The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1914-04-16

cIined it as a possession-Miss Ger
trude Withers. "All right, Chipmunk.
Now let's talk about James Ruffin
Clark"
"Oh. he don't count for nuthin, SIR"
! said Ruffin 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 a 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 Our opinion of
the girls voice. l think Mr. Daven-
port, our Organist, is trying to interest
your sister in this young woman. She
! is 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 Withers
is boarding in the same house as Mr.
Davenport. Cornelia is quite stirred
up about her."
Marschalk passed his cup.
at seems" Mrs. Marschalk pursued.
that this girl was joint heir and
owner of a 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 Oh
the plantation. where she had always
lived. 1t appears he went it 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 it was
worth. and the mortgage was fore
closed. leaving her penniless."
You did not happen to hear the
brothers name. mother?" Marschalk
asked in Il 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 Il pleasure that verged upon pain
to the rich young voice that swelled
above the grand organ notes in Con
slider the Lilies" The voice was di-
vine. And-her name was Withers.
Marschalk's mind Travelled swiftly
backward to the time when Eugene
Withers stood before him, Il wild. di-
sheveled boy, almost pleading for help.
Withers had been his roommate and
chum at Harvard-a wild. reckless, I'M
balanced boy. He got the help he ask
ed forgot it 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
was given and accepted. \ little while
longer and Withers had shuffled off re-
sponsibility with the mortal coil.
1t was perhaps week after hearing
that wonderful voice in church that
Marschalk called on his sister COrnelia.
well, what progress is your southern
friend making in the matter of pu-
pils?" he asked with Il nervous laugh.
Poor girl, pity herr
"Oh, you would indeed, Lloyd. if you
could only see her-the gentlest. pref
test. most patient little thing. Oh, l
wish you could see herr
He did see her. He saw her again
and again. Months had passed when
Marschalk, going up the now familiar
steps, met Rutfin coming down them.
They stood together on Mrs. Bislands
stoOp. Marschalk extracted Il ten dol
lar bill from his pocketbook and held it
out to Ruffin.
whats that fur, boss?
For you to get Il new suit"
what fur. bosS?'
Because you need it. Ruff. and
because in Il way you We're 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"