Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-04

The Colonel deliberated for long time, |
and Burrnah feared that he was going to re-
fuse; then, as if he had weighed the subject |
impartially, the Colonel said, ayes, I'll |
promise it to you; but I'll be hanged if I'd
promise as big a sacrifice as that to any other
man on earth!'
Bur1nah stood to his feet YEARLY, con-
WINGED that the time was inopportune to de-
mand more, and looked out over the terrace.
The Colonel had stated a truth in one re-
spect,-that he had abundant acreage re-
manning if ever the railway came. For once
in his life Burmah had been unselfsh; for
none of this land was subdivided, and there
fore he could expect nothing from its revenue.
He was sick at heart from fear that the
Colonel could not be restrained, and that the
inevitable crash and collapse would find him
penniless and unprepared. He looked I'M
certainly around him, and then caught at
another idea. He would bring all the in
fuence he could bear to keep the Colonel
from squandering anything further. He
would appeal to Arabella, and he would en-
list the boys from Chattanooga. He would
browbeat Hubbard into sensible acceptance
of deferring everything, and would himself
constantly warn the Colonel in every pos
sible way.
II think" he said, @that I ought to talk
to Miss Arabella for awhile; so you'll excuse
me, won't you, Colonel"
And the Colonel, nothing 1oath to solitude
for the important business of thinking over
marble opera house, was quite agreeable.
PURMAH wandered into the house and
- out to the lawn, where he family heard
the broken words and sentences of an ami
mated conversation, and this he traced to
new summerhouse, built with crude log sup
I,hh or how
joined the quartet, was there paying court
to Arabe11a, and was expatiating on the
value of classical designs as compared
with modern atrocities. His long hair was
tossed back, his poetic eyes were glowing
like Goals, and his white, graceful hands
were gesturing rapidly to emphasize his ar
gu1nents. All the others, duly impressed,
were gazing at him spellbound as he volleyed
sentences at them on his theory of beautifi-
cation He checked himself as he saw the
square shape of the Kansan in the entrance,
the conversation by politely asking Arabella
if the three weeks were up yet.
almost she declared; "but perhaps |
shall have to extend the time"
That's something that needs talkin'
over" said Burrnah mockingly. 4And as
the times so short 1 think I'd like to have
YOU walk around this whole lawn once with
me, where we won't be bothered by any of
these old gentlemen.
Beneath all his bantering and assumption
of gaiety she knew intuitively that some seri-
Gus purpose was in him, and that he wished
to talk with her alone.
4All right, l accept" she retorted, and
fastened over to take his arm. ANow mind |
you, all of you, she commanded, turning to
her admirers who stared at her, according |
to individual moods, none of you is invited, |
and you must wait here until | come back.
Bur1nah walked with no uncertain step |
along path that led to a stone seat near |
the edge of the cliff on the side of the PENN |
sula opposite the house, and as he went he
passed nothing but comments on the i'm
provements that had been made in the
grounds At the bench he beckoned her to |
a seat, and she saw that his face was grave
and thoughtful.
aMiss Arabella, he said bluntly, what l |
want to talk about is your father. Some
body ought to try and keep him from BLOWN |
in every copper that he gets as fast as he
gets it. Do YOU know what he's goin' to |
do nowo Build a city hall! Lord Almighty! |
If this keeps up, he'd better begin to build |
nice poorhouse SOS he'll have some place to |
fall into when this boom's busted. l want |
you to help me"
She looked up at him with troubled face