Evening star., 1917-05-20
BY Frederic Reddale

"Er-er-Rick. IL you're not going
out this morning should like word
Sir Arthur had what is called bad
bashful to degree; upon ordinary oc-
castons he was apt to hesitate and
falter and founder, although at other
times and upon topics where he was
sure OF his ground he could be terse
and even epfgrammattc.
Rick looked up from his letters. and.
being 'fn the dumps" as he would
have expressed it, merely grunted an
assent.
Nothing more was said until the meal
was ended. Then, leaning back in his
leather chair and lighting a cigar-Sir
Arthur abhorred tobacco-he said
sulki1y. sarcastically giving his BROTH
We'll, Sir Arthur what is it?'
1t was not very inviting opening.
Yet it may be conceded that fate had
certainly not been kind to Richard. At
bottom he loved his brother. and in
wanted to do the right thing. But a
perverse humor held him that morning,
and he would make no effort at COM
plafsance or conciliation.
Sir Arthur flushed painfully at Rick 8
carelessly contemptuous tone He
rose and went to the window. where he
stood in silence while the second hand
of the old clock licked solemnly half
way round Its dial.
'Trwant to put things right, old
toward Rick. who sat moodily smok-
ing his cigar tilted toward the ceiling.
do you? That's kind" was the curt
rejoinder.
The baronet looked at his brother in
mute surprise: the hot color famed in
his sallow face and as suddenly left
It paler than it's wont. He had never
before seen Rick like this. But he
controlled himself and went on, a little
more fuently, as though the other had
not spoken.
Yes: I happen to know what fathers
intentions were about money matters,
and I am prepared to carry them out
to the letter."
Did he tell you to do 1t? manfred
Rick. laconically.
You remember he never spoke after
they carried him home," said Sir Arthur
reproachfully. "but I knew from what he
taken care Of-that you would have been
provided for If there had been a willard
l simply mean to act in his stead"
All this was certainly very fair and
generous, and the baronet looked expect
antly at Richard for some signs Of a re-
lenting humor. But the perverse devil
which clutched his heartstrings would
permit no relaxation. and the only re-
sponse was monosyllabic and irritating
"Well?"
oir AFlHuT pdtlence was giving way.
and signs OF the Dysart temper appeared
In the shape of certain twitchings and in
dentations of the nostrils,s yet he kept
himself in hand wonderfully
There is not much ready cash. Rick
you know there never has been," he went
on, "but father set aside certain sums
which You were to have at his death.
believe the amount is now something like
couple of thousand pounds, and this
shall be paid to your account as soon as
nj
Thanks awfully.' drawled Richard
He knew in his heart that Sir Arthur was
acting nobly and generously, even as he
would have acted had their positions been
reversed. Yet back of it all was the
knowledge. common to each. that wom-
an had come between them, that they
both loved her. and that only one of them
could possess her. This hardened both
of them.
But Richard had begun the interview
badly, and the Dysart pride. which was
fully as bad as the Dysart temper, would
not let him descend from his lofty perch.
his brother grievously by the suspicion.
the f1end within compelled him to con-
tinue-
"And so you wash your hands of me.
and l can go to the devil with your two
thousand pounds!'
Sir Arthur's patience was exhausted.
and even his affection could not Withstand
this last thrust. coupled with what had
gone before. Still, as Rick waxed hot,
he grew cool.
at is a matter of complete indifference
to me what you do or where you CO." he
retorted icily. Il have done my duty.
More you could not ask; more you shall
not have. wish you good morning and
a better temper"
With these words he turned away, and
was for stepping out on the lawn. But in
a couple of strides Richard was by his
side, a strong hand on his shoulder, so as
to swing him round, and they stood face
to face, one as hot as molten iron, the
other as cool as chilled steel
"An very fine!' Rick sneered. ''Now
that you've got the title, I suppose you