Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-07-20
Depression Before Thunderstorms.

him to his wife to share their fortune with
his son Henry. His last words were BE
| good to poor Dicks boy" The estates were
entailed, SO no provision could be made by
| him for Jim, but Lady Kerhill, in her cold
| just fashion, had tried to make Dicks boy
| happy.
Deep in his heart, Jim remembered the
years that followed; remembered the self
ish domination of the elder boy; remem-
| bered the blind alteration of his aunt for
| her son. the bearer of the torch. who was
| to carry on the golden light of the house
Of kerhill. In the Anglo-Saxon idolatry
| OF the Countess of kerhill for the male of
| the family, all the old traditions and be-
liefs were justified. Her boy-the man
| child who was to be the head Of the house
was her obsession. The tiny, flower-like
girl who came shortly before her husband s
| death, learned soon to turn to Cousin Jim
| for comfort when her brother carelessly
| crushed her little joys, as he senshly
! planned and fought for his own gratifca-
| ton.
| Instinetively Jim watched his aunt who,
| at Henrys word, had started to move to-
ward him.
"Of course, if you care to go and fetch
Diana, l shall be happy Lady Kerhill
said.
Henry lounged back in his chair. well,
II forget, Jim can remember for me-eh
Jim?"
Lady kerhill's face became grave as she
leaned over Henry's chair and closely
confirmation of the fear that had preyed
on her mind for the past half hour.
on, Henry. you've broken your word
she whispered.
The reckless challenge of Henry's dark
eyes as he moved impatiently in his chair
was his only answer. Then in burst OF
| ill-concealed resentment he rose Don't
nag, mother
He swayed slightly as he crossed to the
open easement. As Jim turned to him he
sullen!y pushed him aside.
And don't you preach he muttered, as
he started for the garden.
Jim quickly caught him by the shoulder
Pull yourself together, Henry It's 8
o clock and the people are gathering in the
park.
Henry's only reply a snarl as he
disappeared in the shadow of the trees.
The broad window opened level on an old
world garden that led into the great park
beyond. The late twilight of the July night
was bathing park and garden in a curious,
uhearthiy light, which made strange
| specters of the slowly waving yew trees
| Inc scent of the rose bushes, the call of
the late nightingale to his mate and the
ghostiy sundial sentinel-ike guarding the
| Maudsley Towers
| On slight hill beyond the park Jim
| epuiu see Ihe ruins Of the famous Norman
cturGh, 10 the right at the farther end
| VI tle garden, was the fairies corner
| There among the trees the fairies ~ 10
| held We're supposed to sleep. and to listen
| TO and grant the requests Of tho cb;I5ro.
| who had the courage to venture to them a +
/, eVentlde. Jlms thoughts were busy tn
| night; all the old memories seemed To ~.
! at his heartstrings.
He had carried Diana Marjoribanks there
| on her first visit to the Towers She wa
| six then and he was twelve She had
| chung TO him and hid her head on his
shoulder-the tiny body had stiffened with
| fear-as they made their way to the dark
| Enclosure Of the trees. He could still hear
| her prayer
| Dear fairy, please make Henry kinder
| To poor Jim, poor Mabel and poor me!''
Even then Henry had been the little ty-
| rant of the Towers
And yet tonight Henry's wish, as of old
| was law TO his mother. She conceded
J Dlana to him at his first careless request
athongh in all probability he would forget
the longing child in the nursery-forget his
promise to give her pleasure as he had
forgotten SO often when he was a boy
Jim reused himself: as he turned to LADY,
EHzaDetll he caught glimpse of her with
tne mask on the bitter disappointment OF
| the mothtrs heart showing in every line OF
her proud face. He crossed to her hut tbs
SOUND OF carriage wheels turning into the
driveway heraided the approach of the
first arrivals. and before jim could snea L
the doors We're thrown open to the guests
| Lady Elizabeth gave one look of appeal
10 jim. 1t said: Help Henry and meI,
Upstairs in the right wing of the old
| house, tall. slender child crouched close
! 10 the nursery window. She had crent
from her cot. and. wrapped in d coverlet
waited and chung to the belief that Henry
would come for her. Jim had said he
| would try, but Henry had promised. She