The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1915-10-01
The Miser
OF Havel0ck
How the Name Was Changed
to Prince of Havel0ck."
By CLARISSA MACKIE

talked volubly
You remember I've written you
GSsout the man who has taken the old
aayelock placer
YES" replied Sally. You called
him an old miser. Really. Aunt Jane
does he count his gold in dusty. cob
xehted room?"
''sMdle." snorted Jane Gray. "Of
coarse he doesn't do that! But he is
so stiugy he won't give cent toward
may charity. and he even stays away
Sasm church. Folks say he is too
mean to put penny in the contribu-
don box"
Sally laughed indulgently. Poor old
Manv' she said. IF he really knew
what his neighbors said about him do
yOn suppose he would summon pride
90 his aid and give something's"
I'm sure he would not asserted
Jane with emphasis. Hes been APP
preached by every one even went
there myselfr
~And he refusedY asked Sally.
Yes. He said, Madam. If I could
see my way clear to contribute toward
yuur church expenses would do so.
nut I cannot afford it. l said to him:
Mt Worth. don't conceal your mig
,surdly nature behind a lie. Any one
who Gun afford to rent the Havelock
R2aee must be rich man.
what did he say then?" 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 gardener NOW
ing the velvety lawns. From over the
hedge came the rich. sweet smell Of
lily Of the valley.
when I was little girl l used to
Ssfp inside the gate and pick lilies of
tire 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
mreIy come to I.yndbridge. was sur
prised to learn they had rented the
place"
Saiiy's blue eyes watched the vanish
ing form of the gardener. The clatter
Of the lawn mower died away in the
distance.
You 60 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 a miser
am sure old Mr.. Worth won't mind
my having a few flowers. Probably
ne, doesn't know they're here at all.
I'm sure buttercups and dandelions
are hfs favorite blossoms. They're the
eofor of gold. you know"
Sally waved laughing farewell and
shipped through an opening In the tall
clipped hedge.
-Ohg' 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 a great
Aunch OF the fragrant flowers.
There WAS hardly dainty blossom
aeft in the bed.
He was very tired looking man.
7vith. quite gray hair. His eyes were
BROWN AID his eyebrows very black.
meeting symmetrically on the bridge
NJ n very handsome nose.
Ua oil onnIJu M CoIIxv md no
Vxas conscious that the brown eyes did
not dfsapprove of her dainty self.
Heryusually sweet voice became very
sGS&j and contemptuous.
II came In to get a few lilies" she
safa as he rose to his tall height. II
Hn sure Mr.. Worth would not care.
Ne has so many"
'sNy name is WORTH" he said. look
ing keenly at her.
AYou?" she cried incredulously.
~Then you heard what we were say
ing about your father. / suppose?'
He nodded. MY father has been
dad for three years." A look of pain
xossed his features and vanished In
a grim smile. II am James Worth.
\ am the miser of Havelock''
Sally's face was crimson with en-
lnrrassment, but she lifted naughty
shin.
You listened.' she accused.
Y couldn't help it. These lilies had
N be picked l have promised them
sy noon. They are for Miss Trent's
wedding bouquet You see, / am ex-
planning why cannot give them to
roo"
'-Ah. no. But I am glad that you
- not mind my trespassing," she said
9nstily.
Il am afraid l would have objected
~ your taking, my flowers" he said
nsoily. you see. am to be well paid
D~ this bouquet. could not afford
% give them away"
The contemptuous look came back to
g1lly's eyes,
''Of course mott" She moved toward
s1E- open gate: il would be too undigni.
seti to squeeze through his hedge again.
The situation required conventional
wzs,.
Hut fate ordained otherwise. Some
ohing crunched under her little white
shees.
MY haiti he cried tragically.
sxily dashed the tears away and ex.