Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-16

thoughts. and brought them both down
to the contemplation Of more trivial mat
thread in q few seconds. Mr.. Lampirthy
frowned and seemed to be trying to for
get about Sibyi's motor car.
Father Francis folded his arms and ap-
peared to be trying to recollect some
thing. The face and voice OF the woman
had stirred up unpleasant memories. but
1t was not Of the woman that he was
thinking at that particular moment. The
child had. for some obscure reason.
brought back to his mind the ugly white
Of Cardighnshire. He could not trace
the connection in his mind. But 1t ex-
listed, and its existence troubled him more
than q chance resemblance between two
women.
Nj. Lampirthy was the first to speak.
He broke In upon the silence with an
I'm sorry Tor the interruption" he
said. quietly. But as you know. when
understand" j.
Father Francis did not lift his eyes to
the SPEAKERS face. He was thinking of
his mother and life at Gaunt Royal and
hesg BETH II. . p1sas r m not nensy
received with this indifference. especially
when they were made to any one who
was asking his assistance.
~ beg your pardon" said Father Fran:
your little girl. How beautiful she is!
There is something in life which money
cannot Destroy
Mr.. Lampirthy laughed bitterly.
HOY old is she continued Si w Fstas.
Mr.. Lampirthy looked at him as though
desIrous OF tracing the reason Of this
peculiar question.
''she is fourteen" he replied, stiniy.
land she has never been in Wales. She
is not my. child, only my stepdaushter.
But the curse Of my wealth. IL on her.
She is, as you say. beautiful And one
day she will be the richest woman In the
world. In your opinion, and perhaps In
and loneliness will not tend to her ad-
vantage"
she is but 4 child" said Father Fran
els. softly. Her mind is wax and re-
ceives the Impressions of her surround.
ings. 1t is curious that should fancy
had seen her before. OF course I have
not"
''Of course not. If you've just come
from the deserts of Arabia. Now let us
talk business"
A CLEAN Of hope came into the eyes Of
the enthusiast, and all thought Of the
child passed from his mind.
'Business?" he queried. Yes, Mr.. Lam
pirthy. must apolostse for the inter-
ruption. Only one thing occupies my
mind I have stated my case. You think
1t Is worthless and the mere vision Of q
dreamer. Yet some Of the greatest things
In the world have first come to men in
visions"
You are a dreamer" replied Mr.. LAM
pirthy, picking up a piece Of paper and a
pencil. Il arm not sure that you are not
mad. Your mind is the exact antithesis
solves itself into a question OF pounds.
ahiliings and pence, and I am, of course,
q practical man. But ! will confess to
you that your words have not been alto
weak spot in my armor. have always
had the desire to attempt something
which has never yet been attempted
something in which can pit all my
wealth and energy against an almost in
Cured to me from time to time. and 1
have put my back into the work. but in
each case they have been matters Of
finance and the victory has been too
easy. Here you offer me a fresh field
said
He paused, and carefully selecting an
other cigar from his case. he lit it and
Father Francis did not speak. but his
whole face and body was eloquent. The
crucial moment had come. and his whole
future work, and perhaps the future hap
who faced him. quietly smoking q cigar.
The tensity of the occasion was shown in
every line of his features. in his eyes. in
the pose Of his limbs. But he did not
dare to speak. A single word misht de-
stroy everything.
"Your scheme for the houses" con-
tinued Mr.. Lampirthy. docs not appeal
to me. 1t seems useless and visionary.
I do not think they will do any good. I
DO not believe that you can fnd forty
the work at starvation wages. L am sure
that you will meet with the opposition Of
every kind Of religious denomination You
called these houses both homes and
10 be the more correct. They will appear in
this light to the inhabitants Of the towns
and villages. They will provoke resent
ment and irritation. be rather hindrance
than help to your cause. think can
spend my money In way which will be
profitable to myself and which Will Incl
dentaily further the cause you have at
heart. I have told you that 1 want to
pit all the force of my wealth against
some great obstacle, to accomplish some
almost hopeless task. to fight battle
which will occupy all my thoughts and be
worthy OF such brains as / have got"
He paused and. stretching out his hand,
took hold of a packet of papers and slow
ly united the piece Of red tape which
bound them together. Then he turned
over the documents one by one and, Sc
Letting several sheets OF blue foolscap.
opened them and appeared lost in the
0tuQy OF tnelr contents.
Father Francis sat nnotionless and not
muscle Of his face moved. But his dark
eyes were fxed on the papers and he
only saw long columns Of figures
{. For five minutes there was silence. only
broken by the rustic Of the papers, as
Mr.. Lamprthy turned them over. The
heart OF Father Francis beat fast and he
began to exAertanca. feeling OF shame.
He had appealed to- this giant force Of
wealth for helpjiand apparently his ap-
peal had not beenain yain.- But he was
made to feel the humiliation. of the whole
business. His sent sand brain were aglow
with the fires of religious enthusiasm
His only desire was to further the cause
OF Christianity and make 1t q living force
in the world. He was inspired with the
noble fefvor Of high ideal. But the
man. on whose assistance everything de-
pended. was merely reckoning up col.
uunns of figures and calculating what 1t
would cost.
II am now engaged" Mr.. Lampirthy
said. ION a scheme which will place in
my hands tho greatest power Tor 5000 or
evil that has ever been placed IN the
hands OF any single man. started 1t with
the Sole idea OF making money. 1t is
purely financial scheme. / look for
large profits"
He paused and cloud passed over the
face Of Father Francis. Why did this
man insist on thfusting the sordid side OF
the matter in his face?
Your words have not touched my
heart" the millionaire continued, with
smile. -'but that casts no -slur on your
powers OF logic or rhetoric have no
eager for something worthy Of IT. You
have snpnlieA that 'soooething' You have