre. and
Van Ruyvcn entered the big. dim
study \ fire cracked chccrfully upon
the hearth and sent fickcring shadows
dancing up and down the rows upon
rows of books. Near 10y green shaded
lamp threw soft light upon n table
Uttered with books and papers.
As Van liuyvcn crossed the threshold
fine figure Of man rose from his
seat by the table and came forward
with outStrctchcd hand.
arthur. I'm glad 10 see you" said
the bishop, with smile that left no
doubt as 10 the sincerity Of his words
"Sit down here by the fire and give an
"a Of I Ynt.Ga.If la
luck that you take the trouble 10 come
up here To see me when Edith IS In the
house.
He drew two comfortable chairs be-
fore the fire and motloncd Van Ruyven
TO one of them.
'Now. then. what sort of absolution
do you want this time?" the bishop
went on lightly, "or perhaps you came
up here because you knew I'd let you
smoke"
Van RuyVen smiled. Thanks. | will
smoke II you don't mind" he said.
drawing out his cigar ease He selected
cigar with MS much care as If the
fate of nm empire hung upon his choice,
clipped the end and slowly lighted It.
He smoked abstractedly for moment
or two before he turned to the bishop.
''Thc fact is" Van Ruyven began, II
have come to you tonight with a very
delicate mission"
An | see The bishops words
were formal. noncommittal. but his
clean shavcn. kindly face lighted up
with smile Of understanding and
there was Il hint of mischief In the
gray eyes Van Ruyven was looking
into III" fire again He pulfed nervous
~ AT the cigar
"And this delicate mlssion?" the bish
on suggested mildly.
81 came. sir" said Van Ruyvcn,
speaking very slowly. ito ask you II
you would have any objections To me
ms as Edith'S husband that is" he
amended quickly III Edith herself has
no objections. You see, haven't ascer-
tanned that MS yet
The bishop Strengthened himself in
his chair With his broad shoulders
and his iron gray hair he was decld-
eddy imposing man. Just now he re
gardcd his guest with an odd express
sion. half of affection. half of amuse
ment
so you came Ia me first" he said
quietly. Father n rare procedure In
these degenerate days. You show n
delicate Difference. sir. to certain ideas
that Inherit from my ancestry on the
other side of the Mason and Dixon line
think | shall have 10 index you as Il
master tactician." he ended playfully.
"Thcn you have no objections in the
natter" asked Van Ruyven.
BLESS my soul no. laughed the blsh-
op. "and If | read Edith rightly she has
none either
He leaned forward in his chair and
regarded the younger man lntently.
His face became suddenly grave.
There is something about Edith.
however, that must contide 10 you"
he said something that no one alive
knows save /. myself. UnGer the cir
cumstances, Arthur, you should know
II too. disclose II under the seal Of
tAc confessional as something you must
never mention NJ any time nor under
any NAltfNN-
Van Ruyven bent his head slowly In
acknowledgment of his obligation.
edith" said the bishop very gently,
M II even the confession of II cost him
u pang. lis not my own child"
Van Ruyvcn sat NJ in surprise, Not
your childf' he repeated lncredulously.
NO" said the bishop. Years ago.
when was IN charge Of n very humble
country parish. she was left on the
steps OF the rectory one night. tiny
mite wrapped In an old horse blanket.
We Intended ut first 10 send her To an
asylum. hut there was something
about those big dark eyes and those
tiny arms even then that cried ont 10
us You know there We're never any
children of our own. and she came Ia
M the vacant niche IN our lives" He
paused moment and smiled rcmlnis-
Gently. 81 thought you ought TO know
of this even r.
"My dear bishop" Van Ruyven inter.
ruptcd II doubt n she could have been
really more yours had she been born TO
you. Why. she has your ideas and your
traits She even hnS VOur ppnetrnflnE