The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-04
Copyright, 1907. BY ". 3. Maxwell. All Rights Reserved.

was something Visible, palpabie, far
%reaahing, all-%snlbraclns. IT had spread
out over her md smiling Jack; II
had stretched forth iiko d dull veii ali
over the town Of Medford. 1he sum
light seemed weak and clleerless; as ~
shining through mist: the flag on the
top OF the White Hart Hotel had lost
Its gaiety and bright color: the zine
dome OF selkirk's big drapery estab.
lishment looked ugly and ominous; the
brick tower OF the brewery, rising
above tile slate roofs near the river.
was din and vague and terrible. Be-
hind her tho dry caves from. the wall
nut trees fell or stirred on the path,
with a faint cracking sound. It wa
the saddestr and most silent autumn
day thai she had ever known.
Presently Mrs. Crundcn, coming .
little way down the garden from the
house. called TO Dick. She wanted to
speak to hin, 1t appeared. confidential.
|ly. Dick went to siiis mothers call, and
sullcnly. with hands In pockets, walked
By her side to the house.
Thcn Lizzie told Jack of her pain
She sat on Jacks knee. and. with he1
arms round his neck, sobbed out al
ire trouble.
And. and I don't wan to 60 "a
school. I shall die II I am sent away"
"oh, no. said Jack. You'll like
lit-atter a bit"
Never" sobbed Lizzie. .But I must
go because Mrs. Price says It makes
mother unhappy. And, oh. I am so uu-
happy. Q Jack-can't o help usg"
What can ! dog said Jack. ia do
anything in the world for my little
sweetheart"
You do really love us7',. sobbed Liz.
zie. That's not make believ-. ik it?''
"Of course tt-isn't.".
Mr.. Jack strokcd her soft hair; with
his SILK handkerchief dried her wet
eyes: with kind, consoling words en-.
~deavoured TO bring her ease OF mind.
She was IN fact easier fo- his synapA.
thy: and. ere Dick Joined them again.
a smile OF hope fllckered about Tier
trembling lips and through the final
i~nstalment OF her tears.
II would do anything said Jack fer.
vently. FOR you and poor old Dick"
Would you?' said Lizzie.
yes, my little sweetheart"
Then, will you marrylme when Tn
grownup? I'D like to know we were
going TO be married when 1 am grown
up"
This proposal mode Jack laugh. but
he Immediately promised TO do what
vas asked.
All right. II you grow up quick
enough, l Will
Further discussion OF this grand plan
was prevented by the return of Dick.
His was a most ungrateful and embar-
raising task. Father was expected to
be home for tea. and Mrs. Crunden had.
reason to apprehend that IL father
found Mr.. Jack here. he would be up
set-ihht. forgetting the avs OF polite
ness and the Difference which habitual-
Is be paid TO high social position. he
might even invite the illustrious5 visitor
to cease honortng the house with
visits. Father vas firmly persuaded
that the friendship OF this young
prince had q large share In unscttling
Dick and rendering him averse to hon
est toll
$50 l." said Dick. flushing lndignant-
ly II with gloomy scoyn for his par
lent, Am commissioned to ask you to
go. . . There's manners for you. They
may we'll call him Hedgehog SCrun-
den."
MIR. Jack, picking up his straw hat
and putting away his pipe and pouch.
reprovcd Dick for sneering ut his
father. He quite Understood Mr.. Crun-
denis feelings; he was not-in the least
orfendcd.
Your Guv'nor,'' he said, things j put
you of your work. That's why he bars
me. . . But you might tell him, old
cftap, that u rave given YOU the best
ADVICE i could" and he got up and
stretched himself. "a have. haven't Il?
Though I'm sttch n lazy beggar myself.
| know works a good thing. I admire
II, IL / don't do it." and lie smiled at
Dick and cfapped him on the shoulder.
Take my tip, old boy; make IL up with
your Guy'nor, n %drop--you know
what And sniltngly, but very kind
~. he babe adieu TO Dicks little sister,
"Good-bye, Miss Lizzie" and he kiss
ed her, we shan't meet again now
because we are both wanted at school"
And that was the end OF his last ylsls
Then came tragedy.
II was only a few nights atterwards.
Dick wa out. at supper time. Father
waited supper for Dick: would not let
them start the meal till half an hour
had slowly dragged by. Then the
silent meal began in heay gloom.
Mammals a & was white and sad; her
eyes were ever on the door; Mrs. Price
trance, was t~rotting down the road to
look for Dick.
To-day Dick had returned to tha
Yard, a been given ]is other chance.
iTo-night. as mamma knew, his father
had wished to speak kindly to him. TO
put heart into him, to implore him to
Istick to 1t, shove his back into 1t. and
make them all proud of him. At the
friendly evening meal. In the piNtant
candlelight, there was to be reconcile
alton. drawing together of bonds, obltv-
ion for past offence, affectIonate trust
In future peace. That was the pros
grarnmc; and Dick had missed his cue.
had failed to appear when the curtain
had risen upon the homely little scene.
(Toa be Continued To-morrow.)