Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-19
CHAPTER XVI.
HOW the Money
N CON Rose


render the silence more profound by contrast. 1t
was indeed, night wherein pixies, and elves,
ard goblins and fairies might weave Their magic
spells, night wherein tired humanity dreamed
those dreams that sc n so hopelessly impossible
by day.
And, over all, the Moon rose high and higher,
in solemn majesty, filling the world With her pale
loneliness, and brooding over it like the gentle
goddess she is. Even the distant dog seemed to
feel something of all this; for after futile bark
or two, he gave it up altogether, and was heard
no more.
And Bellew, gazing up at Luna pale serenity.
smiled and nodded, as much as to say, you'll
dol" and so stood leaning upon his spade listen
ing to:
That deep hush which sigh
Breathed by Earth to listening Sky.
Now, all at once, upon this quietude there rose
a voice appraised in fervent supplication; where
FORE treading very softly, Beew came, and,
peeping round the hayrck, beheld Small Porges
on his knees He was equipped for travel and
the perils of the road; for beside him lay stick,
and tied to this stick bundle that bulged
with his most cherished possessions His cheeks
were wet with great tears that gl1stened IN the
moonbeams; but he wept with eyes tightly shut,
and with his small hands clasped close together,
and thus he spoke, albeit much shaken, and HIM
dered by sobs:
al s'pose you think bother you an awful lot,
dear Lord, an SO do; but you haven't sent the
Anthea's got to leave Dapplemere, if | don't
find the fortune for her soon. know I'm crying
a lot, an real men don't cry; but it's only cause
I'm awful lonely an disappointed, an nobody
can see me- so it doesn't matter. But, dear Lord,
I've looked an looked everywhere an | haven't
found single sovereign yet, an I've prayed to
you an prayed to you for the Money Moon, an
its never come. So now, dear Lord, m going
to Africa, an | want you to please take care OF
my Aunty Anthea till come back. Sometimes
fn oct
up to YOU, cause of the clouds an wind; but to-
night there isn't any, so, if they do reach you,
please-oh please let me find the fortune, and,
if you don't mind, let-him come back to me,
dear Lord mean my Uncle Porges, you know
An now that's all, dear Lord; so amen"
AS the prayer ended Bellew stole back, and,
"a coming to the gate of the rickyard, leaned
there waiting And presently, as he watched, he
saw a small figure emerge from behind the big hay
and come striding manfully toward him, his b
upon his shoulder and with the moon shining brig
his curls.
But all at once Small Porges saw him and sto
and the stick and bundle fell to the ground and lay
lected.
4Why-my Porges!" said Bellew, trife huskily
haps "Why, Shpmate!7 and he held out his h
Then Small Porges uttereda cry, and came run
and next moment Big Porges had him in his arms
ooh, Uncle Porges! Then you-have come ba
me!7
ave, aye, Shpmate!'
"Why, then-my prayers did reach'
"Why, of course: prayers always reach, my Por
"Then, oh-do you s'pose l shall find the fo
too"
@Not a doubt of just look at the moon!'
"The-moono'
"Why, haven't you noticed hover peculiar
tonight
PECULIAR" repeated Small Porges breathlessly,
ing to look at it.
@Why, yes, my Porges, -big you know, and
yellow, like-er-lke very large sovereign"
"Do you mean-oh, do you mean its the"
here Small Porges choked suddenly and could only
his question
"The Money Moono Oh, yes-there she is at
my Porges. Take good look at her: l don't SUI
we shall ever see another
Small Porges stood very still, and gazed up a
moons broad, yellow disk, and as he looked the
welled up in his eyes again, and great sob broke