Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-04-23
in THE EXTENSION COURSE
BY ROBERT G. v. MEYERS.

You did not tell me that Mrs. Hamp-
ton employed a secretary" she said. Il
think 1 might be told few things now
and then
Hampton sighed desperately.
After I left the house." he explained,
Il suppose she had to get some one to
look after things I used to attend to for
her. She has known the young lady a
long whole, and
oh" Beatrice said coIdly, so it is
young lady? l suppose you have known
her a long while. too. What IS she like"
He told her about Polly Carrot. and
how he had seen her a couple Of times
since she had been in his mothers en-
ploy.
"And she sympathizes with YOU" he
ended 1T is because she thinks my
position ridiculous that ] mean to get
something to do.
He saw his mistake soon as the
words had left his lips.
ARTHUR she said, the position is
ridiculous. We cannot go on like this.
Your mother is treating me abominably-
For what does she take me? You should
induce her to receive me if you have
any affection for me. People must no
longer agree with her that l threw my
self at your head. You know that Charley
Rex was almost engaged to me when you
interfered and-no, I don't mean to accuse
you Of anything mean, l never do. Only.
Charley Rex called on me today, and /
could see that he, too-sympathizes with
secretary, and explain matters to her In
no eQuivocal terms Write to her tonight.
Tell her that you must see her tomorrow
you owe that much to me- and her fan
broke in her hand.
Hampton went to the club and wrote
the letter, and sent it by messenger.
The following afternoon he went to his
mothers house. He was expected. and
instead of ushering him into the drawing
room Perkins told him that his mother
was up in her dressing room.
You know the way. Mr.. Arthur the
old fellow said genially.
Hampton went slowly up the scarlet
steps. The passage through the house Inn
pressed hint was his old home, every
thing was SO familiar and restfu after
these months of feverish disuuetude.
The door Of his. mothers dressing room
was open. A faded face was directed his
way. expectant, wistful.
arthur
He went to her, holding out his hand
Instead Of the old pride and haughtiness,
she was trembling and weak. She drew
his head down to her and kissed him.
And he had come to upbraid her.
She seemed to mistake the expression
on his face for one of shock at the change
in her appearance.
Never mind" she said, Il shall soon
be we'll again now. I look worse than
usual today because | have had one Of
my battles with Polly Carol. All. there
is a uuick-tempered girl for you. She
forced me to receive you, she has forced
me to see that you still have lingering
feeling for me. She tried to force me to
see-some other things he knew that
she referred to Beatrice AT any rate,
she has forced me to see that l was
wrong in bringing you up as have done,
and says that 1 ought to thank Provi-
dence that you have not gone to the dogs
with such training. My lawyers were
you are not too old to read law, IL you
care to do So AS 1t is, 1 Will allow you
three thousand year.
And Miss Carol is responsible for
this?" he demanded.
"All except the amount Of your allow
ance," answered his mother. She re-
fused to discuss that-she said 1t was
none of her business. But you are not to
live at home again. Polly has made me
see that / must not expect that until l
receive Miss Ash
(Which you will do?" he took her up.
THAT Ia why am here today"
She shook her head.
You must not expect too much at
once she told him. Il take back any
unkind remarks l may have made derog-
alive Of the young lady. but you mus:
not ask everything at once"
And So he retorted, Il have to thank
Miss Carol for all that has come
about?'' he laughed.
He went to Beatrice. Naturally. he did
not refer to the secretarys part in the
new arrangement
''You to read law" laughed Beatrice.
Nonsense. 1 will not have it-there Is
no necessity for you to act like a poor
Woman's son and work every day for
your living. And three thousand a year:
What will that do? You must see your
mother again and have the amount
doubled, at least
Il will do nothing Of the sort" he re-
piled. You do not know my mother, and
what these concessions have cost her
pride. Besides, l am not a beggar.''
II fear" she said, this might degener-
ate into a vulgar quarrel II we keep on.
Suppose you leave me now and think il
over"
He did so. But he concluded that his
mother had given in sufficiently, and that
he could not debase himself by making
undue demands upon her generosity.
In tho evening he told Miss Ash az
much. She slipped hoop Of brilliants
from her finger.
You do not mean it!' he said She
held tho hoop toward him.
NO" he said. Il will not take It,
will ask you what you asked me to do
this morning-I will leave you and let
you think it over"
He went to the club. The first man he
saw there was Charley Rex. He
thought he detected a covert smile on the