Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1915-09-14
The Miser
OF Havelock
How the Name Was Changed
to prince of Haveloek."
By CLARISSA MA0E

Is By CLARISSA MAcKE +
6xxxxsxA,s4a4a,s1s,sas,s,a,sas,s
Sally Birch glanced curiously at the
house set back among the dropping
elms. Her aunt saw the glance and
talked voluhly.
You remember I've written you
about the man who has taken the old
Havelock placer
"Yes," replied Sally. "You called
him an old miser. Really, Aunt Jane.
does he count his gold In a dusty. cob
webbed roomT'
Fiddler snorted Jane Gray. "of
course he doesn't do that! But he ia
80 stingy he won't give cent toward
any charity, and he even stays away
from church. Folks say he Is too
mean to put penny In the contribu-
don box"
Sally laughed indulgently. "Poor old
mani! she said. If he really knew
what his neighbors said about him do
you suppose he would summon pride
to his aid and give somethingT
T'm sure he would not" asserted
Jane, with emphasis. "Hes been ap-
preached by every one. even went
there myselfw
"And he refusedY' asked Sally.
eyes. he said, Madam, II I could
see my way clear to contribute toward
your church expenses I would do so,
but cannot afford it. said to him:
Mr.. Worth. don't conceal your mig
gardly nature behind a lie. Any one
who can afford to rent the Havelock
place must be a rich man."
What did he say thenT questioned
Sally.
"He grew very red. and don't won
der, and he said nothing whatever, for
I didn't give him an opportunity. /
came away"
Sally glanced once more through the
gateway. There was a gardener now
ing the velvety lawns From over the
hedge came the rich. sweet smell OF
lily Of the valley.
"When I was a little girl I used to
slip inside the gate and pick lilies OF
the valley" said Sally reminiscently.
"That was when the Havelocks lived
here" interposed Jane. There have
been many changes since you came to
visit me fifteen years ago. The Have
locks have become millionaires and
rarely come to Lyndbridge was sur
prised to learn they had rented the
place."
Sally's blue eyes watched the vanish
ing form Of the gardener. The clatter
Of the lawn mower died away IN the
distance.
"You 20 on, Aunt Jane" said the
girl. I'm going to get some lilies. l
shall be home almost as soon as you
are." she added as the trim little lady
protested. Even If he Is miser l
am sure old Mr.. Worth won't mind
my having a few flowers. Probably
be doesn't know they're here at all
I'm sure buttercups and dandelions
are his favorite blossoms. They're the
color Of gold, you know"
Sally waved laughing farewell ano
slipped through an opening TN the tall
clipped hedge.
"Ohy' she cried sharply, for man
confronted her.
He was sitting back on his heels
among the stiff green leaves OF the
lily bed, and in his hand was great
bunch Of the fragrant flowers.
There was hardly dainty blossom
left In the bed.
He was a very tired looking man,
with quite gray hair. His eyes were
brown and his eyebrows very black,
meeting symmetrically on the bridge
Of a very handsome nose.
He glanced coolly at Sally, and she
was conscious that the brown eyes did
not disapprove Of her dainty self.
Her usually sweet voice became very
cold and contemptuous.
81 came in to get few lilies," she
said as he rose to his tall height u
am sure Mr.. Worth would not care,
he has 80 many"
"My name is WORTH" he said, look
ing keenly at her.
your she cried incredulously.
"Then you heard what We were say
ing about your father, I suppose"
He nodded. MY father has been
dead for three years" A look Of pain
crossed his features and vanished In
q grim smile. II am James Worth
1 am the miser Of Havelock."
Sally's face was crimson with en-
barrassment, but she lifted a naughty
chin.
"You listenedr' she accused.
II couldn't help It These lilies had
to be picked. have promised them
by noon. They are for Miss Trents
wedding bouquet. You see, am e1.
planning why I cannot give them to
you"
"Ah, mol But I am glad that you
do not mind my trespassing," she said
hastily.
"I am afraid l would have objected
to your taking my flowers" he said
coolly. "You see, l am to be we'll paid
for this bouquet could not AFFORD
to give them away"
The contemptuous look came back tt
Sally's eyes
"Of cosese notv She moved towart
the open gate; it would be too undigni
fed to squeeze through his hedge again
The situation required q conventional
exit.
But fate ordained otherwise. Some
thing crunched under her little white
shoes.
my hat!' he cried tragically.
Sally dashed the tears away and sx
u1cated her foot from the ruined hat
She noticed that It was not a new hat
but q panama head covering Of tn
season before.
Sally had almost reached Aunt jane
house when she murmured:
"How white he was. he must hav'
a frightful temper. And all about
last years hat"
But she dismissed the unpleasant In