Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-19
A NOVEL.
By JOSEPH C.. LINCOLN.

was there. I'm awful glad to see you.
doc. Seems just Ike old times. You'll
excuse my not getting up. won't you?
I've wasted away so since you was here
that
"Bosh." says the doctor again. You're
fatter than ever. There's nothing in the
world the matter with you but pure.
downright dog laziness. Don't cough on
my account. I don't care to hear it"
<Washy looked at him as reproachful
and goody-goody as a saint
Il forgive you for them words doctor.
says he. II realize l amt been able to
pay my bill to you, and so can make
allowances
Allowances. why. you COMPOUNDED
impudent loafer! I've good mind
He was purple in the face Peter Brown
caught his arm.
Amt this little off the subject" he
says. Look here. Sparrow. We need
good husky man about your size at tho
hotel. Well pay him ten dollars a week.
I've offered you the job. Are you going
There amt nothing in the world
should like better, Mr.. Brown. l like to
IAN right. then. Get on your hat and
come along"
Come along! Why. how you talk. If
I was to stir out of this house 'twould-'
Twas Scudder's turn. You'll have to
stir mighty quick" says he. II won't
| have no do-nothing tramps in a house of
mine. Either take this chance or out you
go next Saturday. bag and baggage.
why. Mr.. Scudder! Why. Nate! How
can you talk so! Just for little matter
Of rent You don't need 1t. Amt you
been telling me that you had a couple OF
soft rich folk over to Horsefoot bar that
was paying you good living and more.
too. all by themselves. Don't you re-
member you said"
Shut up!" Twas scudder who got
valid was having all the. fun. He seemed
to be expecting something and playing
for time. I guess Hartley thought SO.
too. for he says:
That's enough Of this. It's plain that
he doesn't intend to accept. Mr.. Scudder.
you have given him formal notice. Come
on"
Then Washy broke down. He shifted
and half cried and wanted to know
things. The work Would kill him In a
day or SO. of course, but he didn't mind
that. When he thought of his poor
fatherless children
THE children will be provided for
says Martin. II told you that. Mr.. Nor
MIR. Morton? Morton? Seems to me
I've heard that name afore. Amt he the
gambler? The one that come near being
run out of town for stealing a bedquilt
from the poorhouse, or something like
that? Is he the man to trust with inno-
cent little chlidren?'
There 1t was again. The minister was
red as beet and stammering about i'm
pertinence' and ''blackguardism.' I
thought he'd lick that consumptive right
then and there. 1t took another five min
utes to calm him down. And SO far we
hadn't gained an inch.
And just then horse and buggy came
rafting into the yard. The horse was all
over lather, like he'd been drove hard
and the buggy was white with dust
Everybody looked out of the window.
Sparrow looked and his face frightened
up. I caPlate twas exactly what he bad
been hoping and waiting for. Martin
Hartley looked and his eyes and mouth
opened. So did mine
1Ras Lord James that was driving the
buggy and there was young woman
with him. The young woman was Agnes
Page.
Agnes jumped from the step and run t.
the kitchen door. In spite of the dust
and her clothes being rumpled and her
hat shook over to one side she was as
pretty as picture. The next minute she
was in the room. staring solemn at all us
men. And her eyes seemed to look right
through Teller.
why. Agnes-Miss Page!" exclaimed
Hartley. why are you here? What's
the natter"
She didn't answer him. Just turned to
Washy. And says She
Am l In time. Mr.. Sparrow? I didn't
get your letter until nearly nine, because
James was delayed at the office. But
hurried right over. l was SO afraid
would be too late. Am I?'
CTo be continued tomorrow.)