The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-03-08
"UntO One of the
Least Of These
Bu RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
Copyright, 1905, by Ruby Douglas

Van Ruyven followed the butler up
the wide stairs, inwardly amused at his
own trepidaton- It was most absurd,
he told himself, for a man to feel as ne
did 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 case pending
against him in the courts. It was sil-
" case, trumped up by an ambulance
chaser. His lawyer had told him from
the first It was nothing to worry about.
And yet be had been more or less dis
turbed 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 upon
the hearth and sent Pickering shadows
dancing up and down the rows upon
rows Of books. Near by green shaded
lamp threw a soft Light upon a table
Uttered with books and papers.
As Van Ruyven crossed the threshold
a fine figure Of man rose from his
seat by the table and came forward
with outsretched hand
ARTHUR, I'm glad to see you" said
the bishop, with a 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
up 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 timer" the bishop
went on lightly, "or perhaps you came
up here because you knew I'd let you
smoke"
Van Ruyven smiled. "Thanks, I will
smoke If you don't mind" he said.
drawing out his cigar case. BE selected
a cigar with as much care as II the
fate Of an 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.
'The fact is," Van Ruyven began, Il
have come to you tonight with very
delicate mission"
"Ah. see." The bishops words
were formal, noncommittal, but his
clean shaven, kindly face lighted up
with q smile Of understanding, and
there was a hint Of mischief in the
gray eyes. Van Ruyven was looking
into the fire again. he puffed nervous
ly at the cigar.
"And this delicate mission I" the bish-
op suggested mildly.
II came, SIR" said Van Ruyven,
speaking very slowly, Ito ask you If
you would have any objections to me
as-as Edith'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 decid-
edly imposing man. Just now he re.
garded his guest with an odd express
sion, half Of affection, half Of amuse-
ment.
$50 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 I inherit from my ancestry on the
other side Of the Mason and Dixon line
I think shall have to index you as a
master tactician," 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 intentfy.
His face became suddenly grave.
There is something about Edith,
however, that I must conflde to you"
he said, something that no one alive
knows save I, myself. Under the cir
cumstances, Arthur, you should know
it too. I disclose it under the seal Of
tie confessional as something you must
never mention at any time nor under
any Stress"
Van Ruyven bent his head slowly in
acknowledgment Of his obligation.
Edith" said the bishop very gently,
as If even the confession Of it cost him
a pang, rs not my own child"
Van Ruyven sat up in surprise. "Not
your childy' he repeated incredulously.
NO. said the bishop. Years ago,
when was in charge Of very humble
country parish, she was left on the
steps Of the rectory one night, a tiny
mite, wrapped in an old horse blanket
We intended at 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