The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-04


and. singing softly to herself, left the
study and went into the dnningroom
to see that the table looked inviting for
the coming meal
About seven o'clock Gorge arrived
| and soon afterwards the three sat down
to dine. 1t was simple meal, some fish,
cold beef, and pudding, with a bottle
OF beer for the curate and a glass Of
claret for the vicar. Tho housemaid
did not walt upon them for they found
the meal more intimate and enjoyable
without her.
I've got some news" said Gortre.
The great question of domicile Is setu-
ed. You know there Is no room In the
clergy-house ut st. Mary's Moreover,
Father Ripon thought 1t well that /
should live outside. he wanted one of
the assistant clergy. at least to be in
constant touch with lay Influences, he
said when 1 saw him
What have you arranged, dear?"
said Helena.
he answered. my first thought was
1t would be near st. Mary's and the
schools. Then 1 thought of chambers in
one of the Inns of Court. AT any rate
wrote TO Harold Spence TO ask his
advice. He was at Merton with me.
you know, lived on the same staircase
in stubbins. and is just one of the best
fellows in the world. We haven't cor
responded much during the last three
years, but knew a letter to the New
Oxford and Cambridge would always
find him. So 1 wrote up. He's been
University Extension lecturing for
time. you know, and writing too. Now
he tells me that he is writing leaders
for the Daily Wire and doing very we'll
Ill read you what he says"
Ha took n letfpr from, of ,yIop
ed down 1T for the paragraph he wanted.
and began to read:
AN L am delighted to hear
that you have at last made up your mind
to leave the North country and have
accepted this London curacy. I asked
Marsh. our ecclesiastical editor. about
st. Mary's last night. He tells me that
1t is a centre OF very important Church
work. and has some political and social
influence. OF all the 'ritualistic' parishes
Il use the word as a convenient label
1t Is thought to be the sanest Here
you will have real chance. know
something of the North. and came in
contact with all sorts and conditions
of people when I was featuring on the
Manchester for the Extension. They
are not the people for you to succeed with
either socially or from clergyman's
point OF view--at least, that's my opin-
ion, old man. You ask me about rooms
have proposal to make to you in
this regard. am now living in Lincoln's
Inn with man named Hands-Cyril
Hands. You may know his name. He
Is great archaeologist. was q young
Cambridge professor. For three years
now Ii, has been working rr The Pales-
tine Exploring Society. He Is in charge
of all the excavations now proceeding
near Jerusalem. and constantly making
new and valuable Biblical discoveries
The vicar broke in upon the reading,
"Hands!" he said; "a most distinguished
mani His work is daily adding to our
knowledge In marvellous way He
has Just recently discovered some i'm
portant inscriptions at El-Edhamiyeh-
Jeremiah's grotto, you know, the place
which is thought may be Golgotha you
know. But go on, I'm sorry to inter-
rupt."
Gortre continued:
Hands is only at home for three
months in the year, when he comes to
the annual meeting of the Society and
recuperates at the seaside. His rooms,
however, are always kept for him. The
chambers we have are old-fashioned but
very large. There are three big bed
|.rooms. a huge sitting-room, two smaller
rooms and a sort OF kitchen, all inside
the one oak. have bedroom and one
small room where I write. Hands has
only one bedroom and hses the big
general room. Now II you care to come
and take up your abode in the Inn with
us, can only say you will be heartily
welcome. Your share of the expenses
would be less than If you lived alone In
rooms as you propose, and you would
be far more comfortable. You could
have your study to work In. Our lnun-
dress is nearly always about. and there
is altogether pleasant suggestion Of
Oxford and the old days in tho life we
lead, or course / need hardly tell you
that we are very quiet and quite un-
troubled by any of the rowdy people,
all Of whom live away from our court
altogether. You would be only five min
utes' walk from st. Mary.s. What do
YOU think of the Idea? Let me know
and will give you all further details
/ hope you will decide on joining US, I
should find 1t most pleasant.-Esver
yours, jG
HAROLD 5A1AsTERMAN SPENCE"
"An extremely genial letter." said the
vicar 81 suppose you'll accept. Basil?
lit will be pleasant TO be with friends
like that"
isn't it Just little, well. bacheor?"
, said Helena rather nervously.
Gortre smiled at the question.
"No, dear he said, Il don't think
you need be afraid. know the sort Of
visions you have Tho sort OF thing In
Pendennis, isn't 1t? Tho boy sent out
for beer to the nearest public house.
and breakfast at twelve In the morning,
cooked In the sitting-room You don't
know Harold. He is quite bourgeois In
his habits. despite his intellect, hates
a middle. always dresses extremely we'll
ana goes to church like any married
man, Flo was great friend of tho
Pussy House people at Oxford"
1.-THE days when you couldn't be genius
without being dirty are gone" said the
vicar. II am glad OF It. was staying
at st. Ives last summer. where there Is
quito an artistic settlement. All the
painters carried golf-clubs and looked
like professional athletes. They drink
Bohen In Bohemia now" Il
Gortre talked little about his plans
for the future. He had a sympathetic
audience. During the four years of his
curacy at Walktown he had become
very dear to Mr. Byars. He had arrived
in the North from Oxford, after a year
at Iitchtleld Theological College. just
= SAT- 80 I