Evening star., 1908-01-14
CHAPTER XXII-Continued.

There was pause. Benjamin Wright
was reminding himself that in handling a
boy one must be careful not to say the
wrong thing; one must express ones self
with reserve and delicacy; one must
weigh ones workshops were such jack
asses.
falling In love with a female old enough
to be your mother?''
Sam looked at him.
Il hope your trip has put sense into
you on that subject. anyhow"
II love Mrs. Richie as much as l ever
did. if that's what you mean. SIR Sam
said. listlessy.
Upon which his grandfather flew into
instant rage. LAS much in love as ever!
Gad-a-mercy! Well: l give you up, sir.
give you up. l spend my money to get
you out of this place. away from this fe-
male. old enough to be your grandmother,
and you come back and say you are as
much in love with her as ever. 1 swear,
don't believe you have a drop of my blood
in you.' He flung his cigar away and
plunged his hand down into the ginger
jar on the bench sbeside him. "A little
boy like you. just in breeches! Why
your mother ought to put you over her
knee. and he stopped. You have nc
sense. Sam he added, with startling
mildness.
But Sans face was as red as his grand
fathers. She is only ten years older
than !. That is nothing. Nothing at all
If she will overlook my comparative youth
and marry me, l.
'Damnation"' his grandfather scream
ed. "She overlook? She?''
i am younger" the boy said. but love
isn't matter of age. It's a matter OF
the soul"
"A matter of the soul.'' said Benjamin
Wright; "a matter of-of sugar-tit for
toothless baby. Which is just about
what you are. That female. l tell you
could have dandled you on her knee ten
years ago"
Sam got up; he was trembling all over
You needn't insult me-" he said.
Instantly his grandfather was calm. He
stopped chewing orange skin and looked
hard at his ridgy finger nails.
Il shall ask her again." Sam said. Il
said | wouldn't. but l will l must. Tha,
was why / came back And as for my
age. that's her business and mine"
You've drunk too much.'' said his
grandfather. Sit down. I've something
TO say to you. You can't marry thai
woman. Do you understand me?"
You mean she doesn't care for me?'
Sam laughed noisily. "I'll make her. Ole
-young-what does 1t matter? She must.
ne huHs up MS arms, ana Inen SAM
down and hid his face in his hands.
Sammy said the old man. and stop.
ped. Sam. 1t can't be. Don't you un.
derstand me? She isn't fit to marry
The young man gaped at him, blankly
She s-bad." Benjamin Wright said, in
low voice.
How dare you,' cried the other. his
frowning bewilderment changing slowly
to fury; ''how dare you? If she had d
relative here to protect her. you Would
never dare! If her brother was here he
would shoot you; but she has me, anc
Her brother!' said Benjamin Wright
Sam. my boy, he isn't her brother
Isn't hep" Sam flung, back at him
well. what of that? I'm glad of it,
nate him. He stood up, his hands
clenched. his head flung back "Wha1
difference does it make to me what he is
Her. cousin. her friend-what do l care.
II she marres me. what do care for hel
relations?'
His grandfather looked up at him
aghast. the young insulted innocence OF
love blazed In the boys face "Gad-a-
mercy" said Mr.. Wright, in a whisper
''he doesn't understand" He pulled him
self on to his shaking legs. and laid his
hand on the young mans Siloulder
Sam, he said. very gently, ''he is hel
lover, my boy"
Sans lips fell apart: he gasped heav.
lily; his hands slowly opened and, shut
and he swayed from side to side; his wilc
eyes were fixed on that old face, al
softened and moved and plying Then
with discordant Shrek of laughter, he
flung out his open hand and struck his
grandfather full In the face.
You old fool. You lie! You liei DE-
you hear me?"
Benjamin Wright, staggering slight,
from the blow tried to speak but the
boy. still laughing shrilly. leaped dow1