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

and Short waved his arm toward the win.
dows. How'll it be when you look out
over our garden at the backs of ot-of
Jerry built villas?"
L shan't look. shall look the other
way
Exactly" said Charlie Padfield again
what I tell my mother Take it like a
sportsman. If you're beat. never fet-'em
alton Mr.. Padfield aimed his cigarette at
! the fireplace. and launched it. But the
cigarette not reaching the mark, fell on
the hearth rug. jack and Mr.. Pad
field pointed helplessly. Jack! 1 say!'
Mr.. Vincent. without moving from his
chair, Stretched his right foot and pulled
thu burning cigarette to the safety of the
hearth.
Beg pardon. SIR" said Henry the foot
man. Mr.. Short had left the room, and
Henry in the absence of his superior. Of
ficcr was always of waggish turn. Beg
pardon I'm sure. That accident was my
fault for not bringing you ash-tray. II
Hill House had baen burnt down. should
have taken the blame on myself
You talk too much said Mr.. Padfield.
mo one spoke to YOU
Henry said Jack. whats your
opinion about Hill Rise? You are rather
an ass
I'm that case. sir my opinion can be
of little value
Lets hear it for what It's worth.
Henry Rudd. an alleged footman"
Henry. standing by the table, struck an
attitude and apparently tried to represent
lyrical public speaker while Thomas,
the other footman. fingered by the side
board and GRIM ID adm1ringly. -,
Thus encouraged" said Henry, II Will
ris, to address this influential meeting. l
will state the whole of my opinion, winch
is that the influential people of this town
have made laughing stocks of themselves
Ever since June they have been saying
what they would do next. 1t made me
trenrble and prespire to hear them. @Ihey
was going to eat anybody as touched Hill
Rise. They talked as big as giants-and
what has followed? 1t has Just been sold
over their heads. as though they were so
MANY mice. = Hear! hear! And loud
cheers. Now 1 will proceed
"Oh. shut up! said Mr.. Padfield. You
aren't funny"
Traps" said Henry. "yon aren't
Judge, sir and he glanced at Thomas.
who was highly diverted. - have the
better part of my audience with me-
Then there was some sharp give and
take between Mr.. Padfield and Henry
but in this passage of wit Mr. P1dfeio
was so clearly worsted that ha became
angry. and with a red face got up FROM
his chair.
THANK you. sir P'r'aps you'll show
me the way. Gossip says you're on the
road"
.Impudent ass. Oh, you go to the
devl!'
"That'n do, Henry" said Jack Vincent
authoritatively; and he, too rose from
his chair. Just go upstairs and fetch
my boots"
Henry was at once crestfallen and
alarmed.
"All right" continued Jack You de>
serve to be kicked. but I'm not going to
do It, Only want to change my slippers
I'm too tired to change my Clothes, and
he yawned and stretched himself;
-. And you called Mr.: Pad,ield. to
you fetch my hat, will you?"
The boots and the hat were soon
brought, but by the time they arriy d the
energy of their owners had suhsid d
again. Mr.. Jack began slowly to fill, his
pipe, and Mr.. Charles, as though in un-
They were thus engaged when Lady Vim
cent entered the room from the garden. -
"Your father not with you? l hope he
is resting
"Quietly getting up steam somewhere
said Jack, and he pointed with his pipe
at the table and the ranged chairs
Decks cleared for action
"Oh Jack, don't smoke a pipe in here!
You know all the world is coming"
"All right said Jack, and he put the
pipe in his pocket
'Well, Lady Vincent" said Charlie Pad
field. putting his pipe away, "afraid !
must be Off"
, Lady Vincent smiled politely.
Good bye. Mr.. Charles. Give nay love
to your mamma-but, of course. I shall
see her later on"
afraid you won't. She's seedy-or
"Oh DEAR said Lady Vincent. How
unfortunate. We wanted her support"
Mr. Padfield, sauntering round the ia
ble had nearly reached the window when
Jack called after him.
"Come back for the meeting?"
II don't know" murmured Mr.. Pad
field. IT don't know" and then. as if
unexpectedly Slapped of all initiative or
too much fatigue to go further. he slowly
sank into chair by the window.
Lady Vincent with her blck to the
window. was unaware of this collapse.
She had turned to her son, and her tone
became more confidential.
your father. Jack, is In a great state
of mind about this meeting" ..r'.
"Is he?" said Jack. He always is
about such things. It amuses him"
But about this he is terribly in ear
nest-more SO than I ever remember"
"You know mother-the prevailing idea
seems to be that the governor governor is making
''Why do you say that?"
From what people say''-and as Jack
lazily continued speaking, he brought out
his pipe and CROPPED for the matchbox
behind MIN on the manClepleCe-aS lar as
I can gather, the opinion Is this: The
fuss and chatter has gone on ever since
June-all talking and threatening like
giants Done know what the guv'nor and
the rest weren't going to do. Very well, :"
and he struck a match.
Jack, DON'T:
"All right and he blew out the match.
''Well. then. what happens? At the ad-
vertised date Hill Rise Is jolly we'll sold
over their heads. as Thoughts
though"
''They were so many MICE" said Mr.:
Padfield. Lady Vincent started violently,
turned, and spoke with coldness.
II thought you were gone"
YES must CO."
And, as soon as Lady Vincent had turn
ed her back again. Mr.. Padfield really did
go. Very slowly rising, he passed slowly
out into the sunlight on the lawn.
l. "Your fathers strong hope now said
Lady Vincent seriously, lis to save the
situation by buying back strip OF the
meadows-a protecting belt-four or five
acres-which would really save US from
the worst. We should still have the best
Of the tennis courts-and space to breathe
in. That. after all. Is the essential thing:
And. looking round Lady Vincent started.
HE has gone. Jack. that Is a very
worthless young man.
Eyes, isn't he? Just like the rest of
u.s."
Don't say that"
why not?' 49,.
II know you don't mean 1t. but 1t pains
me to hear you CHASING yourself With
A-1~ ov1 nk0y-