Evening star., 1908-01-25
" MARGARET DELAND,


haste to poke the apples at Mrs. Richie.
who could not help whispering TO him To
pull his collar straight, and she even
pushed his hair back a little from his
forehead. The sense of possession came
over her like a wave. and with 1t a pang
OF terror that made her lips dry; at that
moment she knew the taste of fear In her
mouth When DR.. Lavendar spoke TO
her she was unable to reply.
We'll. now. Mrs. Richie he said. Il
I'expect these little people can eat their
apples without us; can't you. chickabid-
dies?"
"Yes. sir!' said the children. in eager
chorus. eyeing the apples.
You and will go into the study for a
| WHILE" said DR.. Lavendar.
She followed him speechlessly
| the time had come.
DIR. Lavendar, hosptable and fussy
ears on each side OF the back and bade
her sit down: then he poked the fire and
put on big lump OF coal. and asked her
III she was sure she was warm enough
IT'S pretty chilly: we didn't have weather
as cold as this in October when ! was
your age"
'Dr. Lavendar' said Helena-and at
the tremor in her voice he looked at her
quickly. and then looked away-"in re-
gard to David
"Yes. 1 understand that you are not
sure that You want to keep him?"
"Oh. no! / am sure. Entirely sure
She paused. uncertain what to say next.
DR.. Lavendar gave her no assistance.
Her breath caught in an unsteady laugh.
You are not smoking. DR.. Lavendar! Do
light your pipe. I am quite used to to-
bacco smoke. assure YOU"
No" said DR.. Lavendar. quietly; Il
will not smoke now
I'm regard to David" she began, and
gripped her hands tight together, for she
saw with dismay that they were shaking.
She had an instant of angry surprise at
her own body. 1t was betraying her to
the silent. watching old man on the other
side of the fire. II want him. but mean
to leave Old Chester. Would you be will
ing to let me take him away?'
why" said DIR. Lavendar I'VE shall be
very sorry TO have you leave us, and, OF
course. / shall be sorry to lose David.
Very sorry, I shall feel" said DR.. Law
endar. with a rueful chuckle. ''as il I had
lost tooth! That Is about as omni-
present sense of loss as a human critter
can have. But I can't see that that is
any reason for not letting you take him."
You are very kind she murmured.
Where are you going and when do you
go?'' he asked. easily; but he glanced at
those shaking hands.
II want to go next week. I-oh. DR.
Lavendar! / want David: am sure no
body can do more for him than ! can.
Nobody can love him as l do! And /
think he would be pretty homesick for
me. too. If did not take him. But"
"Yes?'
She tried to smile then spread her
handkerchief on her knee and folded it
over and over with elaborate self-control.
''Dr. King thinks-I ought not to have
him. He says" she stopped: the effort to
repeat William Kings exact words drove
the color out of her face. "IIe says he
made a mistake in advising you to give
David to me. He thinks" she caught
her breath with a gasp-"I am not to be
trusted toto bring him up
Gh, lod With &. bo
| over. She had kept her promise. to the
| letter. Now she would begin to fight for
her child: You will let me have him?
You will! Please say you will, DIR. Law
| sndar!''
why does DR.. King think You are not
to be trusted?" said DR.. Lavendar.
Because" she said. gathering up all
| her courage. ''he thinks that It that
David ought to be brought up by some
one more-more religious, l suppose. than
1 am. 1 know I'm not very religious Not
as good everybody in Old Chester. but
[ will bring him up just as you want me
to! ANY way at all you want me to. l
will go to church regularly; truly / WILL
DR. Lavendar: truly!'
DR.. Lavendar was silent. The lump of
coal in the CRATE suddenly split and fell
apart: there was a cracking leap of
flames. and from between the bars
squirt Of bubbling gas sent a whiff of
acrid smoke pulling out into the room.
You will let me have him. won't you?
You said you would. If you take him
away from me-
'.Well?'
She looked at him dumbly: her chin
shook.
The care of a child is sometimes
great burden: have you considered that?"
Nothing would be burden If did 1t
for David!'
1T might involve much sacrifice
Il have sacrificed everything for him.
she burst out.
WHAT"
There was something" she said.
evasively, that I wanted to do very
much; something that would have made
me-happier. But / couldn't IL l kept
David: SO gave 1t up"
DR.. Lavendar ruminated. You wanted
David the most ?"
"Yes-' she said. passionately.
"Then II was a choice, not a sacrifice.
wasn't 1t. my dear? No doubt you would
make sacrifices for him. only in this mat
ter you chose what you wanted most. And
your choice was for your own happiness |
take it-not his?"
She nodded doubtfully. baffled for
minute. and not quite understanding.
Then she said, But 1 would choose his
happiness; have done some things for
him. truly have. Oh, little things, sup
pose you would call them: but | wasn't
used to them and they seemed great to
me. But ] would choose his happiness.
DR.. Lavendar. So you will let me keep
him.
IF you think you ought to have him
you may"
mo matter what DR.. King says?
mo matter what DIR. King says. II
you are sure that ii il best for him 10 be
with you. I. at least, shall not interfere.
Her relief was great that the tears
ran down her face. 1T is best
BEST to be with you.' DIR. Lavendar
repeated. thoughtfully. why. Mrs.
Richie?.'
why? Why because I want him so
much. l have nothing In the whole world,
DR.. Lavendar. but David. Nothing"
"Other folks might want him."
But nobody can do as much for him
/ can, I have a good deal of money.
You mean you can feed him. and clothe
him and educate him? Well, l could do
that myself. What else can you do?"
What else?"
YES One person can give him material
care about as well another. What else
can you do?"
Why she began. helplessly: "I don't
think / know just what you mean?"
MY friend" said DR.. Lavendar. ARE
you a good woman"
The shock of the question left her
speechless. She tried to meet his eye
qualed. half rose: II don't know what
you mean. What right have you to ask
me such question
(To be continued tomorrow
Kansas Bank Cashiers Suicide.