Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-23
VIII.
The First Disciple.

Inc E1ISt OIScAp1e.
well. child, what is it? You seem to
be worrying about something"
i've a headache, Lady Betty" the
girl replied.
Come. Alice. the truth. You've been
like this all day. You're taking no inter-
est In your work. 1 don't want to pry
into your private affairs. but want to
impress upon you the wisdom of thrustfng
all private troubles out of your mind
when you are working. That is one Of
the slories of work, Alice. that it helps
us to forget
The girl moved her pencil down long
line of figures. Then she suddenly put
her face in her hands and burst into
tears.
What is the matter dear?" asked Lady
Betty. kindly II don't want to be in
uusitive, but / do wish you to look on me
more as a friend than as an employer.
Have you had quarrel? Well. that's
nothing. He'll come round to you and
make it up tomorrow"
The girl continued to cry and did not
raise her head.
Now then Alice, this is all nonsense
Love is very sweet and Important. put,
after ALL ones future depends on the
work one does in the world.
Hes out Of work. the girl exclaimed,
suddenly. -
"Well. that doesn't matter. There's al
WAYS plenty of work for an honest, steady
Young man. He was in Blanos 1nterna-
tional Stores, was he not? From all L We
heard, he's we'll out of 1t.
That's what he said last night fall
tered the girl. He gave notice to leave
He didn't like their ways. He told Mr..
Bland he was a murderer
"A murderer" asked Lady Betty, In
some establishment
YES for selling adulterated food
Lady Betty smiled. ut was not wise Of
him to use such Incorporate language.
she replied. but the action does MIN
every credit. He'll easily get another
place and better wages
Betty, and he's we'll known and respected
in the grocery trade. But 1t wouldn't
matter if Mr.. Bland wrote him out a tes-
timonial in gold letters. He's not gong
to look for another place. He says the
whole trade Is tarred with the same
brush"
''Oh. this is very foolish" said Lady
Betty very impractical / must have
talk with him. How does ne propose 10
earn his liying?"
I haven't told you the worst" said the
girl. drying her eyes with a tiny hand
kerchief Hes got religion.
I'm afraid that won't earn MIN MS
daily bread replied Lady Betty, with
look of disapprovai.
Hes took up with this new preacher,
the girl continued. THE night before
last he made me go to one or 'he meet
ings on Hampstead Heath. The preacher
frightened me. Lady Betty. l don't think
l slept all last night"
lis this the man who calls himself
Father Francis?'
Eyes. Lady Betty. Oh. it was dreadful,
Lady Betty. He made me feel really
wicked. He went on awful about money.
II made me feel as though l oughfnf 10
earn any more than would buy me bread
and cheese. And l felt Dadly ABOUT thdl
extra pound a week..
I've heard of the man, said Lady
Betty, sternly. "a visionary. a dreamer:
If only these fellows would shout less and
do more practical good in the world
Il haven't told you the worst yet, the
girl interrupted I'm ashamed TO speak
of it, ] think Harry must have lost his
head
..What has he done?''
Il could have sunk through the ground.
Lady Betty. When the preacher had nm
ished. and was praying that God might
move the peoples hearts to better KIND
of life, Harry suddenly waved his arms
in the air and shouted like a mailman.
Here l am he cried. take me. Let me
help you And. after the meeting was
over. he went and talked to the man, and
then he came back to me and told me he
was going to give up the grocery trade
and take to preaching. And he asked me
to marry him at once and start tramping
round the country preaching like Father
Francis himself
And begging for aims. / suppose. sub
scriptions to the cause. know these fell
lows. Alice. Tell Harry 1 want to see
him tomorrow at half-past two
There's TO be no begging: Lady Betty
He's to have sixteen shillings week.
paid regularly on Fridays. He was get
ting thirty-four with Bland.
What is this Father Francis like?"
asked Lady Betty. after a pause. Does
he seem to be genuine?
1T seems to me. Lady Betty. as though
he were mad. He said the most awful
things about everything AS for charity
and good works, he laughed at them. He
said that the only hope Tor England
would come through change in the
minds of people. and not from any out
side charity. l don't understand him,
Lady Betty. But he's terribly in earnest.
He frightened me-.
Tall. with long black hair and beard;
and his eyes are awful, Lady Betty. 1
think he must be mad And he was
dressed funnily and his feet were bare.
Yet there is something about hlm-l don't
know what il is-but l felt for a moment
as though should like TO help him. He
seemed so much alone. 1t was like one
man defying the whole world
Poor fellow said Lady Betty. but
he will do a lot of harm If he takes young
fellows away from their work. I've
known several religious revivals, but they
have all left less mark on the world than
any quiet scheme of practical charity.
1T is not only the poor he wants to
help, Lady Betty 1t is every One-rich,
weIl-to-do beggars, every one. He says
that money is now the god of the whole
world
Il am not sure that he Is not right"
said Lady Betty. with sign, yet those
who have ii can do good to their less
fortunate fellows. 1t is no use shouting
and preaching about II. The best thing
toe do is to go quietly. try and help the
suffering and the poor do what little one
can In this world of sorrow aud sin"
He said that charity did no real good.
and never would long as every one
looked on money as the chief thing in
life"
Il think he is wrong" said Lady Betty.
thoughtfully Il am sure he is wrong.
1 must speak to Harry. You must see
him tonight and tell him to call here at
haIf-past two tomorrow without fail. l
think l shall be able to persuade him to
give up this mad idea.
1T would break my heart. sObbed the
We thought of being married next year.
He was going to get rise of salary in
two months time. And l have been saw
ing now you've been so good to me. 1t
seems so hard. Lady Betty
Has he broken off the engagement %
MOO" stammered the girl Il told
you. Lady Betty. he wants me to come
with him. We shall have no home-just
the bare necessaries of life. We shall
sleep anywhere. perhaps in a barn or by