The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-11-15
CHAPTER Iv.-continued.

AS he walked on again, he would
think OF the grandson OF the arch.
huilder-of the boy Dick who had
failed him For him work had been
made SO easy. and yet he would not
work. Bring him back, father. :.
for my sake
NO, let him have his lesson" Hedge
hog Crunden could hear the pleading
voice, could see the pale tear-stained
face OF his loved lost wife. She was by
his side now, he was walking hand in
hand with n ghost. when Mr.. Sholto
of Hill Rise, gave him patroniztng
nod; and he touched his hat automati-
cally. uttered q nannerless, absent
minded grunt in acknowledgment OF the
How do. Crunden.''
With any excuse. however flimsy.
no would climb the stairs to the first
floor office OF Mir. Bowling. and enjoy
quiet chat with that clever archi-
tect and good freemason. To-day he
found his excuse in the fact that the
ground floor shop, hitherto occupied
by young French, the halter. was
empty. with ITO Let bills in the
windows.
well. / am surprised" said Mr..
Crundcn--'him coming to grief after
opening with all that flourish Of
trumpets. thought young French had
money behind him.
Not a penny, so 1t seems, said MIR.
Bowling. Il haven't got to the bot
tom of 1t yet--
Rogers lost any rent3
"The half quartcr-no more. Rogers
took alarm from something that came
| to his ears. thought Master French
was going to take bolt. So he pops
| in a DISTRACT, and that you may say.
burst the bubble. Jones paid It off;
| bought the whole stock, ana they be-
| gan moving II away to High Street !
O'Clock yesterday"
| HE was an arrogant young ass.
said Mr.. crunden. French was; but
/ certainly thought he had money be-
hind him.
1 what, I wonder" said Mr.. Bowling,
1 us who I'm going to have under me
next. ] wasn't too fond OF the hats.
/ but 1t may be chooses and bacon this
time"
"Why don't you take the shop your
self? Use 1t for your drawing clerk
and put all your framed. plans on the
wall"
II only wish was Justified" said
Mr.. bowling, opening his hands In q
ldcprccating gesture. innings art
very lifeless just now--drcadfully III
tie dping.'' ~.
Then they discussed the rest of tls
shop Rogers, the landlord, always ex'
i pected to get his sixty pounds veal
because Of the choice position. close Z
i High Street close to the market. clos'
< to everything
sixty per annutn needs q Dit OF ma n
4 ing. MIR. ,Crunden, as times go.
Mr. Bowling was q thin man o
about fifty, with shining bald fore
head. prominent but mild eyes. and
struggling reddish beard. Hetas. an
Crunden were old allies who had dom
4 much business together. lie resrette.
Il the happy days when Crunden USED y
come in warm from the purchase Q
some odd. little "cat-cornered",s5fltl eio
land. putting their heads together, the;
!$wouId work out scheme for GOVERN!
4 the restricted area with the creates
hpossible number Of snug little Villas
ElNow, although there was no buslnes
1 Hanging to 1T, he was always glad OF
Il Visit from Mr.. Crunden and never .a!!e
Ito greet him cordially.
II believe you're right Mr.. Downing
I.ns to the slackness. can't re membe
the place so stngnant But for n
THAT you don't require to worryNyo your
self"
NY Sll,'tG SllQ SPPPHa
Ill mustn't complain. I've much to b
thankful for. But, you know, n like 7
keep moving. I like to be earning. no
resting. I like to feel independent.
Mr. Dowling would never starvt
Mrs Downing. a large and richly dress
LA lady, had modest cnmnetence
SE her own, As the town generally under
Il, stood. she was far from desiring tina
: Mr.. Bowling should feel too indepeno
emit, she had wooed and won hi
somewhat late in life, on her side. q
least, 1t was love match. she believe
him to q dangerously attractive ma,
and on more than one occasion had a.
"a lowed tho world to note that he POI
4 sessch IN hers jealous guard ian an we
:. as a faithful helpmate,
= Even now, while the two old friend
Il sat tallting, she reminded Mr., Dowlln
g of her loving concern forShim.
h. Excuse me,"she said, when the tels
phone bell rang. - message frol
home. I think" Then. rs he stood b
"a the instrument, he added gallantlN