Evening star., 1914-11-15

Peter Van Stel.
She had CHANGED to see him walking, and had felt
swift instinct of pity for his loneliness Then she had
remembered and fiery of anger had risen in her
heart But moment later she had ceased entirely to
think of him: for child stumbling wearly over
the cobbles fall with weak cry her very feet.
She bent above it with low, answering cry. 1t was
a bov of five or SIX and it apparent that he
faint with hunger. His face white and pnched, and
his hands frail His clothes rags, but clean
rags. As she raised him in her she could feel the
cruel sharpness of his bones. And as she wondered
what she do she heard voice.
Can help YOU, MADAME" it said
1t was Peter Van Stel who spoke. He standing
with barred head beside her She drew herself still
with her arms about the child and in her deep eyes
there was contempt and superb resentment.
No. she said 81 think it is not for-yon to help
His eyes were her face. But should wish to do
so, he said gently.
You can help but you will not, she answered
The expression of his eyes changed in subtle fashion
as he heard heronly his eyes: the rest OF his face
seemed changelcss. But then she wondered. Just
for she wondered if indeed this grim, cruel
man possessed a heart that felt
Il see that you know me, Madam, he said
"An the town knows you'll she flashed.
And hates me, he added gently.
Have they not bitter cause?' she asked.
He made faint gesture with his shoulders that was
scarcely shrug God knows!7 he said. "He knows
all, and is for Him to judge. But the child is ILL.,
1T is faint with hunger, Sir, she said sterny And
there many such in Lanswik. >.
Il know that but too well, he answered somberly.
"Do you think that take joy from their pain?'
You end it when you please, she retorted.
Into his brooding eyes smile crept just for moment,
and then was gone you are a good hgher and partl-
z.n Madam he said you believe that the right
upon your side alone. And yet-aways there are two
sides | am not in this matter with light heart.
He spoke to her though she were child, and that
angercd her. Yet his with its grave kindiness
influenced hel against her will She found herself
1,J bar,
THAT may be-" she said But it is very well for
YOU While you wait in comfort and uphold your
theories children starve
THAT is true" he said almost absently. "God knows
that that is true' He drew gold piece from his
pocket Il beg you relieve the needs of this child,
Madam he said.
But she took the coin only to let it fall upon the
cobbes as though burnt her. The best of women
seldom resist their meodramaic instincts. Il will see
to the child, Sir, she answered coldly. And think
that we have spoken enough.
He stopped gravely and retrieved the coin She felt
fierce for him he pocketed it once more. She
might have respected him. very little if he had let
it lic
-Yes, see to the child, Madam he said mo doubt
it is better so. But would have you remember this:
We masters depend on the as they depend on us.
We stand or fall together"
at is they who fall she said. "You grudge them
a living wage!'
You have been misinformed, he answered gravely.
And they have been i'll advised. There is limit be-
yond which cannot GO
A TALL gaunt woman came gathering over the cob
bes and swept up the child in her arms. Il had
been seeking him. she cried and then with of
rage she recognized Peter Van Stel. "You! You! Do
dare look at my boy, cruel scum that you are!
Your ewes would blast him You poison the air around
youl Why does God permit you to curse this town.!
Her crude violence seemed to leave Peter Van Stel
unmoved "Such speech good purpose" he
SAID codly.
AVE- there you are right she screamed. 1--WE have