The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-01-27

lhdl WAS lHc cucCt cFt,tteu III Mis-.
Chichester's mind. She never thought
it possible there might be latent pos
sibilities in her impassive daughter.
While her mother admired Ethels
lofty attitude of Indifference toward
the world. Il manner that bespoke the
aristocrat. she secretly chafed at her
daughters lack of enthusiasm.
How different from Alaric. always full
OF nearly new ideas. always about to
do something. Alaric kept those around
him on tue alert No one ever really
knew what he would do next. On the
other hand. Ethel depressed by her
stolid content with everything about
her. Every one knew what she would
door thought they did.
Mrs. Chichester had long since aban-
doned any further attempt to interest
her brother Nathaniel in the children.
Angels's wretched marriage had up
set everythirg-dr Nathaniel to be
recluse and 10 close his doors on
near and distant relatives.
Angela's death the following year
did not relieve the situation. IL any
thing. it intensified it. since she left a
baby that. naturally. none of the fam
lily could possibly take the slightest
notice of-nor interest in.
1t was tacitly agreed never to speak
of the unfortunate incident. especially
before the children. 1t was such a
terrible example for Ethel and so dis
couraging to the eager and ambitious
Alaric.
Consequently Augela's name was
never spoken inside of Regal Villa.
And SO the Chichester family pur-
sued an even course. only varied by
Alaric's sudden and definite decisions
to enter either public life, or athletics,
or the army. or the world Of art-it
was really extremely hard for so well
limit himself to any one particular pur-
suit Consequently he put off the final
choice from day to day.
Suddenly most untoward incident
happened.
Alaric, returning from long walk.
cided to become Il doctor-walked III
through the windows from the garden
into the living room ard found his
mother in tears. an open letter in her
hand.
This was most unusual. Mrs. .Chiches
ter was not wont to give vent TO open
emotion. 1t shows lack of breeding.
So she always suppressed it. 1t seemed
to grow inward. To find her weeping
and almost audibly-impressed Alaric
that something of more tnan usual i'm
portance had occurred.
Hello. mater" he cried cheerfully.
though his looks belied the buoyancy
Of his tone Hello, What's the mat
ter? What's up:"
AT the same moment Ethel came in
through the door.
1t was 1880. and precisely at that
time every morning Ethel practiced for
half an hour on the piano-not that
she had the slightest interest in music.
but it helped the morning so much
She would look forward to it for an
hour before and think of ii for an hour
afterward. and then it was lunchtime
1t practically filed out the entire morn.
ing.
Mrs. Chichester looked up as her be-
loved children came toward her. and
real tears were in her eyes, and a real
note Of alarm was in her voice:
"Oh. Ethel. Oh. Alaric"'
Alaric was at her side in moment
He was genuinely alarmed.
Ethel moved slowly across. thinking
vaguely that something must have dis
agreed with her mother.
What is it, mater?'' cried Alaric.
Mother" said Ethel. with as nearly
a tone of emotion as she could feel.
Were ruinedr' sobbed Mrs. Chiches-
ter.
Nonsense said the bewildered son.
Really asked the placid daughter
Our bank has failed. Every penny
your poor father left me was in it.'
walled Mrs. Chichester. We've moth
ing-nothing. We're beggarsr'
horrible fear for a moment gripped
Alaric-the dread of poverty. He shiv-
cred. Suppose such a thing should
really happen. Then he dismissed it
with a shrug of his shoulders. How
perfectly absurd! Poverty, indeed.
The Chichesters beggars? Such non
sense. He turned to his mother and
found her holding out a letter and
newspaper He took them both and
read them with mingled amazement
and disgust. First the headline of the
newspaper caught his eye:
Failure of Giffords Bank"
Then he looked at the letter:
"Giiford's bank suspended business
yesterday Back his eye travelled to
the paper:
"Gifford's Bank Has Closed Its
Doorsr'
He was quite unable at first to grasp
the full significance Of the contents of
that letter and newspaper. He turned
to Ethel:
'EhT' he gasped.
Pity she murmured, trying to find
particular piece of music among the
mass on the piano.
Were ruined." reiterated Mrs. Chi
chester.
Then the real meaning of those cryp-
tic headlines and the businesslike let
ter broke in on Alaric. All the Chiches-
tar blood was roused In him.
To Be Continued