Evening star., 1909-06-14
CHAPTER XI-Continued.

Footsteps crossing the hall brought her
tale of wrong to an abrupt halt. Sne sal
up and furtively mopped her eyes. Tears
were so common and so easy a reief to
her that normally they left scant marx
of their presence. Caine rose and faced
the door; the distressed lover merging as
by magic into the bored, suave man OF
the world.
Reuben Standish's widowed sister-in-laW
glided into the room. diffusing an aura
of mild beneficence that struck Caine S
nerves to the raw. Her nearsighted eyes
turned as in lofty benediction upon the
lovers: her thick glasses diffusing and
magnifying the glance until it seemed 10
embrace all the visible world
Mr. Standsh on the death of her nus
band, came to keep house for her widow
er brother-in-law. She had brought with
her her orphaned grandnepheW, CHNe
(only son OF Letty's elder brother, long
dead), whose upbringing was at once her
chief visible claim to sanctity ana her
scriptural thorn in the flesh.
"Clive has been so bad again this even
ing" she said with a sigh. after distant
greeting to Game Il suppose these cross
es are sent TO us. But sometimes l am
nearly tempted to wonder why. 1 actual
ly caught him tacking his grandfather
slippers to the floor, where l mad lell
them. in front of the chifonler. IN MI.
Standish's room. / locked him IN 1he
nursery for an hour while l prayed 10
see my duty clear. And when / went 10
him. strengthened and inspired 10 MAKE
him see his fault, what do you thlnk
found him doing? The hardened boy was
actually drawing caricature, depicting ms
grandfather trying to walk in the tackled
down slippers. He had not even the
grace to hide it when he saw me coming.
There was nothing left for me to do out
to whip him. So have sent MIN OUT 10
cut a small stick"
Poor little chap" muttered Caine,
sitting a smile. He was fond of the boy,
who in turn idolized him.
Perhaps" went on Amzi. aloud, IF, in
stead of whipping him, you could let me
talk to him and explain
Aunt LYDIA" piped a voice from the
doorway 4 little Eton-suted boy with
a mop of yellow hair and sorrowful dark
eyes hesitated on the threshold.
coming into the room and walking
straight up to Mrs. Standish. I,
Where is the stick?" asked Nemesis.
her glasses rejecting less sanctity than
was their custom, as they sought a
glimpse of the hands Give held clasped
behind him.
I'm sorry" replied the boy, apologetic-
ally 1T was so dark ! couldn't find
stick. But" with a propitiatory smile,
as he brought his hands forward, here
are two stones you can throw at me In
stead. If you like"
Gaines laughter exploded, breaking in
with scandalous Intrusion upon the peni-
tential scene.
Mr.. Caine," said Mrs. Standish, her
coldly righteous rebuke rising above
Letty's milder reproval, Il think, per-
haps, for discipline's sake. it might be
well for you to end your call before you
do anything more to make this wicked
boy regard his fault as matter for
levity."
Caine glanced in humorous appeal to-
ward Lefty. But his fancee. as usual
In matters of family crisis, only stared
back in piteous fear.
Mr.. Caine." called Give. as the visitor
completed somewhat frigid adieux and
moved toward the door, Il am very sorry
I got you into trouble. I'm afraid Aunt
Lydia don't quite understand us men,