Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-12-15
CHAPTER XV-Continued.

had from you-best gentleman I ever come
across-and it isn't money that makes the
gentleman. - Do now, sir, let me pay
fair"
"Oh. no. Charles. But thanks. all the
same. You always were sportsman
No. you misunderstood I only meant
sustaining on purpose. I'm dieting my
self-reformng myself-trying to get into
hard condition. That's al"
Then Charles treasured. with the dress
suit in a bundle under his ulster, went
home to the White Hart happy and con-
tented. He was very fond of Jack. ana
had been quite overcome by the horrld
thought of his sufferings from short COM
mons.
on the bright and frosty morning OF
Champagne day itself Jack received
supper invitation. ..,.u
make IT convenient to sup with us tonight
so that we can talk things over quiet
when all's done. Mr.. Bowling. he can
join us. but I hope you will-if only 10
cheer us up bit. For. between you anu
me Masonic - my expectations nave
dropped these last few days-chiefiy from
something Griggs clerk let fall and then
tried to take back
What time is supper. sir?
flight o'clock-aS usual.
Thanks" said Jack. after little con-
sideration: "I'll be there without fail"
MARQUEE luncheon. MERRY Girls din
ner Crunden supper-it would be a 1uil
dav for Jack.
The sale was not a success. When Crun-
den saw the needy, seedy, greedy Lon
doners that had been imported at SUCH
vast expense. his expectations oroppeu
again. Men of straw-that was the only
name for Griggs' ticket-holders. 1t is
part of a builders business to recognize
and avoid treaty with. men OF straw !:
from them come the half of all builders
disasters. Old Crunden hated and ab-
hored men of straw, and he saw them
now trooping up the new road In dozens.
Any remaining nope must oe In the soma,
fly of guests invited by Bowling and
Jack. or collected by the profuse adver-
Using in the London press.
The luncheon. however. was most sue
cessful Charles the major-domo. Drake
the caterer and Jack the wine steward
and master of ceremonies. all played their
parts we'll. Jack particularly distinguish,
ed himself by his affability. winning all
hearts. making everybody leel happy and
at home There were speeches and toast
ipgs. Mr.. Douglas j. Grigg. at the top
of one table gave rouslng Grafton: MT.
Crunden's health was drunk standing
Mr. Vincent's health drunk infori- ally
without a speech-again and again.
The great sensation of the day was un-
doubtedly the Rosencrantz champagne: IL
was truly dreadful stuff-like burning Ice.
into gas-and its froth was quite Won
derful 1t made people sneeze. 1t loaned
and fixed and --~,led: it sent It's corks
nearly through the canvas roof. 1t bang
ed like "a prr. it gushed like fountain
II steama' l<n a gayser. Crunden tossed
off a very little of it and thea drank
tumblers of soda water. one after another.
as fast as he could. But the men of straw
loved it. could not have too much OF II:
"a glass of wine with you. Mr.. Vincent.
Your health. sir" Mr.. Vincent, I look
toward you.
Then. at last tables were cleared. tres
ties carried out; rostrum and lofty seat
were set up. ard Mr.. Douglas ]. Grigg.
hammer in hand. smiled down unon the
assembly. But no lots went OF. The lets
were less like cakes than stones-rocks
immovably fixed to mountain sides. 'hich
even such fire as Rosencrantz could not
blow away.
Just at first II seemed as it should be.
The first three lots seemed to be knocked
down at real hot-cake speed. But Mr..
Grigrs' subordinate. who hurried to take
the bidders name. had to return with
tidings of confusion and ANNOYANCE. 1t
was old Mr.. Seihv. who. with his Young
wife. had luncN1d to repletion: and who
was not row bidding hut merely nodding
his head in token of ease. gratitude. uni
verssl friendlin4ss. etc.
mo no. nv la'ad.' he said TO Mr..
Douglas J. Griag. when CHALLENGED from
HE rostrum. "He're a clever ,a'ad but
oSt won't ca'atct me Tripping. No bid. I
Xs>Sut nodd:nf my head. No bid.
~ sinsl1(los was sold in the mar
fINwas the evening of champagne day.
andlt seemed to Lizzie Crunden that his
ford repeated itself. Supper tonight was
laidDin the big room: 1t was long past
sumner time: she and sher father were
waiting for the young man who did not
come Lyric was thinking of night IN
the fsYlonv Fpast when thew had thus
waltsE and as she thought of it she shiv-
, ered'
"shaII dish up?' asked Mrs. Price.
\ Yes said .Crunden sloom'ly: I'VE
liant waitsbor ever. He'll be here per-
hsrs as soon as we begin"
Then father and daughter ate their SUD-
rAr in almost unh-oken silence. Mr..
Cr,iuden was Learning the days disap-
pointment stoicallv. He looked grave
and stern. ard his forehead was ruckered:
N but when Lizzie spoke to him. his brow
*Fe'sxed. He shrugged his shou ders and
Rl'ed, TN not fretting. Liz" he said
v4}luu<1y. 'T didn't expect much result
from Vt: hut I felt ought to try IT.. or
course he must he depressed In sDirits:
but he was brave that If there had
been any one here to cheer him. he could
have enjoyed his supper after the long.
fruitless dav. II was unkind. thought
Lizzie-heartleSsly Unkind of the supper
cheer him: her thoughts. in spite OF ef-
forts to restra'n thom. were drawn back
into the far-off time: It was ss II al g
was an ugly dream which she was forced
to drea-n for the second time. She won
dnred If ha. too. thought of the rieht when
they sat waiting for brother Dick. She
sure that Mrs. Price was thinking
of IT,
Mrs Prica with shawl over her head
had trotted down the road to M-s. Gates.
and on again nearly to the bridge. Sock
ing news sight of the laegard. Now
she was back again. asking her questions
In most mournfu' ones.
"Fave you finished. sir? !" Shall
take away, ~ir?
NO: leave the thin9s-for the sake of
good manners. II would look odd II he
came md sew tho table bare
Lizzie pulled the arrr~hair to the cor
ner nv the fire. brought her father his
pipe ar1 ."hacco ia- and watched him as
thoughtfullv be filed the rire. Watching
him her prntt~ ewes 6lled with tears.
and she laid her hard upon his bead
and stroked his coarse grav aair. The
hair was white mon his Temples Look =
ing down at hirl she thoupht sud
denly that he was quite an Id man
too old for hard work that enGs In
disappointment.
Dad dear IL was had 1uck--a bout
the sale. am so sorry that Won didn't
have good luck. ] wish YOU sor,c have
luck-alwavs" She said this with
great -cheerfuiness. after ostertatiOuslv
blowing her nose and furtively drying
her ewes.
Don't fret for me. Liz. ! wasn't even
thinking Of il. I was thinking of
something else-aItoeether different"