Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1914-04-11

/ clined it as n possession-AIiss Ger
trude Withers. "All right, Chlpmunk.
Now let's talk about james RufIin
Clark"
"Oh, he don't count for nuthin, sir"
said RuiIin with an easy laugh, which
sobered into an awestruck expression
rs IN elegant lady with big black eyes
and snowy white hair entered.
Marschalk rose to his feet. "Hel.
10. mater; this young gentleman
brought out your Easter lily"
1t was ut 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 IL wonderful sololst,
ana your sister wants your opinion Of
the girls voice think Mr.. Daven-
port, our organist, Is trying to interest
your sister in this young woman. She
is a fine musician and. having been
thrown on her own resources. has con-
ceived that it is easy to get pupils In
New York. At any rate, Miss Wlthers
is boarding in the same house as Mr..
Davenport. Cornelia is quite stirred
up about her."
Mnrschalk passed his cup.
at seems" Mrs. MarschallS pursued,
that this girl was joint heir and
owner of very fine cotton plantation
near Chattanooga with an older broth
er. The older brother must have been
scamp of the first water. He came
on to New York, leaving her living on
the plantation, where she had always
lived. 1t appears he went 1t at a pace
Before three years We're over he had
got this poor girl to give him powers
of attorney, and it was only after he
had the decency to dispose of himself
that she found out he had mortgaged
the plantation for more than 1t was
worth, and the mortgage was fore
closed, leaving her penniless"
'You did not happen to hear the
brothers name. mother?" Marschalk
asked in a queer voice.
"No, nor the name of the man into
whose pocket her home passed"
Marschalk was in his mothers pew
on that Easter Sunday. He listened
with a pleasure that verged upon pain
to the rich young voice that swelled
Above fhc grand organ notes in "Con
slider the Lilies" The voice was di-
vine. And-her name-was Withers!
NIarschalk's mind Travelled swiftly
backward to the time when Eugene
Wlthers stood before him, a wild, di.
sheveled boy. almost pleading for help.
Withcrs had been his roommate and
chum ut Harvard-a wild, reckless, un-
balanced boy. He got the help he ask
ed forgot 1t time and again until
with patience exhausted, Marschalk
had mildly suggested some sort of
guarantee or security for the large
sums. 1t was then that the mortgage
WIS given aud accepted. A little while
longer and Withers had shufiled OF re-
sponsbiiity with the mortal coil.
1t was perhaps week after hearing
that wonderful voice in church that
MarSchalk called on his sister Cornella.
well. what progress is your southern
friend making in the matter Of pu-
pils?' he asked with n nervous laugh.
Poor girl, pity her"
"Oh. you would indeed. Lloyd, if you
could only see her-the gentlest, pret-
test. most patient little thing. oh,
wish you could see heri'
He dill see her. lie saw her again
and again. Months had passed when
Marschalk. going up the now familiar
steps, met Rufiin coming down them.
They stood together on Mrs. Bisland's
stoOp. MarScllalk extracted ten dol
lar bill from his pocketbook and held 1t
out to Ruilin.
WHATS that fur, boss?"
''For You to get new suit"
what fur. bossT'
because you need 1t. Ruff, and
because in a way you were instrument
tai in making me know your friend,
Miss Gertrude. She and | are to be
married next month. Ruffin, and
don't want you to disgrace her In
church"