Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-03

that's dreadful funny-on the other Teller"
he said as he shouldered the box and
started for the parsons study.
There was no one there. The door stood
ajar, as II 1t let in some Of the faint au-
tumnal sunshine. in lieu of other heat.
Vaughan was saving his fuel for the ex-
IRENE weather promised later. For the SUM-
day services and the mid-week meeting he
kindled fire in one of the big black stoves
near the door. But the corner where It
! stood was discouragingly remote. The study
partook but little of its beneficent glow; the
bedroom, still farther away, was beyond
hope. From the Paiutis who had encamped
on the hill behind the church he obtained
pair of heavy blankets for his bed and did
not suffer at night During the day. when
ne studied and wrote, he broke away from
his desk every now and then, to walk up
and down and swing his arms.
Shed slowly whirled himself around in
the Office chair and made inward COM
ments:
'Colder'n charity"
Darker II the graver
Not a damn picture in the placer
Sheds big handsome house was full of
pictures, warm as summer and there were
plants in the windows and a canary.
1T beats Hannah Cook
This was the final word with Shed. When
thing beat Hannah Cook there was no
more to he said.
BY gum, I'll take the darned thing
back he said to himself, and tell the
boys I won't do 1t. But Poole would jump
IL
Hullo, there he comesi"
Vaughan entered eagerly. He was full OF
confidence these days Wherever he had
lectured people had been kind to him. The
attendance had been good at the church
services and there had been sociables, not
yielding concessions to those who desired
to drink and dance. but offering attractions
or their own Jack had made lemonade.
without a stick a barrelful each time,
and had offered II his donation, and
there had been songs and games.
Every day the young preacher felt that
he drew nearer to his followers and that
they drew nearer to him. He did not know
1t was cold and dark in the study. Nor
did he hold the absence of ornament
lack, as did his visitor. The austerity of
his surroundings. IL he had considered 1t,
would have struck him as much more de-
sirable than the equipment of the ranch
mans gaudy home on Richmond HILL 1t
was with no discrimination against his own
poverty in comparison with the others
wealth but quite the reverse that ne well
coined the cattle magnate- He inquired TOT
Mrs Wellman and for Tom and the little
Maud talked of church matters of the af-
fairs of the town and looked at the box.
Some of the boys of the s. L. c. Shed
began, nervously untying his bundle,
Thought 'twoud be a good joke to send
you this-on-on account of your titles, you
know. They thought you were tryin' to
fool 'em. They took ft as kind Of
stump
With the most incongruous solemnity he
handed over the medal. With correspond
ing gravity Vaughan received 1t. There
was an ominous pause.
Finally Vaughan laid the thing on his
desk.
You know it's considered a great COM
pliment round here to be called a good
liar" Shed tried to speak lightly.
'IndeedT' returned the parson. with a
lift of the eyebrow. They'd better make
sure first that I'd lied. Why didn't they
write to England and ascertain whether I
had right to these-tities?"
They have. At least Barker was going
to- Shed made haste to rejoin. But they
couldn't wait"
II see." said Vaughan, again taking up
the medal and putting IL back into the box
they've heard"
''And SO I come away feeling like blam-
Jam idiot" Shed declared to Pitcher whom
he found alone in the store few minutes
later. where's PooleT"
Gone out"
We'll, you tell him when he comes IN.
with my compliments. that he's made an
ass OF himself" message promptly de-
livered by Pitcher.
"oh. he did say was an ass, did hep re-
joined Poole.
Now don't get mad" said Pitcher
Il am mad" said Poole. and he grew
madder, not with Shed. singularly enough.
but with the parson.
i've wanted to smash his face ever since
he come TO Eureka, he confessed to Pilch-
er; and Pitcher looked. as he felt SYM
pathetic He, too, was unprepared, by
temperament and education, to resist an
impulse of this kind.
When Vaughn passed the store on his
way to the post Office, as was his CUSTOM
late that afternoon, Pitcher was on the
steps and accosted him. why don't you
call in, some time when you're goin' byf"
he inquired affably.
81 will," replied Vaughan, who always
met friendly advances at least halfway.
you might stop when you come back,
suggested Pitcher.
III it's not too late I will" promised
Vaughan. When he returned he found
Pitcher still on the steps, and together
they entered the store.
Poole was leaning over the counter.
Beer takin a little exercise Pitcher and
me-" he youchsafed This sort o. weather