The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1911-08-29
CHAPTER xIx-contlnued

CHAPTER discontinued
For the dilettante philanthropists
who posed amid the picturesque
squalor OF the slnms he had only the
keenest shaft Of ridicule. It was his
insight that made those who we're
taking up the work in earnest seek
his advice. While he had not gone
into it in person, he was cognizant Of
every step taken, and often, by his
shrewd counsel, balanced the senti.
mentality of oyer.enthusfasm. =
The young men were waiting to
consult him as to the best way of
dealing with pair OF phtlanthropic
cranks who persisted in thrhstlng
themselves into the work. and Who by
their obtuseness, were undoIng the
best results Of the past year While
waiting for Derring and discussing
the situation, they had drtited into
talking OF his fitness for the work and
Of the strange delicacy that kept him
from It.
t"He stands ready enough to help
any of US fellows that come to him.
But l suppose that's Just it-these
people don't get In his way and We
do. Lucky for me, Idid!"
A laugh,rippled the undercurrent of
the speakers words. He was seated
in an ,ofice.chair, his, hat thrust back
a shock of reddish;brown hair rising
straight above the broad white fore
head. He lookedas II he might be
the driver Of an express cart or OF ]
any vehicle that rumbled and ratified.
In reality he was an artist Of much
promise. His sketches had In them
depth Of sentiment that gave even
greater promise than their technique.
Three years ago no one had believed
that heiwould ever be anything more
than a dabb1er in art. He had had
plenty OF money and was leading a |
free, deyil.niay.care life, sowing to the |
wind and comblacentIy looking for.
ward totthe' whirlwind. Now bis sue
cess was spoken Of as d Thing as-l
sufeG He had, as he put It, got fn1
behring's way" and, once there, hel
had found surrender easier than es-
cape.
Il wonder" he went on, thought
fully, what 1t is about him that holds
you so? He doesn't seem to do any
thing in particular. But somehow
after you once know him you can't
get along without him."
His companion sat lost in thought.
Il think It Is because Derring needs
u.s." he said at last
Needs us?"
YES. never knew man that
needed people as he does. He gives
himself and never asks. But love
like that must carry with TIA need. |
Il Derring so much as lays his hand
pA my arm, feel a power between
!ls-a sort of spiritual magnetism
that ! can no more resist than | can
resist my own heart. It somehow
asks as we'll as gives"
@oh. well, Conway. you're poet.
You can't expect a mere artist Ike
me to understand anything that can't
be put into black and white. But he's ,
good enough for me-" IN
For your philanthropic cranks,"
'aid Derring as they laid the case be.
ore him, ''youmust have an organlza.
lon" M -
They protested in one breath.
II know. You think that as soon as
movement has taken on organization
t has lost its vitality. That Is a mis-.
aiken view Of the case, my young
rlends. Organizations were invented
0 give employment to cranks, You'll
must make offices and put them In.
They will have so much to do run.
ling the Offices that they VIII ietl
the poor" alone for awhile. When al
movement is well under way II qhust3
ave an organization ais a .Iitepre.i
erver."
7 suppose II mus" sad the atel
st with sigh Can you help us
bout the constitution II we come
round tomorrow az
Come to my room at ten. I'll be
zee then"
They rose to go. But the poet
ngered minute
perring looked at him inqulrlngly.
ITS nothing,"he said, smiling, I'D
'as only wondering II might come
little early"
"To.night|
There's something I want to ask1
pl about-if ! may"
"of course. Come" He paused,
was going to take walk before
and he said. why Couldn't
Du-"
meet yoar
& tfe ~. S1 ,g,h " IL, y z sYq PHI