Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1906-03-23
One of the
Least of These
By RICHARD BARKER SHELTON
Copyright. 1905. by RUBY Douglas


AAN ~ N"N
wi trepldation. II was most absurd,
he told himself. FOR a man to feel as he
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 Ruyvcn remembered
the time there had been a case pending
against him In the courts. 1t was n sill
IL case, trumped up by an ambulance
chaser. His lawyer had told him from
the first 1t was nothing TO worry about.
And YET he had been more or less dis
turbed until the jury had brought in its
verdict in his favor. His position now
MS he mounted the stairs in the wake
Of the solemn butler seemed analogous.
Al the head OF the stairs the butler
drew aside the leather portlere, 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 a green shaded
lamp threw a soft llgh. upon n table
Uttered with books and papers.
As Van Ruyven crossed the threshold
n fine figure Of a man rose from his
seat by the table and came forward
with outstretched hand.
ARTHUR. I'm glad to sec 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. 1 count myself in
luck that you take the trouble to come
up here TO sec 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 dissolution
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, 1 will
smoke IL you don't mind" he said,
drawing out his cigar case. He selected
a cigar with as much chre as If the
fate Of an empire hung upon his choice,
clipped the end and slowly lighted it.
He smoked abstractedly for a moment
or two before he turned to the bishop.
''The fact is" Van Ruyven began. 81
have come to you tonight with a very
delicate mission"
"Ah, l see" The bishops words
were formal. noncommittal. but his
clean shaven, kindly face lighted NJ
with a smile of understanding. and
there was u hint of mischief in the
gray eyes. Van Ruyven was looking
into the fire again. He pulled nervous
" ut the cigar.
"And this delicate misslon?" the bish
op suggested mildly.
81 came, sir" said Van Ruyven
speaking very slowly, 'to ask you II
you would have any objections to mC
as-as Edith's husband-that Is" he
amended quickly, "if Edith herself Ia:
no objections. You see, l haven't ascer
tanned that as yet"
The bishop Strengthened himself II
his chair. with his broad shoulders
and his iron gray hair he was n decid
edly imposing man, Just now he re
garded his guest with an odd expires
sion. half of affection, half Of amuse
ment.
$50 you came to me first" he sale
quietly. Rather n rare procedure IL
these degenerate days. You show
delicate Difference, sir, to certain ideai
that l inherit from my ancestry on thu
other side of the Mason and Dixon line
/ think / shall have to index you as
master tactlcian," he ended p~layfully.
''Then you have nc objections in thu
matter?" asked Van Ruyven.
"Bless my soul, no" laughed the Dish
op, land II / read Edith rightly she hal
none either"
He leaned forward In his chair anC
regarded the younger man intently
His face became suddenly grave.
There is something about Edith
however, that / must confde to you,
he said. something that no n alive
knows save !, myself. Under the cir
eumstances, Arthur, you should know
It too. l disclose II under the seal Of
tae confessional as something you mus
never mention at any time nor under
any stress"
Van Ruyven bent his head slowly II
acknowledgment OF his obligation.
Edith" said the bishop very gently
as II even the confession OF It cost hin
n pang, els not my own child"
Van Ruyven sat up In surprise. "No
your chlld?' be repeated i~ncredulously
mo" said the bishop. years ago
when / was in charge Of a very humble
country parish, she was left on TIA
steps OF the rectory one night, a tin!
mite. wrapped in an old horse blanket
w intended at first to send her to al
asylum. but there was something
about those big dark eyes and tho
tiny arms even then that cried nj t
us. You know there were never an,
children OF our own, and she came I
MI the vacant niche in our lives" IL
paused a moment and smiled remlnis
Gently. II thought you ought TO know
Of this. even if"-
my dear bishop" Van Ruyven inter
rupted, Il doubt II she could have beel
really more yours had she been born L
you. why. she has your ideas and you