Evening star., 1912-11-04

Hiram. as the curate resumed his seat.
III come down TO cases We're mem
/ bers o. the same family and we've got
to stand together"
'Ah!' approved Harriet.
Just now IL happens that ! need Your
help. I've got big resources. but I'm IN
a hard campaign. I've got my back TO
the wall fighting for my life and-well.
We'll come through all right and you'll
benefit with me, but for while We've
| got to cut down on expenses and-er-
The bolt was about to fall. the words
We're on Hirams lips: You people1i
| have to do some work., but, as he look
ed into the faces before him. pathetic, in
! credulous. the old fellow weakened. You
people'll have to--er-give this thing your
-er-serious consideration" he substi-
! tuted.
| But the countess understood. and with
little laugh and shrug of her shapely
! shoulders she came straight>to the point.
/ You mean Well have to = have to-
work.
/ Hidam nodded slowly.
Understand, there's no hurry about
! this l want to treat ye right l want
/ to help ye. l want to see yer faces
bright and yer needs provided for. but !
/ can tell We this from long experience.
| that the thing in my life that's made me
/ happiest is the honest work I've done.
/ Remember, things so on here in lppine
/ House just the same, whatever you folks
| decide. II ye can't think OF anything
stand by We as well l can but IL ye
could think O. something that yer fitted
| to do and could put Yer heart In, why II
would solve your problems and it'd help
| solve mine. You'll be sore on me for a
| while like the kid that sputters and
| kicks and swallers quart Of water when
you chuck him in a pond to learn him to
| swim"
| Good heavens, you're not going to
Chuck us in a pond? Eth, what?
gasped Lionel.
NO, no. / mean work is like swim
min. Ye hate it until ye learn how and
then yer crazy about 1t. Why, you peo-
ple'll feel just fine when ye'vc cut out
this bluff and fake business. Do We know
| what little useful work ii do? It'll make
men and women OF ye.
Hiram reflected a moment.
| Il suppose there are things you folks
could do. If We had to, plenty o. things.
Maybe I'm mistaken. maybe it's crazy
Here suddenly the curate spoke. ~
think Mr.. Baxter is quite right" he be-
gan. in a low tone. vibrant with feeling
''Horatio!" glared Mrs. Merle, but the
little man faced her calmly.
My dear. | beg you not to interrupt
Then turning to the master of the house:
Speaking for myself" he continued.
land not for the relatives gathered here.
1 wish to say that in view of your great
past kindness, my dear Mr.. Baxter / feel
that you are justified. fully justified. in
asking us to help you meet the serious
and, let us hope, temporary difficulties
that beset you. And / would remind the
relatives gathered here of King Solomons
beautiful and impressive words: Whose
keepeth the fig tree shall eat the fruit
thereof, and whose waiteth on his mas
ter shall be honored.
There was a moment of uncomfortable
silence Disappearing as they were. and
bitterly disappointed. the relatives, In
spite of themselves, were impressed by
a moral strength
this gentle utterance.
king Solomon certify knew his bust
ness approved Hiram. as much surprised
as the others at this turn of affairs.
"And l beg to suggest, proceeded
Merle. appealing now to the astonished
J group, ''as the least important and the
least worthy person here. yet one who
!, has sincerely at heart the welfare of all.
| l venture to suggest that before any
hasty words are spoken or any irrevoca-
, BILE action is taken by the relatives gath
cred here. l would suggest | say. that
the relatives withdraw to their rooms or
elsewhere for little--er-thought and
shall I say sef-examination?
Good idea, Fine idea!' nodded Bax-
ter. and a moment later, with quizzical
look in his CHEEKY blue eyes. he watched
the re atives file out silently. one by one.
a mighty sore bunch he reflected, mouths
down and noses up. Horatio going last
and bowling respectfully to Hiram as he
closed the door behind him.
For some moments the old man sat in
the corner of the davenport, smiling at
this latest development. Who would have
thought of it. The Rev. Merle cham
pion of honest labor! Standin up like a
little bantam rooster against them rela-
tiveS!
Presently Bob entered. eager for news
.'Weli?" inquired the son.
Bob" drawled the big fellow, Til
/ bet We four dollars and quarter King
Solomon wrote them proverbs o. his after
he'd been worked by relatives. Say. with
a thousand wives he must have had an
| everlasting lot of 'em,
An hour later the luggage cart appear
| ed for the three large boxes. the two
steamer trunks and the assortment of
| gladstone bags, hold-als and dress suit
| cases that Eleanor had caused To he
packed for their brief and simple sojourn
In Brighton. Some of these things. it is
| true, belonged to Betty, whose services
We're required by Mr.. Baxter, aad who
now appeared, ready for the journey,
radiant summer vision. all in white eN-
| cept for bunch of pansies at her waist
and a graceful pale-blue plume I'm tie
| wide brinmed straw hat that becoming
ly shaded her eyes.
| Presently the car drew up at the door
coughing and sputtering. with Bob BaN-
ter at the wheel. Hiram sat in front be-
side his son. Eleanor and Betty on the
| seat behind. And, just they were
| starting, Kate Clendennin tripped down
the steps, and, declining to squeeze in
| among the bags and bund es. leaped light
| ~ upon the IOOJDoaTu dt BOD y Siue ana
| remained there, despite Eleanors pro-
| test, all the way to the station.
4 Poor Betty! There was a moments
delay in starting the train. after the
| guard had given the signal and SIAM
| med the doors, and the banished secre-
i tary, looking backward through the win
| dow, caught glimpse Of the motor as ii
/ rounded the nasturtium bed Kate was
on the front seat next to Bob. and they
| both looked back, the countess laughing
| and waving her hand. Then the car
1 turned a wooded corner, and that was
| the last picture-Kate and Bob together.
| close together gliding swiftly. perhaps
| slowly through those leaf-arched lanes
| and delicious lonesome glades of the for
est They had taken the longer way
1 home but there was time enough-there
! was not the slightest need for Kate and
| Bob to hurry.
/ (To. be continued tomorrow.)