Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1906-05-24
"UntO One Of The Least Of These"

"UntO One Of The Least Of These"
Van Ruyven followed the butler up
the wide stairs, inwardly amused at
his own trepidation. 1t was most
absurd, he told himself, for man to
feel as he did under these circumstan-
ces. There were certainly no logical
grounds for his vague fears. Still,
there was the haunting possibility that
the bishop might raise objections-re-
mote this possibility was, to be sure,
but none the less potent. Van RuY-
ven remembered the time there had
been a case pending against him In the
courts. 1t was a silly case, trumped
up by an ambulance chaser. His law
yer had told him from the first it was
nothing to worry about. And yet he
had been more or less disturbed until
the jury had brought in its verdict in
his favor. His 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 portiere and
Van Ruyven entered the big, dim
study. A fire cracked cheerfully up
on the hearth and sent hickering shad-
ows dancing up and down the rows
upon rows OF books. Naarby a green
shaded lamp threw soft light upon
a table Uttered with books and papers.
AS Van Ruyven crossed the thres-
hold fne figure of man rose from
his seat by the table and came for.
ward with out-stretched hand.
Arthur, I'm glad 10 see you, said
the bishop with smile that left no
doubt as to the sincerity Of his words.
"Sit down here by the fire and give
an account OF yourself. l count my
self in luck that you take the trou'
bic to come up here to see me when
Edith is in the house."
He drew two comfortable chairs be-
fore the fire and motioned Van Ray
ven 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 | d
let you smoke"
Van Ruyven smiled. Thanks; l
will smoke if you don't mind, he said,
drawing out his cigar case. He se-
lected a cigar with as much care as If
the fate OF an empire hung upon his
choice, clipped the end and slowly
lighted it. He smoked abstractedly
Tor a moment or two before he turned
to the bishop.
The fact is" Van Ruyven began,
Il have come to you tonight with
very delightful mission
"Ah, see. The bishops words
were formal and noncommittal, but
his clean.shaven, kindly face lighted
up with smile Of understanding and
there was hint of mischief In the
gray eyes. Van RuyYen was looking
into the fire again. He pufed nerv-
ously at the cigar.
"And this delicate mission ?" the
bishop suggested mildly.
Il came, sir, said Van Ruyven.
speaking very slowly, "to ask you if
you world have any objections to me
as-as Edith's husband. That is, he
amended quickly, "if Edith herself
has no objections. You see, l haven't
ascertained that as yet.
The bishop Strengthened himself in
his chair. With his broad shoulders
and bis iron-gray hair he was decid-
edly imposing man. Just now ne re-
garded his guest with an odd express
sion, half Of affection, half of amuse-
ment.
$50 you came to me fret" he said
quietly. Rather rare procedure IN
these degenerate days. You show
delicate Difference, sir, to certain ideas
that inherit from my ancestry on the
other side of the Mason and Dixon
line. / think / shall have TO index
you as master tactician," he ended
playfully.
"Then you have no objections in
the matter?" asked Van Ruyven.
"Bless my soul, nc" laughed the
bishop, '.and if l read Edith rightly