Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1906-03-29
unto One of the
Least Of These"
Bu RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
Copyriyht, lgot, bg Ruby Douglas
copmtyht, lgos, BY Ruby Douglas

the wide stairs, inwardly amused at his
own trepidation. 1t was most absurd,
he told himself. for Il man to feel as he
lid under these circumstances. There
were certainly no logical grounds for
his vague fears Still there was the
haunting possibility that the bishop
might raise objections. Remote this
possibility was, to be sure, but none the
less potent. Van Ruyven remembered
the time there had been a case pending
against him in the courts. 1t was sill
" case, trumped up by an ambulance
chaser. His lawyer had told him from
the first it 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. 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 upon
the hearth and sent flickering shadows
dancing up and down the rows upon
rows of books Near by green shaded
lamp threw soft light upon a table
Uttered with books and papers.
As Van Ruyven crossed the threshold
| n fine figure OF man rose from his
seat by the table and came forward
with outstretched hand.
Arthur. I'm glad to see you" said
| the bishop. with n smile that left no
doubt as to the sincerity of his words
| "Sit down here by the fire and give an
account of yourself | count myself in
| luck that you take the trouble TO come
| uD here to see me when Edith Is In the
| house"
| He drew two comfortable chairs be
| fore the fire and motioned 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 case. He selected
| a cigar with as much care as II the
| fate of an empire hung upon his choice.
| clipped the end and slowly lighted 1t.
! He smoked ahstractedly for moment
! or two before he turned to the bishop
THE fact is" Van Ruyven began. II
have come to you tonight with a very
| delicate mission"
"Ah. | see" The bishops words
were formal nonCommittal. but his
clean shayen. kindly face lighted up
with a smile of understanding and
/ there was hint of mischief In the
gray eyes Van Ruyven was looking
! into the fire again. He puffed nervous
! ly nj III" "igar.
"And this delicate miSSion:' the bsh-
op suggested mildly
"I cnme. sir" said Van Ruyven.
! speaking very slowly TO ask you #
| you would have any objections 10 me
as-a> Editl'S husband that Is" he
amended quickly. If Edith herself has
no objections You see, haven't ascer-
! tanned that as yet"
The bishop Strengthened himself in
| his chair. With his broad shoulders
and his Iron gray hair he was a decid
edly imposing man Just now he re
| garded his guest with an odd express
sion. half OF affection half OF amuse-
| ment.
so you came TO me first" he said
| quietly Rather a rare procedure In
these degenerate days. You show a
| 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 tactlcian." he ended playfully.
Then you have no objections in the
matter?" asked Van Ruyven.
Bless my soul, no" laughed the bish
op. and If read Edith rightly she has
none either"
He leaned forward in his chair and
regarded the younger man utently.
His face became suddenly grave.
There is something about Edith,
| however. that ] must contde 10 you
he said. something that no one alive
knows save |. myself Under the cir
cumstances. Arthur, you should know
1t too. | disclose II under the seal Of
tne confessional az something you must
| never mention at any time nor under
any stress
Van Ruyyen bent his head slowly In
acknowledgement of his obligation.
Edith" said the bishop very gently
as II even the confession Of It cost him
pang, "is not my own child
Van Ruyven sat up in surprise. Not
your childT' he repeated inCredulously.
mo" said tne bishop. Years ago,
when l was in charge Of a 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 Mt first TO send her to an
asylum, but there was something
about those big dark eyes and those
tiny arms even then that cried out to
us. You know there were never any
children OF our own and she came to
flll the vacant niche in our lives" He
| paused moment aud smiled remins-
Gently II thought you ought TO know
Of this. even if''-
"My dear hlShop." Van Ruyvcn inter
| rupted. Il douHt if She could have been
really more yours had she been born to
you. Why she has your ideas and your
traits. She oven has your penetrating
way of looking at ono"
81 don't think the accident OF her
birth hss mo very much difference
with her or ,r',L me-" the bishop said.
"My own dau.htyr could not have been
more 10 nc Arthur" The bishops
eyes were moist IN his earnestness
"She has never once disappointed me
Even her intentions seem to be mine"
|
There WAS a commOtion downstairs,
| then the sound Of footsteps on the pol
ishcd stairs and vigorous knock on
the Intel The portiere was whisked
aside and an excited maid came into
the room-so excited that she gave no
heed to Tn bishops frown Of mild re
| proDf al It.- uusppmly entrance