The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-03-31

about my lily?''
Rufin grinned confidently. "Send
the chief of perlice to Mrs. Bisland's
bO'din' house ON east Forty-six street
and tell him to ask fur James Ruttin
Clark" And he was off.
At the street and number engraved
OH the card morris chair was pushed
up to front window by the lily buy
er. A quarter to 3 by his watch-would
the Chipmunk show up? The doorbell
rang.
He called to the white capped maid
as she passed to open it. eff it is
tboy,=with lily. bring him in here" ~
Enter Ruffin. crimson from, rapid
twaIking. but with the light of; triumph
in his eyes. THE bigS clock ont yon-
,det's jus strikin' 8, Mr. Marschalk.''r
3 We'll, Chipmunk. did your lady
friend take smell of it? Put the
flower there on that stand in the VIII
dow. And did it make her well?'
81 don't know about 1t maxim her
we'll. sir. but she said it made her
glad. and then she bust out cryin'.
When Pm glad. | grins. Don't your
Invariably. Ruffin.''
Ruffin drew a crumpIed envelope
from the bosom of his faded blouse.
"And you asked ME her name. sir.
They'd just emptied the waste paper
baskets into the trash barrel in the
area. and this was on top" Mars
chalk glanced at the envelope. but de-
ciined it as a possession-Miss Ger
t1ude Withers. "All right, Chipmunk
Now let's talk about james Ruffin
Clark"
"Oh. he don't count for nuthin. sir ,
said Ruttin with an easy laugh. which
Sobered into an awestruck expression
as an elegant lady with big black eyes
and snowy white hair entered
MarSchalk rose to his feet. Hell
10. mater: this young gentleman
brought out your Easter lily
1t was at the luncheon table that
Marschalk's mother gave him mes
| sage: Lloyd, Cornelia sent you word
that she wanted you to be sure to
come to church tomorrow. You know
she is directing the music this year
They have secured wonderful sOlOist
and your sister wants your opinion OF
/ the girls voice. | think Mr.. Daven
port, our Organist, is trying to interest
is fine musician and. having beer
thrown on her own resources. has con
ceived that it is easy to get pupils il
New York. At any rate. Miss Withers
is boarding in the same house as Mr.
Davenport. Cornelia is quite stirred
up about her"
Marschalk passed his cup.
1T seems" Mrs. Marschalk pursued
that this girl was joint heir anC
owner of very fine cotton plantation
near Chattanooga with an older broth
er. The older brother must have beer
a scamp of the first water. He came
on to New York. leaving her living OF
the plantation, where she had always
lived. 1t appears he went it at pace
Before three years were over he haC
got this poor girl to give him power:
of attorney, and it was only after h'
had the decency to dispose of himself
that she found out he had mortgage(
the plantation for more than it wa
worth. and the mortgage was fore
closed, leaving her penniless."
You did not happen to hear tn
brothers name. mother?' Marschall
asked in u queer voice.
"No. nor the name of the man int
whose pocket her home passed"
MarSchalk was in his mothers pew
on that Easter Sunday. He listened
with pleasure that verged upon pail
to the rich young voice that swelleC
above the grand organ notes in Con
slider the Lilies" The voice was di
vine. And-her name was Withers.
Marschalk's mind travelled swift!
backward to the time when Eugene
Withers stood before him. wild. di
sheveled boy. almost pleading for help
Withers had been his roommate ant
chum at Harvard-a wild. reckless, un
balanced boy. He got the help he ask
ed forgot it time and again until
with patience exhausted, Marschall
had mildly suggested some sort o
guarantee or security for the larg
sums. 1t was then that the mortgag
was given and accepted. A little Will
longer and Withers had shuffled off re
sponsibility with the mortal coil.
1t was perhaps week after hearin
that wonderful voice in church tina
4 Marschalk called on his sister Cornelia
well. what progress is your southern
friend making in the matter of pu
pils?" he asked with nervous laugh
Poor girl, pity herr
"Oh. you would indeed. Lloyd. if 20
could only see her-the gentlest. pref
test. most patient little thing. Oh.
wish you could see herr
He did see her. He saw her agai
and again. Months had passed whe
Marschalk. going up the now familia
steps, met Ruffin coming down then
They stood together on Mrs. Bisland
stoop. Marschalk extracted ten do
lar bill from his pocketbook and held
out to Ruffin.
whats that fur, bossT
For you to get a new suit
what fur. boss?"
Because you need it. Ruff, ar
because in way you were instrumel
tai in making me know your frien'
Miss Gertrude. She and l are to
married next month, Ruffin. and