Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-09-22

John Richardson sat alone on the wide
veranda, looking over the stretch Of green
that sloped to the river. He was always
alone. There was futtering Of women's
dresses In and out Of the shrubbery. Boats
in which guests were disporting them
selves dotted the river. A big touring car
with more guests rolled noisily down the
road on the way to the golf links. Every
where were couples and groups, except on
the veranda, where the one figure sat
frowning and in silence. And all these
were guests, visiting at the invitation of
his son and Ethelberta, the young Mrs.
Richardson; but they ate his provisions,
slept under his roof, used his grounds and
vehicles. enjoyed the hospitality of his
home.
The table before him held a checker
board. checkers and glasses, but he was
t gazing beyond 1t moo1ily. Solitaire check
ers! 1t was well he had learned to play
this game. With wrathful gesture he
swept the pieces from him.
1t must cost me a hundred dollars
day to run this place." he said aloud, for
these ID people! Molly!'' he called per-
emptorily to maid returning with tray
of glasses recently emptied of ref. eshing
She came indifferently. "Well?"
Well is it?" he exclaimed in a tone
that made her jump SO as almost to drop
the glasses. bending upon her glare from
under his heavy brows. Send Miss Law
lor to me instantly"
Yes, SIR
The maid obeyed with uncommon alac-
rity, and presently Miss Lawlor stood be-
lore him, a capable, unassuming woman.
Gray was in her hair. but her face and
eyes were young.
Il do" he answered. How much is it
costing me to run this establishment these
| days?"
II will get my account book and let you
know"
She walked away noiselessly, and his
eyes followed her with grim respect. Here
was one person who knew the meaning OF
| an account book; knew where money went;
II not whence it came, and she did not
rattle in silken skirts. She returned
| quickly, and after moments figuring
| said:
1T has cost so far this season s. ,s462O
including expenses for yesterday"
You keep the book up to date, don't
| you he said. Sure it's right?"
with some dignity she replied: Il have
not been MANAGING your house for all this
time, Mr.. Richardson without learning
how to keep accounts"
Good! How long have we been here?
| figure it is thirty-two days.
She calculated. Eyes, thirty-two days"
Then It's more than hundred dollars
| day. he exclaimed, humping his fist
SO vigorously that the checkers went flying
| $4,000 year. At this rate how much
| is going to be left to pay the other bills?'
He continued in a calmer voice. I'm tired
OF this Miss Lawlor. mighty tired. It's
about time we cleared these parasites out.
They live ON me, and don't know I'm
| alive!'
The housekeeper's face expressed alarm,
then sympathy
TT is pretty lonesome for you, Mr.. Rich
ardson."
The human, sympathetic recognition
almost startled him, the first in years.
Ever since his wife had died, fourteen
years ago. he had lived practically alone;
his son in another atmosphere, his sons
wife unfnterested in him. Old friends he
en- to win her smiles. not purposely, but
| they were plain people, and little diff
dent about following up even long-stand-
Ing acquaintance when it had begun to
had been too busy to make. and many
time he regretted that he had ever been
satisfied and retired from money making
activity SO soon. But there were always
people around, and they all spent his
money. He had reflected a thousand
times in the past two years. when the
chafing began to be deep, that they all
spent his money
An appreciative light cleaned in his
eyes.
Miss Lawlor," he said, kindly, play
me game Of checkers"
She answered that she didn't know the
game
played?"
"oh, yes" she answered. but not since
twenty years ago, when played with my
father. have forgotten now"
You'll soon remember" he said. I'm
tired playing solitaire and drinking these
fool connections l almost wish some
times that I was drinking man. I might
get some pleasure out of that"
Miss Lawlor rose with some hesitation.
Thank you, Mr.. Richardson, but don't
think Ia better. There is SO much work
for me to superintend-
He interrupted her ironically. "Wor-
ried about earning your salary, are you:"
"Oh, no." she said, hastily; but that is
not what 1 am here for; and Mrs. Richard
He interrupted her almost savagely.
Il hired you, didn't I? It's my house you
are keeping, isn't it? ask you to play
me game of checkers"
Subdued. Miss Lawlor sat down. She
was not released at the end of the first
game, and by the second her spirits were
quite aroused. The moves were made
Check" she cried, gaily. and the word
almost froze as it passed her lips. for
coming up the steps of the piazza was
the younger Mrs. Richardson. her
preston m1ng1ing of surprise and dis
approval. Miss Lawlor rose hastily, scar
let with embarrassment. ..-,r
Il asked Miss Lawlor to play, Ethel
berta," said Mr. Richardson. ----a.
Lawlor, trust you have arranged to ac-
commodate Mr.. and Mrs. Elmepdorf, who
are to arrive this afternoon"
L have, Mrs. Richardson" she an
swered, and escaped into the house."
The young woman stood a minute, evil
IDENTIFY cogitating a remark. but as her
father-in-law advanced no word she
thought better Of it and went in
The next afternoon Miss Lawlor was
not to be found when he sent for her. And
consequently he had a scrawly note de-
1ivered. stating that part of her house
keeping duties would thereafter be to
play checkers every afternoon with him
until further notice. Miss Lawlor was
obedient and lost her timidity as they
were able to play undiscovered for sew
eral afternoons. Ethelberta had not come
upon them, possibly because she hap
pened to be amusing herself elsewhere,
chiefly because it did not occur to her
that her manifest displeasure would lie
incurred again. The hour between 8 and
OF every afternoon came to be the enc
Of enjoyment of his life, patiently to be
waited for all morning and pleasantly
emembered~ all the ensuing afternoon
and evening. Had Ethelberta but known,
it served rather as safety valve for the
Ill HzI