Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-11-25
CHAPTER XXXIv.
The Fiye-Bar Gate.

1T may interest you young people to
know" the bishop was saying in the IL
brary. that Annie Laurie-you know she
was the daughter Of Sir Robert Laurie
of Maxwellton. and-er-she married an
ancestor of mine"
REALLY, Tell us about her.. exclaimed
Betty, leaning forward eagerly.
I'm afraid there isn't much to tell, eX-
cept that she did not marry the poor
young man-what was his name?-who
wrote those tender verses about her."
.She didn't" frowned Bob, while Miss
Thompson watched him with rogu1sh
smile.
NO. She married my ancestor. nave
always had the deepest sympathy for that
unappreciated poet"
Young Baxter nodded wisely.
Perhaps he'd have been more appre-
ciated if he hadn't been so much of
poet. While he was making rhymes to
Annie Your ancestor got busy with the
girl, and the first thing MIR: Poet knew
the other fellow had landed her.
''Ha, ha, ha," chuckled the preiafe
THAT sounds like one of your father
remarks.
Speaking of father Bob glanced at
his watch I'm expecting him up from
town on this next train. l hope nothing
detains him..
Il hope not" said the churchman. ear
nestly. Il have been looking forward to
seeing my dear old friend. and-er-l
wanted him to be present in case this de-
tective reports anything that seems-er-
important"
Exactly" agreed the young man.
At this moment Merle entered, looking
pale and anxious, and, bowling respect
fully to the bishop. he went close to BaX-
ter and said something in low tone.
oh All right. I'll see him." nodded
Bob Then to Betty and his lordship: IF
you'll excuse me. 1-er-there's little
matter | must attend to-. And he hur-
ried off, followed by Horatio.
"Oh, Mr.. Merle, May l speak to you
moment" called the bishop.
Horatio turned and faint flush spread
over the ashen gray of his thin face.
Yes. your lordship.
Bunchesters eyes rested for moment
on the curate in kindly solicitude. then,
with rudy smile, he turned to Betty.
Il must tell you. Miss Thompson, that
HOratio Merle and l are friends of long
standing, and naturally, when he came
to my bedroom this afternoon with tray
of tea and tOast-exquisitely served,
must say was somewhat surprised. and
-er-after a little talk. l became ac-
quainted with the unusual and-er-inter-
esting position that Mr.. Merle has chosen
to occupy i'm this household
AS the prelate went on his manner be-
came more and more serious. until now,
turning to the astonished and abashed
Horatio. he addressed him with all the
impreSSiveneSS of his SOnOrOuS voice ana
his full episcopal dignity.
'Mr. Merle. YOU probably do not realize
how deeply l was affected by what you
told me this afternoon ! wish to shake
hands with YOU. sir and say. both as
Your bishop and a fellOWman, that Il
respect you and honor YOU for the fine
simplicity and manliness you have shown
here at Ipping House in accepting. l may
say in seeking. rather-er-humiliatin
position. 1 doubt. sir. il there is another
clergyman in my diocese who would be
capable OF such an act of Christian self
effacement'
II thank your lordship.' murmured
Horatio retreating awkwardly toward the
door.
Wait, / haven't finished. Mr.. Merle.
you have builded better than YOU knew.
1t happens that my old friend, DR.. Dib-
BILE, the rector of ST. TimOthy'S, in Up
pingford. has become so infirm that We
are about to retire him on a pension. The
living is in my hands, and it is my inten-
ton. sir. in fact. ii is my absolute deci-
sion, to offer it to you.
Horatio was SO overcome by this eX-
traordinary good news that for some mo-
ments he could not speak word Was
it possible? He. poor curate. who had
made a failure of everything. suddenly
lifted TO this splendid height? He the
rector of st. Timothy's? He, Horato
Merle?
''Oh. your lordship.'' he stammered.
There is fine old rectory with five or
six acres of land and the prettiest rose
garden in Kent. l am sure you and your
wife will be very happy there
Your lordship. II thank your lord
ship. II would add"
Horatio stood quite still. holding a few
strands of his side whiskers between an
agitated thumb and forefinger. He open
ed and closed his mouth several times.
and then, in a tumult of suppressed feel
ing, he hurried from the room.
Just as he was closing the door Betty
few after him.
"Oh. Mr.. Merle, 1 am so happy, l con-
graduate You with all my heart.
She clasped his hand impusively with
such sweetness and genuineness that the
good mans confusion was made more
complete. if that We're possible.
Thank YOU, Miss Thompson thank
you. Please don't say any more. II
must go. must tell my wife,
Horatio FASTENED away. his eyes shin
ing with tears of joy.
And now there came bad quarter of
an hour for Elizabeth Thompson. 1t was
evidently her duty to tell the bishop i'm
mediately. without losing a moment, about
the stolen money. This was her oppor-
tunity to tell him; she was alone with
him and-she must tell him. And yet she
could not speak. She had promised Hes
ter Storm to say nothing until after
Grimes had gone. She had promised
falthfully, and-fOr the mOment-her lips
We're sealed.
Bishop" she began. and in her eyes
there was the shadow of impending
trouble.
Yes, my dear. Sit down." He made
room for her beside him on the daven-
port
There's something I've wanted to
speak to you about-that is
II understand, my dear" he anticipated
You have reference to that unfortunate
affair on the train? You know l came
here today for the express purpose of-er
that is to say, l shall be glad to obtain
in fact, the detective urged me to get
from YOU, any information you can give
regarding that painful occurrence
Butt wanted to ask you
She paused. biting her lips, and the
prelate went on serenely.
Il have been told of your very great
kindness to the suspected young woman
who was I'm the carriage with us. I feel
sure you acted in sweet, plying spirit,
but YOU can hardly realize, my child, as
one in my position does, the unwisdom of
accepting too readily the uncontirmed
statements of-er-shall l say plausible
strangers. BY the way, do you happen
Regain
"Why-shc told me-she spoke OF living
in New York. and-I think she was-go-
ing back there
Betty's distress of mind was so evident
that the bishop must surely have noticed
ii had it not been for the sudden en-
trance OF Bob Baxter, whose pale face
and disturbed manner showed that some
thing SeronS had hannanod