The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1915-04-24

yersation. Evelyn was anxiOnsly scan
ming the heavens, especially in the
northeast.
Don't you think it is sure to storm,
Richard?" she asked. The papers GER
tainly say So
1T surely will, dear Look at that
blackness in the east now
"Oh, hope SOL If it will only be
real Worcester one that will last a
day or two-with his rheumatism!
But, Richard, it may begin before you
get him here. Do hurry!''
Richard ran down the steps laugh
ing. and waved his hat back at her
from the. bottom.
Here's to our desperate schemes,
little plotter!" he cried softly. "May
a great storm blow into Grandfather
Hazleton fervent appreciation of the
cheer Of our bright freside. I'll bring
him back with me, Evelyn, If it can be.
done. Meanwhile, don't let the duck
| burn"
He hurried away, and presently Mr..
Hazleton sitting gloomily in his library
nursing a left leg, which already felt
the oncoming storm, heard himself adj
dressed by the familiar, CHEEKY voice.
He had missed that voice, and felt an
ache which he would not own, but
which hurt none the less for that.
Many happy returns, grandfather!
cried Richard, and Richards handsome
face beamed at him from the doorway.
| "Come in" said the judge. He said
/ it without much relaxation of counte-
nance, to be sure, but with a milder
infection than he had employed to-
wards his grandson of late
The young man came in gaily, bring
ing ain atmosphere of fresh air and
youth and health with him, as he had
ever done. He sat down on the arm
of big chair opposite his grandfather.
He had not removed his oYercoat; his
hat was in his hand.
It's cold day." he said, "but the
air is fine, and a breath of it would do
you good. Let me order the horses,
will you sir, and come over to Abe
marie Street with me? There's little
birthday dinner waiting for you there,
and our fireside needs your christen-
ing. There's a magnificent old fire
place in Aunt Martha's house-remem-
Der it, sir? and the jolliest fire is roar
ing up the chimney this minute.
Please, grandfather
The old man hesitated. Rejection
was in his eye, refusal on his lips, but
it was little difficult to grunt his
customary curt NO to an invitation
like this, bubbling over with goodwill
and heartiness. Meanwhile, Richard
came lightly across the floor and
dropped upon one knee before Mr.
Richard Hazleton. He laid one warm
hand upon the judges cold one, looked
up, laughing, and sued for the favor
Please, sir" he said. Its your
birthday. You never denied me IA
vor on your birthday, grandfather"
The judge stirred uneasily, moisten
ed his lips, got slowly and stiffly tc
his feet, and reached for his cane.
''Well, well, boy" he said gruffly
this once. But not again, mind you
Now, Grandfather Hazleton had not
addressed one word to Richards wife
since the wedding day-and you viii
remember that he had not addressed
her then. So it might easily have
been an embarrassing moment al
round when the Hazleton coachmar
drew up before Aunt Marthas ole
| house and Evelyn appeared at the TOT
of the steps to greet the two coming
up them by painful stages.
The black clouds in the north-eas
| were gathering thickly, and the ole
mans rheumatism was growing very
bad indeed. But Richard looked vi
confidently with cheerful Here we
are!" and the blithest voice in the
Come in out of this wretched cold tc
our splendid fire." And somehow
there was no greeting necessary.
Judge Hazleton did not offer to
shake hands with young Mrs. Richard;
but nobody appeared to notice that
and the two had him out of his over
coat and into big easy chair in front
! of the. fire before he had time to OBJ
ject or to know what he was about.
They did not try to make him talk
Richard was all about the room saying
gay things, first from his corner, then
from that Evelyn fitted in and out
J half covered by big white apron with
most fetching ruffled bib.
Savory odors floated in each time
she opened the dining-room door, and
the judges nostrils detected the de
licious fragrance of-was it roast
duck? There was suspicion of spiel
ness in the air, too, which might or
might not be that of mince pies. Mr..
Hazleton especially liked mince pies.
There were a few moments when
Evelyn called Richard out to assist her
with something. Then the judge sat
up straight in his chair, turned and
glanced sharply about the room.
4 His first impression, then, had been
correct. Instead of being furnished in
the latest modern style, the long, low
\ ceiled apartment was averitable repro
duction of the best of old time living
rooms.
CONTINUED on page 10