The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-09-14
CHAPTER iI-contInued.

The routine never varied. Elinor
unlocked the door to winding stair
case. which led TO n basement room
where the steel vault stood In It's ce-
ment walls. The Ave went down, re-
turning shortly with the cash-boxes.
The money was divided on the library
table. II went by percentages. Hill
airy drew 20 that last year. each of
the others 10--a total OF go per cent.
The 40 nes cent remaining was d.
vlded, or sent as whole, according
10 the sense Of the meeting. Berlin
got II AL one year, for instance, to
Boroday's disgust. Russia generally
received large proportion. The Chi
nese revolution; the defense of Berk-
hardt, who killed Ecker the pork
packer; shipment Of guns and ann
munitlOn to Central Amerlca--thus 1t
went.
Although they preferred only money,
now and then the loot included jewels.
BY common consent. such gems,
stripped Of their settings. were put
aside for EIinor. They meant nothing
20 her. Had anyone told her that for
several years her share had been
greater In actual value than all the
money that had fallen TO her father
she would not have believed 1t. !.
Four days or so after the annual
meeting. the rector of Saint Jude's was
always asked TO dinner. And although
the reverend gentleman would under
normal circumstances have been fish
ing In Canada. he never went until this
function was over. For old Hilary, de-
testing his creed, respected the man.
a certain percentage, then. of old Hill
ary's share went over the library ta-
BILE, after the dinner. to the rector.
use 1t where IT viii do the most
good" he would shy.
THE church organ"
mot a cent TO the church organ.
Buy the youngsters a playground, or
build a lying-in ward In the hos
pitni"
Elinor's mother had died in child
birth.
The last check had been unusually
generous. The rector, who had been
smoking one OF old Hllary's choice
cigars. put 1t down and faced his host
resolutely. It took courage.
Mr.. Kingston" he said. .the church
needs men like you. Why be Chris.
tian in the spirit and--ayoid the let,
teri"
Tut" Old Hillary rose and looked
down at him. Il am like all gamblers
This annual check to your poor Is TIL,
sop throw to luck. That's all, sir"
And his tone closed the discussion
The word "gambler' worried the rec
tor. He thought over 1t on his wa,
down the hill to the rectory. But hi
poor We're very poor. He eashed tn,
check the next day,
Elinor was in the library that sum,
August day when they brought oil,
Hilary to her. She had never seel
death before, except on the streets o
Mexico. and for good many years h
had been all she had-since her las
govcrness, In fact, had been discovere,
secreting the rosary and had bee
wOrd-scourged from the house in tears
She tainted, and wrinkled Henriett
laid her on couch.
Boroday, the Russian, had brougfl
the body home, and now he stood, lool
ing down at Elinor and stroking hi
English-cut beard.
'He expected it, Henriette," he sale
1'He thought it would have come sool
er. in the Parker matter. l wonder
He glanced through the open door |
the billiard room, where old Hilary
body lay on the table. He was minde'
was Boroday, to wonder many things
whether, after all, old Hilary's daun
less spirit had gone out like lam
or if
This white and carven thing in Il
next room, with stiffening hands al
the gray derby at its feet, surely the
was no mystery about it. This W
not old Hillary: that was all. B
where, then, was old Hilary? The Ri
sian, who had been raised within t
pale and on an ancient faith, and W
had now lost his best friend, felt
the bitterness of his unbelief.
Elinor stirred.