The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-23
- Yon1 3 WI. b.
RaEge Mcsseng
- nIINno0o 'Thc Guarded Famc,'
xxxxx xCA/o Copyright, 1907 by
Fights

passed a hand across bis eyes. and then
stamped on faster to the gate Of tho
old tennis ground. He was trying to
shake off the past: strong men should
think only of the present and tho fi,-
ture. he had work before i1inl.--ycnrs
Of work---enough to occupy all one'a
thought. He would think only OF Ills
appointed task
Tho clubhorac---thc property of the
tnenbsr--llnd been pulled down and
removed; sold ms old material for u
few shillings more than the cost OF
icartage. Tho long grass on tho tennis
lawns was white with frost; tile wire
/ fences were broken where they had
not been knocked over; two basket
Mt tho mercy OF the weather.; dcsola-
tlon and ruin were all one could soc
on the spot where polite society had
once gathered TO laugh and play to-
gethcr, or to deride and scott at their
Interiors outside the gates. Crundcn,
now lord and master, looked down from,
here at his wide domain. The new fin
islied roads were clean and bright, witt,
the new granite curbs and channels
flashing and sparkling In the frosty
sunlight. Thousands of shining sovcr-
cigns had gone to the making OF them
they might well glitter to show
where the gold lay buried. Far below
him the slate roofs OF his new cottages
, caught the light and reflected I. duly.
Nearer to him. above the completed
roads. were road sections laid on either
hand. but as yet waiting attention
merely the turf stripped off. earth dug
and carted, the track just barrelled.
and left to wait for its six incheB cs
brick rubbish, it's four inches OK coarse
ballast. Its two inches of fine ballast.
for surface drains, for main sewer. for
Its c,,rbinss. channelllngs. IT'S gravel
path. it's everything. And In all drec-
tons, I'll over the domain near and far.
were the corner pegs of good sound
pine to mark boundaries of all tho
plots wherein houses would one dag
be built. I; was a noble slice Of Gree
hold land for It's owner 10 look down
upon, building estate of which cven
Il big company might be proud; stretch.
ing away in the frosty sunlight. II
seemed tremendous space TO get co.,
cred within five years even IL things
went smoothly.
Far oft there We're men and wagons.
piles OF cases. an untidy litter. and the
bare poles OF the tent to remind him
of Saturdays wasted money. T!e would
be glad when Gr!ggs and Drake had
cleared away all their mess. and To
should be able to forget the adventure.
The depression that must follow after
disappointment was heavy upon him as
lie walked forward To-day he could
rot hold his thoughts to business mat
ters. They had wandered again from
the great task, and he was thinking.
now OF the young man. his clerk.
Presently. as he thought OF his clerk.
he smiled. He stopped short. brought
his heels together. took his hands from
his pockets. and drew back his shou'-
ders and stood straight and firm. That
was his attitude. The memory OF it
made him smile.
Poor Dick. when upbraided. used to
sit slouch!ng with his hands In his
pockcts--never look you in the face.
just stare at the ceiling. Afterwards
he would suIk-never ask you in
friendly way to let bygones be by
cones. Crunden frowned again as he
thought of 1t.
AS between pals" That was
thing poor Dick would never have said.
But of course no meaning in 1t really.
Gammon! Just your fine gentleman
trick of pleasant speech. Words chosen
for the sound OF them. not for the
sense IN them-but words chosen With
such skill some times that they are
music to the ear and comfort to the
heart.
"As between good pals:"