The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-12-30

off till supper ought TO be on table.
BY the time the master has made his
big fortune, you'll all have the indi-
gcstton SO as you won't be able to en-
Joy your meals. Miss Lizzie! stop
your work and let mo bring you your
tea"
mo. I'll wait for father. They must
have nearly done their talk"
'.Alr. Dowling's there, isn't he7, He'd
go on talking to the gentlemen till
midnight. Oh, Miss Lizzie, do stop
writing
"Priccy.' said Lizzie, putting down
her pen, they've been so long that +
begin to hope they'll succeed
Il hope SO. too. And know the
best thing your father and Mr.. Dow
ling could do. is to come straight home
and have their tea, and leave Mr. Jack
to do the job. Hos the one that sells
the land, and Mr.: Dowling's the one
that talks about It."
"Hark," cried Lizzie. That's IA
Tiers footstep."
a glance ut Mr.. Crunden's face told
her that he did not bring good news.
He looked tired and detected and cold.
mo SUCCESS, dad?"
Nothing settled. Mr.. Jacks talk
ing to 'em. Bowling has run down.
II suppose" said Mrs. Price. ut Is
tea now. / keep telling her it's Sat
urday night, but she goes on just the
snmc.''
yes" said crunden YEARLY. BLOW
up. Knock Off. Strike work. Put
your things away. Lizzie" and he went
to the fire, and stood before 1t warm
ing his hands. Its been bad week.
Let's be done with It,"
They havcn't quite decided against
the house. have they, dad?'
NO Just backwards and forwards
hem and ha. First It's the house
they'll buy. then It's a site they'll take
and build TO their own taste"
.They couldn't build nicer house,
father"
mo. I don't believe better decoy
houses were ever put UP. They are
very nice, my decoys-but they don't
seem to catch much, do they?" and he
shrugged his shoulders and laughed
Presently. when Mrs. Price had
brought the tea, Bowling arrived.
May I come ir?. Nothing done.
Yes. one minute. No, the next. Mr.
Jack is hard at them still. They seem
to banker after the site now. IrrItat.
ing sort Of people"
You'll have some tea. won't your"
asked Lizzie.
Yes, ST down." said crundcn sruf-
fly.
Thank you. but I ought to be get
ting home" said Mr.. Bowling. and he
looked at the comfortable tea-table
aud hesitated. My wife may expect
me. But no again-stupid OF me to
rorget"--and he brought chair TO the
table-"Mrs. Bowling has n social en-
gagemcnt Besides, she would guess
4, .nyil1 ring m
the telephone If she wished me home
.She can't wish you home when she's
out" said Crunden rather testify.
You aren't the house cat"
mo. | am quite aware of that. Mr..
Crunden;" and Mr.. Bowling drew back
the chair.
mo, no." said crunden. sit down,
sir. and stay to supper. too-and
cheer us UP a bit. We want II"
We'll, II you put it like that" and
Bowling sat down. "Yes, thank you.
will stay to supper. il. Two Jumps,
Miss Lizzie. II you please" and he took
slice OF cake. Talking always
makes me hungry"
Always makes me thirsty said
Crunden, after emptying his second
cup. "Parches me when 1t goes on
like it has to-day"
And then, slipping at his third cup,
MI. Crunden announced tpat He was
about to lose his clerk.
"IIe gave me notice this morning
when he drew his screw. He goes end
of next week, Lizzie
Mr. Bowling was astounded by this
announcement and became loud in his
praises of Jack. Mr.. Bowling by no
means considered that there We're as
good fish in the sea. He loudly de-
clnred that they would never find such
another clerk
Hes 30 jolly over it, too--so affa-
BILE and friendly. Hear what Grlsss's
men used to say of him. And why
should he go? Has there been any
Iunpleasantness between you?"
mo. not that I've seen-or guessed.
He says he wants to go. and there's
an end OF 1t. A mistake, very likely
He may live to regret-and l shouldn't
like him to have to rough It.
oh said Bowling. he'll fall on his
| feet. No fear of that"
Father. didn't he tell you where he
was going?"
NO. he said London probably-noo
more"
II should try to retain him." said
Bowling enthusiastically. Il should
try to persuade him. Means could
surely be found--if we discussed it to-
gether -
well" said Crunden, how? Let's
discuss it, I shall be glad to discuss
| 1T -"
Then Mrs. Price came in with an.
other jug Of hot water.
IT won't" said Mrs. Price, stop your
ldiscussion--not half a minute. There
Now lin off and you can go on dis
,cussing."
mo secrets. Mrs Price" said crun.
den kindly. "stay and give us your
word"
But If Mr.. Bowling had been loud
Mrs. Price was far louder. When sht
heard what to her seemed most dire
! full tidings she really screamed.
Never. Oh, never. Don't you say
! that-and don't you let 1t happen
! and she turned almost fiercely upol
4 her master. 'Have you drove him inte
/ thls-with your angry tongue and your
/ hard ways? Haven't you learnt YOU
/ lesson. yet-thnt young people Wit
high spirits and warm hearts aren't e
be driven like so many dogs?"
There said Crupden sternly
"That'll do. Not so much noise-or s.
4 outside and squall there"
J, But Mrs. Price was not easily Gained
i Who was the delinquent? That wa!
4 her cry.
"Yes, SIR I'll go outside-but 7 wan