The Ekalaka eagle., 1916-01-28
"Where is the copper set?''
Gas a leanto on the last house."

mere IS the copper SeC!
CAS- leanto on the last house."
"What are the dimensions!'
Farquhar supplied him with precise
particulars. II happened to hear the
story from one of your tenants, and
ordered the thing at once without
thought Of the landlords right in the
matter. When did remember it was
too late; the work was begun. l can
assure you, sir, that it actually adds
to the value of the property"
$50 1 supposed. What should you
say at guess is the rental worth of
the Improvement"
'Oh, something very small; not more
than sixpence a week, sir"
Mr.. Fame made an entry in his book
''Thank you; am much obliged to you.
Good morning"
"You'll overlook my indiscretion?'
"Overlook it? Indiscretion? l am a
poor man and you have put into my
| pocket 3 shillings q week, Mr.. Far
quhar; I am greatly indebted to
you"
II have put into your pocket shill-
ings a week.
''The additional rent of the six
houses, you understand"
"YOu mean to raise the rent?"
Certainly. Indiscriminate charity is
against my principles"
But, sir, they'll never be able to
pay it."
II shall. hope, find other tenants
who will"
"And the charity is mine, Mr.. Fame. "
"And the houses are mine, Mr.. Far
quhar. Would you be so good as to
let yourself out? The men are out on
the farm. You cannot we'll miss your
way"
Farquhar took up his hat and retired
He really could not attempt to argue
the matter and was aware that he had
been neatly outwitted. So great phil
anthropist should have been saddened
by thoughts of the Searles, victims of
his blunder. but Noel Farquhar as he
walked down the hall was smiling in
candid appreciation Of the nice preci.
sion Of his defeat
Ere he was able to let himself out
however, he was recalled.
'A1r. Noel Farquhar!.''
Farquhar turned and saw on the
stairs girl with small head and a
crown Of chestnut hair. She came lei
surely down with her hand on the bal.
ustrade, planting each foot lightly but
with decision: her gait was very char.
acteristic. The light was from behind
and left her features dark. When she
had reached the hall, II want to speak
to you," said she calmly; ''please to
come in here"
Farquhar held his peace and followed
her into another low room Uttered with
more books and with Miss Fane's
somewhat masculine appurtenances-a
pair of dogskin gloves, hard felt hat
and a riding whip among them. Ar
mortal bearings We're carved upon the
Intel and traced again in silver upor
the uprights of the andirons, across
which logs We're lying in primitive
style. The girl went first to the fire
and stopped to warm her hands before
she confronted him.
Have you been talking to my ia.
ther:"
Am I speaking to Miss Fanc:"
"Of course. Why do you ask such
question as that:'
Because l really was not sure; l
thought you We're younger"
"Most people know us by sight,
though we are too wicked to be re-
ceived," returned Miss Fame indiffer-
emily. 81 don't know whether you mis-
doesn't matter. Have you been speak
ing to my father?"
II came by appointment on a busi-
ness matter. Miss Fame"
about those cottages at Burnt
House. You should have written to
my brother Bernard; he manages the
farm, and he is reasonable to deal
with. Does my father mean to raise
the rents?"
He said such was his intention, but
l hope he will think better of it,
"Oh, no, he won't! Are you going to
acquiesce and let your proteges be
evicted?"
II can hardly make MI. Fame lower
the rents, can II"
You could make up the difference
yourself"
AS this was precisely what Farquhar
had determined to do he was, of
course, struck by her intelligence. But
he did his aims III modest secrecy. 81
dare say they will find the extra six
pence' he said.
"They can't Searle drinks, and the
others are as bad or worse-they're
helpless"
ITO be continued.l