The Ekalaka eagle., 1916-01-28

son. Being put to rebukc, he confined
his conversation to the subject Of Lu
clans illness, and in short time the
prodigal was installed in the best room
and fed with the fatted calf under the
form of timed essence Of beef.
For several days Lucian was kept
dumb by the tactics of his host, who
walked p'lnctually out of the room as
soon as the invalid opened his lips. In
half an hour he would return to the
chatting guest, and then If Lucian re-
manned silent he heard the paper read
aloud but If he dared to speak he was
once more left to himself. As Lucian
was cminently grcgarious and hated
his own society, the discipline achieved
its object. lie was treated like a royal
guest and repaid his host by viviscct-
ing his character. The ground of his
suspicious seemed trivial. but was sub
stantial. Feeling the letter in it's old
place, Lucian sometimes wondered il
he had dreamed that scene. But no:
he knew it was real for the reason that
he had seen OH Farquhar's face us he
read an expression which he could
never have imagined. What he sus-
pcctcd was not very clear. but Lucian
had an inquisitive disposition, and his
interests at this time We're limited in
number; hence his exaggerated curios-
ity.
The church at Monkswcll was heated
by pipes. which on mild days brought
t,11sn TO ~
and in cold weather left the air in such
a condition that to uncover his bald
head was Il severe trial of the parsons
faith. The weather had changed, and
Farquhar. coming in after service on
Sunday afternoon, Went straight to the
fire to warm his hands. He was an
exemplary churchgoer.
"Cold?" inquired 1.ucian, who was
now allowed to talk a little
bitterly. The snow winds blowing.
We shall be white tomorrow if don't
err"
Gale at seventy miles an hour, tenn
pcraturc 20 degrees below zero. Yes,
I've tried that out in .Athabasca, and it
didn't suit me-" said Lucian, whose
rebellio,S body appreciated luxury,
though his hardy spirit despised it.
"My faith. no. But I'm not sure that
20 degrees below isn't better than 12O
above
"That's a nice preparation for the
bed time coming" said the incorrieiblc
Lucian. ''Talking of which, what was
that deviltry you used when you car
ricd in my fainting fOrm:''
"Deviltry, indeed. 1t was massage"
Not the ordinary common or garden
English massage, sonny. I've tried
that
"MaSsacc is massage all the world
over. l should have said. However, l
learned mine in Africa"
And who WAS your moonshee:'
'.An old Arab sheikh who Wore I'M
macuatc robes and carried a dagger
with Il handle of silver tiligree and
very sharp point, with which he prod
ded his slaves when thcy failed in
their duties. Are you satisfied now?"
mo, not in the least. but l didn't ex-
pect to he. Who's old Fnne?"
My dear fellow" said Farquhar
mildly. 'your mind reminds me of Il
flea. Mr. Fame is Il farmer hereabouts,
a kind of local squire"
"1s he Well off,
"Tolerably, l believe. Why do you
ask"
"Old curmud=con" said Lucian.
"Stingy old mserly murdcrer!'
Zone at time. l beg" said Far
quhar.
"Well, he may be an angel incognito,
but his war paints unco guild, that's
ALL"
"How has lie reused your righteous
wrath?'
waxing eloquent over her wrongs and
illustrating his points with rapid for
eign gestures, as his manner Was. Far
quhar compressed his lips. which al
ready Joined in Il sufficiently firm line.
II know those houses" he said. "They
are unfit for habitation. | tried to get
them condemned IL year ago. Want
copper, do they: They'll never get it
from Fane.'
II wish he'd tried what starvation's
like. that's ALL
"Have yOu:'
"Ilave l? l was thousandaire till
I was four and twenty" said Lucian,
claSping his lean. brown hands behind
his head, "but since then devil IL penny
have l had to spend. My head is
bloody but unboWel beneath the blldg-
eOnings of fatc--W. Il. Henley. I'm
proud to say could take the shine out
of OresteS."
Farquhar sat down by the fire and
pulled the tea table toward him. He
was very useful at an afternoon party
could always remember the precise
formula for every persons several cup.
"How did you lose your money:' he
inquired. favoring his own tea with
lemon in the Russian style.
"SiXteen thousand in one night play