Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-24

however. the heavy lids dropped. lazily
good humored. He read Mrs. Riches
letter and tapped the edge of his desk
with strong, white fingers.
Nothing could be better he said.
Then suddenly he decided that he would
go to Old Chester and say SO in person
II suppose 1 ought to go. anyhow:
haven't been there for six weeks Yes
this child is just what she needs.''
And that was how it came about that
when he went home he pulled his daugh-
ter Alice's pretty ear and said he was
going away that night Il shall take
the 10 o'clock train he said.
His girl-a pleasant, fower-like young
creature-scolded him affectionately. II
wish you wouldn't take SO many jour
neys. Promise to be careful: 1 worry
about you when I'm not with you to take
care of you" she said. in her sweet. anx-
ious young voice. Her father. smiling
promised prudence, and for the mere joy
Of watching her let her pack his bag
lecturing him as she did so about his
health. Now that you have undertaken
all this extra business of the Pryor-Barr
people. you owe 1t to your stockholders
to be careful of your health" she told
him. refusing to notice his smile when he
solemnly agreed with her.
What would happen to the company if
anything happened to you?" she insisted
rubbing her soft cheek against his.
Ruin. of course"
But she would not laugh. And what
would happen TO me?
"Ah, WELL that's a different matter"
he admitted, and kissed her and babe her
be careful. What would happen to me
If anything happened to you?" he leased
She hung about him. brooding over him
like a little mother dove with hundred
cept to Mercer"
Well. yes: possibly"
"Where?"
ooh. to place called Old Chester"
who are you going to see there?"
Nobody you know. Gas-bag! I never
heard of such curiosity!''
"Ah, but 1 like to think about you
when you are away, and know just where
you are and what you are doing every
minute Of the time"
At which he laughed and kissed her. and
was off to take the night train for Mercer
which made 1t possible for him to catch
tire morning stage for Old Chester.
There was one other passenger in the
stage-a little boy with soft thatch of
straight. yellow hair that had been chop
ped short around the bowl of some do
mestic barber. He sat on the opposite
seat and held bundle in his arms. peer
ing out over the top of it with serious
blue eyes.
bound?" inquired Mr.. Pryor. When the
child said "Old Chester" Lloyd Pryor
tossed quarter out Of the window to a
hostler. and bade him go into the stage
house and buy an apple. Here. young
ster." he said, when the man handed it
upto him, take that. Keep the change.
my man"
When it did not involve any personal
Inconvenience Mr.. Lloyd Pryor had a
quick and cordial kindness which most
however. did not seem much impressed;
he took the apple .gravely and said.
THANK you, SIR" but he was not eff
fusive. He looked out of the window and
Rugged his bundle. Half way to Old
Chester he began to nibble the apple bit
ing it very slowly. so that he might not
make a noise. and thrusting it hack into
his pocket after each bite with an appre-
hensive glance at the gentleman in the
corner When he had finished IL. and
swallowed the core, he said. suddenly:
Mister. have you any little boys and
girls?"
His companion. who had quite forgotten
him, looked over the top Of his newspaper
say? Oh-boys and girls? Yes have a
girl" He smiled as he spoke.
us she as big as meN
Lloyd Pryor put down his paper and
twitched his glasses off. About twice
as big 1 should think" he said, kindly.
How old are you?"
I'm seven, going on eight"
Well. then. let's see. Alice is--she is
twice and five years more as old. What
w you udhS Ol That.
The child began to count on his fingers
and. after looking at him minute or two
with some amusement. Mr.. Pryor re-
turned to his paper. After a while the
boy said, suddenly. I'm the flood the
ducks couldn't be drowned could thew"
But Lloyd Pryor had become interested
in what he was reading. You talk too
much, young man.. he said coldly, ano
there was no further conversation. The
old stage logged along in the uncertain
I,
once he took a nap. While he slept the
little boy. looked at him furtively but by
and by he turned to the window, abb
sorbed in his own affairs.
AS the stage pulled into Old Chester
Mr. Pryor reused himself well my
boy, here we are" he said
The child quivered and his hands tight
ened on his bundle, but he said nothing.
When they drew up at the tavern there
was Danny and Goliath and DR.. Law
endar.
+ Mary gave me some gingerbread for
him" DR.. Lavendar was saying to Van
Horn. I've got 1t tied up in my hand
kerchief. Why" he interrupted himself.
screwing up his eyes and peering into the
dusk of the old coach-"why, / believe
here's Mrs. Riches brother too!''
AS the horses came to a standstill DR..
Lavendar was in quite flutter of eager
ness. But when the very little boy clam
bered out, the old minister only shook
hands with him. man fashion, with no
particular display of interest.
I'm glad to see you. David. I am DR..
Lavendar." Then he turned to say How
do you do?" to Mr.. Pryor. why, look
here" he added. in cheerful after
thought. I'm going up your way; get
out and come along in my buggy. Hey!
Danny! Stop your snarling. The scoun-
drers temper is getting bad In his old
age. Those snails Jonas drives can't
keep up with my trotter.''
But you have one passenger already"
Mr.. Pryor protested. I'll just go on up
in the stage, thank you"
oh" DR.. Lavendar said. "David's bun
die is the biggest part of him. isn't it.
David? Wen leave it. with Van Horn
and get it as we come back. Come along,
Mr.. Pryor. There, David, tuck yourself
down in front: Danny can tag behind"
There was. a moments hesitation, and
then Mr.. Pryor did as he was bid. DR..
Lavendar climbed in himself and off they
logged, while Jonas remarked to Van
Horn that the old gentleman wasn't just
the one to talk about snails. as he looked
sunshine chased over the hills by warm
cloud shadows and bursting into joy
again on the low meadows. reflected that
he had done we'll for himself in exchang-
ing the dark cavern of the stage for DR..
Lavendar's easy old buggy and the open
air. They stopped minute on the bridge
to look at the creek swollen by spring
rains; 1t was Juggling and tearing at the
branches that dipped into it, and heap
ing up rocking lines of yellow froth along
the banks.
I'm summer that's a fine place to
wade" DR.. Lavendar observed David