The spectator., 1918-10-25
HONEY SWEET By MAEY JORDAN GARTH.
. COG
 lCnnvright 1913 Mnstnrn Ncusnaner I-ninn-l


 through with business-all through. After ten years of striving, speculating manipulating, leading the feverish. un- certain life of the average broker, he had arrived at a point where every dollar he had in the world must go to meet his honest obligations, or he must stand forth in the world diShonored bankrupt.
 owing nothing, owning nothing" he unused. with a half whimsical smile. "I wonder what will open volume two of my life. Come in."
 A rare good friend, Tom Daley, had tapped at the half glass door, peered in and came in, throwing himself into chair and strangely viewing the trusted and beloved chum of full decade.
 It's true?" he asked, dismally. "Youve sold your membership?'
 Daere nodded, gravely but serenely. There was certain joyous satisfac- tion in feeling a load of debt lifted from his shoulders.
 You don't want position-back- ing, maybe a loan?" persisted gener- ouS-hearted Tom.
 Not a bit of it. The game hasn't been worth the candle. l have no thought of renewing it. Good old fel- low. you were one of the true ones."
 "What's your plan?
 "I have none.
 Tom meditated, moodily surveying his friend with real pity. He did not like the sheer resignation Of his mood. It seemed ambitionless.
 "Oh. by the way!" he spurred up abruptly. i've draft for you. It's only one hundred and seventy-five dol lars. but it may be the forerunner of a regular income"
 Daere glanced over the document. It was dated at Hopeton. It was signed Abner Wade.
 Must be a mistake" he submitted. "I know no Abner Wade"
 You've forgotten, that's all" ob- served Tom. "One of your many kind four years ago telling of an honest, worthy old fellow named Wade, at Hopeton, who had little place and wanted thousand dollars to experi- ment in bee culture?"
 "Why, yes," dimly acceded Daere.
 "There was a broken-down old man who had been professor of ento- mology in n college and his daughter, Muriel. I vouched for repayment and you never even asked for details. Well, this morning 1 got their first check. It seems that every dollar you loaned those worthy people, and every dollar they have made has gone into heat ing plant to provide for the bees in winter and lot of other new-fangled contraptions. invented for bees spe- cially by the old professor. They have lived, got out of debt, the place Is clear, prospects dazzling, and you can imagine the delight of those square. deserving people to be able 10 begin paying dividends"
 "Why, there couldn't be more than the usual per cent interest" began Daere.
 "The professor insists differently. He has placed the title to the whole busi- ness in your name and has settled on an equal division of the profits. Sou can't budge him on that, so, in the midst of this abominable poverty you seem to take joy in adopting, you are not only landed proprietor, but partner fin a most promising business"
 Il declare!" muttered Daere, really interested. you give me something to think about"
 He thought so much about 1t that morning saw him headed for Hope ton. IL was pleasant diversion to weave fancy picture of rural fe- licity. to feel us though he had an anchor settled somewhere. He made an inquiry at the general store at Hopeton as to Wades bee farm.
 That's it." explained the man in charge. and pointed to n written ad- vertisement tackled onto bulletin board: "Wanted-Man for light work" and there followed the route to the bee farm in question.
 If Van Daere had found a grabbed, self-abSorbed old fossil and captious, suspicious old maid daughter at the bee farm he might not have stayed. Instead, he came across the most de- lightfully intelligent old fellow he had met in year. As to the young lady, as to Muriel-She was beautiful and attractive as her own sweet, modest name.
 So Daere hired out" Within week he was as deep in the science of bee culture as the old professor. The business possibilities of the venture appealed to the true commercial sense in his nature. As Muriel daintily taught him how to handle the little treasure gatherers he evinced fas- cination beside which money grubbing in the city was dull. sordld work.
 They were seated, those two, on a garden bench. each yelled after swarm ing a colony and resting and enjoying