Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-24

| pliments. Medford citizens enjoyed be-
i ing amiably teased about their richness.
| And now the three visitors gave their
| host a thorough complimentary teasing
You don't make a display, Mr.. Crun-
den. You sit on it, com ortable and Sc
cure
r"He lays on it." said Mr.. Holland:
| stretches himself out at full length on
1--WE know" said Bowling. roguishly.
| You keep your money liquid out of
| sight"
but it's there all the time said Mr..
Eaton. The town knows it. That's why
every one respects you and are glad to
show their respect
Show their respect" said Crunden.
mo one touches his hat to me-not a
man in the town"
Don't they?" said Mr.. Eaton. i've
before all the bank clerks. He couldn't
bow lower to Sir John himself
HE knows said Mr.. Holland, what
he's got safe in his cellars-all that liquid
what Mr.. >Crunden as put by"
"I've put by enough for myself" said
Crunden. land enough for my girl. Let 1t
be at that
Just so. Miss Crunden may look
high"
"She can't look too high said Mr..
Bowling, gallantly.
Lucky man as wins her."
so he will be- said Mr.. Bowling, with
great gallantry. And apart from being
| an heiress.''
"Oh. don't part her from the cash."
said Mr.. Eaton, beginning to be very
jocose.
IF I was unmarried said Mr.. Dow
ling. I'D be always on your doorstep.
Mr.. Crunden'
YES" said Mr.. Crunden, with touch
of surliness, but you are married"
Yes" said Mr.. Holland, The is MIR
ried"
Very much married. said Mr.. Eaton.
But now Mr.. Eato was being alto
gether too funny. Mr.. Bowling showed
spirit; he drew himself to his FULL height,
What do you mean by that, Mr..
Eaton?"
"oh, only a joke"
ut is not a joking matter, sir"
isn't it?' said Mr.. Eaton. I'm sorry
to hear that
Then Mr.. Bowling was very angry. He
told Mr.. Eaton that he was-among other
things-an impertinent whipper-snapper.
There, there" said Mr.. Crunden.
Come, gentlemen
MIR. Eaton" said Councillor Holland
determined to cut himself free of any part
in the offending jest. you ought to apollo
gize. You brought it on yourself. You've
put yourself. in the wrong"
VERY good,'' said Mr.. Eaton, Il do
apologize. I meant no harm, Mr.. Dow
x.
withdraw some of your late remarks.
II am satisfied" said Mr.. Bowling; with
really fine gesture of his open hand
''Since Mr.. Eaton has expressed regret, I
can say no more.
But he withdrew nothing Of what he
the hand, as though to declare the Incl
dent closed, he turned and moved to the
window. He had shown much spirit and
dignity. Old Crunden thought the better
Ii IT,
hearth and refusing to tolerate sighting
illusions to the lady who occupied such a
large part of the hearth.
Stay a minute, Mr. Dowling," he said
when the two other guests were going,
stop and have a cup of tea," he added
Hospitality, after he had closed the front
door upon Messrs. Holland and Eaton.
well. yes-thank you.''
Mr.. Bowling, sitting in the pleasant
window seat, soon threw off all dignity,
and chatted in calm and comfort.
by the way" he said, there's bit of
secret history from the lodge. You'll be
there to see Brown Installer?
YES"
DO you know, some of the brethren at
the last moment wanted to pass him over
again."
+ can quite believe it-and I know
why"
"Why?"
Because" said Mr.. Crunden, Brown
is Woodworking man and lives on low
ground, and because Vincent is an idle
dog and lives on the Hill. They're all the
same, Masons or not-they're like people
under a SPELL"
"Oh, wouldn't say that. No, Brother
Vincent has always been friendly and af-
fable. See how jolly he. is over a game
of bowls"
I've no quarrel with young Vincent
/" +" He used,' said Crunden. thought
fully and slowly. ito come here as lad
-often-with my son. He has talked to
me-more than once-about-Dick."
Yes. he spoke to me about him only
the other day."
1--WE no quarrel with Vincent" said
Mr.. Crunden. IF he wastes himself on
the wenches,I don't mind It's not my
business. He's civil enough-the best Of
the bunch" .5-f 49,.
"And. idle or not, he does his Masonic
work WELL" .-.--'
Yes" said crunden. rather grudging-
ly. Yes, there's something in Vincent, 1
believe; but it'll never come out. : Sir
John'll take care of that" -
But, you know, there's great shrewd-
ness in Sir John. He was talking to me
this morning" -1- - = =,
"Oh. he can talk all right" -
HE made me- said Mr. Bowling, real
ly sorry for him. - -
What about ?" 49, -z.s ..-.s~-
'All this Hill Rise upset-hringing trou-
BILE and annoyance on him."
What does it matter to Sir John?'
He stands the chance of seeing Hill
House spoilt If they come building all
about it,
He has ten acres round the house."
But he'll lose the outlook into the
meadows. Talking 1t over-he was with
me half an hour and moraI could see
he was quite alive to the business side of
it. This sale may knock a lot Of value
off his property as residential place. He
made no secret of that"
"Oh, then he has his own ak TO grind.
thought all the fuss he's kicking up was
mere busybodying.
Then Mrs. Price brought in the tea
things.
Tell Lizzie to come down to tea"
Miss Lizzie" said Mrs. Price, ASKS
you to excuse her. She don't want any
tea. She has the headache still. and feels
better keeping quiet in her ROOM
MY girl" said Mr.. Crunden. as he
poured out the tea; Liz has been a bit
out of sorts lately. You don't know of
any better doctor than DIR. Blake, do
your"
DIR Blake's reputation is very high"
and every one on the Hill believes in
him."
"Ah! think shall have to call him in
for Lizzie: But the worst of DR.. Blake is
this. If you ask him to come once, he
comes another dozen times without ask
ing.
CHAPTER VIII.
| The widespread excitement had abated.
The town as a whole had drowsily folded