Bridgeton pioneer., 1915-09-16
The MiSer
OF Havelock
How the Name Was Changed
to Prince of Haveiock."
By CLARISSA MACKIE

Sally Birch glanced curiously at the
house set back among the dropping
elms. Her aunt saw the glance and
talked volubly.
You remember I've written you
about the man who has taken the old
Havelock place"
YES" replied Sally. ''You called
him an old miser. Really, Aunt Jane,
does he count his gold in q dusty, cob
webbed room?'
Fiddler snorted Jane Gray. "Of
course he doesn't do that But he is
so stingy he won't give a cent toward
any charity, and he even stays away
from church. Folks say he is too
mean to put penny in the contribu-
ton box"
Sally laughed indulgently. Poor old
manr' she said. "If he really knew
what his neighbors said about him do
you suppose he world summon pride
to his aid and give something"
I'm sure he would not" asserted
Jane, with emphasis. Hes been ap-
preached by every one. 1 even went
there myselfr'
"And he refusedT' asked Sally.
''Yes. He said, Madam, If l could
see my way clear to contribute toward
your church expenses l would do so,
but / cannot afford it.. I 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 q rich man."
what did he say then?" questioned
Sally.
"He grew very red, and don't won
der, and he said nothing whatever, for
1 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 l was little girl l 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 go on, Aunt Jane" said the
girl. I'm going to get some lilies. ]
shall be home almost as soon as you
are" she added as the trim little lady
protested. Even IL he is miser
am sure old Mr.. Worth won't mind
my having a few flowers. Probably
he 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 and
slipped through an opening in the tall
clipped hedge.
"Ohw she cried sharply, for a man
confronted her.
He was sitting back on his heels
among the stiff green leaves Of the
lily bed, and in his hand was a great
bunch Of the fragrant flowers.
There YES hardly a dainty blossom
left in the bed. 's&asssesvsS ~ as:s gzszs.sks
He was very tired looking man,
with quite gray hair. His eyes were
brown and his eyebrows very black,
meeting symmetrically on the bridge
of 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.
II came in to get few lilies" she
said as he rose to his tall height "I
am sure Mr.. Worth would not care,
he has so 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, suppose"
He nodded. my father has been
dead for three years." A look of pain
crossed his features and vanished In
a grim smile. II am James Worth.
l am the miser of Havelock."
Sally's face was crimson with en-
barrassment. but she lifted naughty
chin.
"You listened"' she accused.
Il couldn't help 1t. These lilies had
to be picked. | have promised them
by noon. They are for Miss Trent's
wedding bouquet. You see, 1 am ex-
planning why | cannot give them to
you"
"Ah, no! But 1 am glad that you
do not mind my trespassing," she said
hastily.
II am afraid l would have objected
to your taking my flowers" he said
coolly. you see, am to be well paid
for this bouquet. 1 could not afford
to give them away"
The contemptuous look came back to
Sally's eyes.
"Of course notw She moved toward
the open gate; it would be too undigni-
fed to squeeze through his hedge again.
The situation required q conventional