The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-01-19

daughters. Mrs. Harris had reQuisi-
toned Jimsy SIN this services before
she descended flbm the mountains.
There was a lot to do on their ar
rival. Would he mind attending to
this and that for them, end would be
meet them7 Jimsy duly attended to
this and that, met them In his old
genial way. saw them installed in their
home. dined with them, as per Mrs.
Harris schedule-and, although the
winter was well advanced. had never
been there since, except to make a
brief call at Christmas.
At each of these visits Emma had
thrilled at sight of him and at the
sound Of his voice. 1t was with tmid-
fly that she had extended her hand to
him, but neither by pressure Of his
clasp nor by any sign Of manner, ex-
preston or intonation had he given
indication Of remembrance that their
secret was known to each other. He
was the same quiet, kindly unchsnge-
able Jimsy. BY her alone was his pro-
longed absence understood. Mrs. Har-
ris and Beth finally attributed 1t to
equal footing his employer, Captain
Williams, who had taken Jimsys place
as extra member Of the family and
usurped all his prerogatives.
To Emma the captain was no longer
an object of fear and detestation. She
knew that his affection was purely pa
ternal, and he knew that she under
stood him as no one dead or living
ever had or did. She manifested her
appreciation of his regard by conf
dence which was to the old fellow
comfort and huge delight. Not that
his delight took a demonstrative form;
that was not In his nature, and Emma
would have been greatly astonished
conld she have known what a boon to
him her frank friendllness was.
The fact was that his good deed to
Emma had been the first striking ef-
feet of a softening process that had
been going on very, very slowly, SO
slowly as not to be noticeable TO any
extent. for several years, which began
when he had been admitted to the
family circle of his late general man
ager and with which, all unconscious
ly, Emma had had good deal to do.
He had anchored himself to the family
as his one connection with refinement
and home life. But it had been a
cautious anchoring, maintained with
distrust and carrying with 1t no reci-
procity in the shape of business or any
other favors. A fighter who had got
nothing out Of existence without fight
ing, ever on the alert to forestall an
expected treacherous blow. his hand
had flown to his hip pocket, so to
speak. at the slightest movement that
appeared to him to be suspicious.
As time wore on. however, his dis
trust had vanished, and Mrs. Harris anC
her daughters had become a necessity
to him. He was being civilized. He
preferred Emma to the others, which
is saying that she was the person he
liked best on earth, but his manner OF
showing it had been repellent because
misunderstood. In the first place she
had hated him for his supposed injus
tice TO her husband. whereas, having
read Brooks through from the start
he despised him and would not helI
him even to make her lot easier. Wher
ACd W dhGLtN hAoll uolB DoebAAAb "ANA 49,
willingness to believe that his higl
estimate of her had been unmerited
had caused him to try her out relent
lessly on the occasion of her appea
for Brooks, alone with him and a
his mercy in his rooms, she had seeI
that a warm heart, full Of pure re
gard for her, beat beneath his forbid
ding exterior. From that night sh
had learned to respect him and Judg
him at his real value. His actions ant
idiosyncrasies received at last thei
true Interpretation.
AS for VILLA ms, the proof that
had not been deceived In her fortifie
his faith and made him really happy
He was getting old. Ee had won hl
hard fought, lifelong battle with tn
world and was as rich as he cared
be. The devi was disposed to tur
monk. The yearning for affection. nc
demonstratlve, but existent, which cam
with the approach of life's sunset an
which was not to be found elsewher
was gratihed there. He put on Sill
pers, smoked his pipe, had his favorit
chair. expressed his Views In his al
thoritative way and liked to be col
suited.
But he never ceased to be impresse
with the ostentatious procliyities an
aristocratic airs of Mrs. Harris an
Beth, though he laughed indulgently
many Of the mothers foibles. TO hi
the two women represented the bea
monde and were authorities on all thi
pertained thereto. He deemed 1t
privilege TO place one of his autom
biles at the famlly's exclusive cor
mand, and it was the most luxurioI
vehicle money could buy. That he d
not give 1t outright was because
knew their circumstances would n
enable them 10 maintain It.
Emma was different from her mot
er and sister. She never gave herse
airs. He felt himself nearer 10 ht