Evening star., 1908-01-13

and had promptly torn the play up and
scattered the fragments out OF the WIN
dow of his boarding house. That was
two days ago. The curious lassitude
which followed the acces OF passion was
probably increased by the senior warden 8
reproaches. But Sam believed himself
entirely Indifferent both to his literary
Neither was in his mind as he climbed the
hill, and halted for a wistful moment at
the green gate in the hedge; but he had
no glimpse of Mrs Richie.
He found his grandfather sitting on the
veranda behind the big white columns.
reading aloud, and gesticulating with one
hand:
But IL proud Mortimer do wear this crown
Heaven turn it to a blaze OF auenchless IRE!
Or like the snaky wreath OF Sisiphon--
He looked up irritably at the sound of a
step on the weedy driveway, then his
eyes snapped with delight.
"Hullo-hullo! what's this?'
Il had to come back. grandfather
Sam said.
well! well.' said Benjamin Wright,
his whole face wrinkling with pleasure.
Had to come back? Money gave out
I suppose? Sit down. sit down! Hi, Sim
mons! D-n that nigger. Simmons. here
| Master Sam. What have you got for sup
per? Well. young man. did you get some
sense knocked into you?" He was trem-
bling with eagerness. MarloWe. IN worm
porch floor. Sam picked the book up and
| sat down.
IF you wanted some more money. why
| the devil didn't you say so?''
Il had money enough SIR
"Well-what about the drama?" his
grandfather demanded
| He said 1t was no good"
WHO said 1t was no good?' Mr. Wright
pulled OFF his hat, fercely. and began to
chew orange skin. Sam, vaguely turning
| he af ho
| knee. mentioned the name of a publisher
''Fool!" said Benjamin Wright: what
| does he know? Well, / hope you didn't
waste time over him. Then who did you
| send 1t tor
Nobody
Nobody! What did you do with t?'
"Oh. tore II up Sam said patiently.
! His grandfather fell back In his chair
speechless. moment later he told Sam
he was not only fool. but a d
'Supper's ready. suh,' said Simmons
"Glad you're back. Master Sam. He
amt lookin' peart, suh?" Simmons added
confidentially to Mr.. Wright
well. you get some of that Madeira
'12." commanded the old man, pulling
himself up from his chair. Sam. you are
born idiot. aren't you? Come and have
some supper. Didn't tell you you might
| have to try a dozen publishers before you
found one who had any sense? Your ex'
perience just shows they're fool lot
i
a-mercy!" He grinned and swore alter.
nately. and banged his hat on to his heae
| SO that his ears f1attened out beneath the
brim like two red flaps.
| They sat down at either end of the
| dining-room table, Simmons standing al
one side, his yellow eyes cleaning witt
interested affection and his fiy-brush OF
long peacock feathers waving steadily
even when he moved about with the de.
| canter.
i c.
and drank his glass Of II Madeira with
as much appreciation as II 1t had beer
water.
"Ive got new family Mr.. Wrigh,
declared. Simmons, unhook that SECOND
cage and show him the nest. Look al
Simmons, you didn't chop that egg fine
enough. Do you want to kill 'em all:
A niger has no more feeling for birds
| than cat.
| Il done chop it. as
Hold your tongue!" said Mr.. Wright
amiably Here: take that" He fumblet
in his vest pocket. and the peacock
! feathers dipped dangerously as Simmoni
| caught the expected cigar. Come. come
young man. haven't you had enough te
Simmons, you freckled Niger! Come out
on the porch and tell me your wander.
ings. Ulysses"
The boy was family impressed by his
grandfather g attentions, ne 1elt tnat M
was welcome, which gave him a vague
sort of pleasure. On the porch, in the
hot dusk. Benjamin Wright talked: once
or twice. apropos of nothing. he quoted
some noble stanza. apparently for ths
| Joy of the rolling numbers. The fac
! was, he was full of happiness at his
grandson's return, but he had had so lit
| tie experience in happiness that he die
not know how to express 1t. He asked 8
good many questions and received apa
| thetic answers.
Have you got any notes of the drama? p
mo. sir"
"Doggone your picter!-
:" Then sing, ye BIRDS sing. sing a joyous song
| And let the young lambs bound
| As to the tabors soundP
So you made up your mind to come
home?"
II had to come back" Sam said.
Ito be Continued Tomorrow