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

Ruffin grinned confidently. "Send
the chief of perice to Mrs. Bisland's
bo'din' house on east Forty-siX street
and tell him to ask fur James Ruffin
Clark" And he was off.
At the street and number engraved
on the card a morris chair was pushed
up to front window by the lily buy
er. A quarter to 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,swith a lily. bring him in here. y -
Enter Ruffin. crimson from. rapid
n,walking. but with the light of triumph
in his eyes. ''The bigrclock out yon-
det's jus strikin' 8. Mr. Marsehalk.s'e
: wen; Chipmunk. did yohr lady
friend take smell of it? Put the
flower there on that stand in the WIN
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."
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-
cf'ned it as 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 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 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 Il wonderful solOist
and 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 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.
ut seems" Mrs. Marschalk 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
a 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 it at pace.
Before three years were over he had
! got this poor girl to give him powers
of attorney, and it was only after be
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?" MarschalE
asked in queer voice.
mo. 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 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. wild. di
sheveled boy, almost pleading for help
Withers had been his roommate and
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, Marschalk
had mildly suggested some sort OF
guarantee or security for the large
sums. 1t was then that the mortgage
was given and accepted. A little while
longer and Withers had shuff1ed 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 a nervous laugh
Poor girl, pity her."
"Oh. you would indeed. Lloyd. If vol
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 AGAR
and again. Months had passed wheI
Marschalk. going up the now familiar
steps, met Ruffin coming down them
They stood together on Mrs. Bisland':
stoop. Marschalk extracted ten dol
lar bill from his pocketbook and held i
out to Ruff1n.
whats that fur, boss?"
For you to get new suit"
what fur. boss?"
Because you need it. Ruff, ant
because in way you were instrumen
tai in making ME know your friend
Miss Gertrude. She and are to b.