Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-01

and he will give. such notice in the press
as he thinks discreet and proper"
We can trust Mr.. 'ope,' said Council
Yes" said Alderman Hopkins, Were
| safe with Mr.. 'Ope"
Exactly: said Sir John. I'VE may
| give all our thoughts freely"
People were still coming in. Short an
neunced in quick succession. Mrs Ridg
worth. Mr.. Osborn. MIR. Rogers. Sir John
looked at his watch. made his way to the
! table, and seated himself in the chair
mans place.
Can you tell me-" said Mr. Eaton. the
solicitor. loudly and distinctly to a neigh
Dor, who is to be in the chair?"
Sir John rose hastily, and moved away
from the table
Gentlemen" he said. Ladies and Gem
tlemen. Our first duty must be to elect
chairman. l have called you together
but" and he looked round at his friends.
Ladies and gentlemen" said Mr.. Gar
rett suavely, II propose that Sir John
take the chair"
Il ave pleasure" said Councillor Hol-
land, lin seconding that proposal Then,
glancing at the show of hands: Carried.
l think"
Unanimously" said Mr.. Garrett.
THANK you" and Sir John went back
TO the chairman's place and stood by it.
Now. if you will be stated" and he
pulled out his watch again. "A quarter to
4! But / think we should give little law
before getting to work.
DIR. Blake" announced Short.
Come to the table, DIR. Blake. AS l
was saying. we will give five minutes law.
and meantime / will ask you to examine
the detailed plan-and l will read you one
or two letters
Mr.. Crunden--and Miss Crunden"
"Ah. how do Crunien. Very glad to
see you here" and Sir John, turning,
bowed politely to Miss Crundan; and then
sat down.
The ladies We're now all established on
the seats allotted to them. No chair was
vacant for Miss Crunden in this part of
the room. She stood near the Hi. Rise
g1rls-near them but not of them-embar-
raised. hesitatng. while her father work
ed himself through the seated men, Her
face was tanned by Cornish air and sum-
but she blushed through the sunburn as
Lady Vincent spoke to her.
I'VE are pleased. said Lady Vincent
graciously. but showing some surprise
to see you also, Miss Crunden. So good
or you to take an interest"
on, Miss Crunden,' said Miss Amen
dale, drawing. us that you? 1 didn't
recognize you-for the moment-not en-
pecting to see you here"
Quite monster meeting, isn't it?" said
Miss Granville.
But at this moment, while Sir John
opened more letters brought in by Short,
the attention of the Hill Rise young la
dies was diverted from Miss Crunden to
a parsonage of the highest social distinc-
had changed his clothes. He was now in
a blue serge suit but he still wore his
dress pumps. He had not been able to
change these, because he had omitted to
in the coal box.
"Mr. .incent." called one of the Hill
Rise girls. Come and sit by u.s."
do, Mr.. Vincent" called another.
er gravely at them. II should spoil the
picture. You all look so nice"
Nonsense" said Miss Annendale. This
is the ladies' gallery: but you may come II
Then Mr.. Jack did come across the
room; but to the unmitigated disgust of
the young ladies, 1t was only to talk to
Miss Crunden.
leaning forward in her chair. well make
room for you. You won't spoil the pic
ture."
But Mr.. Vincent had turned his broad
back to the ladies' gallery, and ne chose
henceforth to ignore It, Perhaps, rem
dered thoughtful by recent disclosures, he
was not in a mood for bandinage
with the best society or perhaps he
quickly understood that poor Miss Crun-
den was being snubbed because she had
once more pushed herself where she was
not expected, and as quickly determined
that she should be given all his smiles to
console her for the cold looks Of others.
Miss Lizzie!' he cried, and Miss Lizzie
don't you know me-? Won't you Anow
me?' and she was obliged, very shyly, to
shake hands with him. Where are you
going to sit? How jolly-your coming
MY father forced me to come. u,dn't
want to come
Miss Lizzie was painfully constrained
and nervous in manner.
You didn't know" said Jack, smiling
now gaily, you were going to meet me
real old friend-and old playmate" and
he looked at the ladies' gallery without
seeming to see it.
Let me find you a seat, and let me have
the honor and the pleasure-of sitting by
you. We can talk about old times-in the
intervals of business There and he nod
ded, "over there, We can be out of every
bodys way
Then he steared Miss Crunden over to
the other side of the room, where her
father was standing. and grimly beckon-
ing to her. BY the weight of Jacks per-
sonal prestige, chairs were somehow pro-
cured for the three of them
do you remember our games?"
Mr.. Jack had said he would talk in the
intervals Of business but he talked. or
whispered confidentialIy, even when his
papa was reciting momentouS letters. Mr..
Crunden frowned upon him: Miss .runden
answered him shyly, hesitatingly, coldly;
but still for little while he talked.
Miss Lizzie-remember our games in
the garden?"
II am afraid have forgotten all about
It,"
No? You were the pirates wife, was
the pirate-and poor old Dick was the
royal navy"
WAS hep
you remember our acting? Don't say
you've forgotten that famous drama. I
began with hand upon his heart"
and Jack suited the action to the words
{" Madam. to you l humbly bow and
bend That was your cue. Don't you
remember"
1T was so long ago. I'm afraid I've
quite forgotten
Flows old What s-her-name?' whisper
ed Jack. Hope she's going strong.
Pricey! How's Pricey-Pricey?"
But here Jacks whisper. together with
the chairmans recital. was drowned by
unseemly noise from the background OF
the audience. 1t was apparent now that
the less important people in front of the
windows had come for amusement as
much as for business. There was a
slight disposition to tumult caused by the
selfish efforts of young Mr.. Padfeld. who
had squeezed in at the window, and was
seeking to secure lofty perch for HIM
self by sitting on the back of chair
'"Ere-'old ard. Thank you for moth
ing
"All right. Others want to see same as
you. Push i'm over"
From this point the business of the
meeting suffered from occasional noise.
Loud voices several times interrupted
nd nd bel inf