The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1919-03-21
BY
RUPERT HUGHES

l AS was ~ sure Ot HIS 1hIIleT LLidL ne
ended his letter with an advance pay
ment Of thanks. This was the first
payment he had made in advance for
a long time.
| He sealed the letter, put special
delivery stamp on it, and took 1t to
the branch post Office so that it would
reach Cleveland without fail the next
morning.
When he got back to the house
there was telegram from home
Leaving beaver due tomorrow a.
m. don't meet me but be home must
see you important mamma well love.
FATHER"
The next morning Bayard rose be-
times to meet his father at the train.
And Daphne went to the Grand Cen
trail station with him. She ran to
her father and flung her arms about
him, and Bayard Rugged him and car
ried his suitcase for him. 1t was no
time to be tipping porter. Nor to be
making use of taxicabs with the lit
ney subway at hand. Bayard logged
|
street. The hall boy, who had not been
tipped for some days, observed a
strict neutrality. He was feeling the
pinch, too.
When breakfast was ended Wesley
noted that Leila herself carried the
dishes away. with Daphne's help.
When the table was clear she closed
the door on the two men and said:
wen leave you two alone to talk
| business"
The two men regarded each other
askance, as uneasily as two wrestlers
circling for hold. Wesley was the
first to speak. He said:
well, my boy?"
Il wrote you long letter last night,
dad,' Bayard said.
"You did? What about?"
Bayard had guessed the situation;
he saw the cruel joke of it. He
thought he could duh the edge with
mockcry. He snickered, rather crav-
emily:
Il wrote to>ask you to lend me some
money. / guess wasted the postage"
"And guess wasted the fare over
here. thought oughn't have taken
berth in the sleeper, but your moth
er insisted-said I'd not been feelin'
any too well.'
Bayard laughed outright-a laugh
wet with vinegar tears.
Wesley sank into a chair with the
little whimper of sick old man.
Bayard went to his father and put
his arm about him and regretted his
Wall street disaster with, a ferocious
remorse. He could not speak, and
there was long dumbness before
Wesley sighed:
II guess we got to lose the home,
then"
That ''then'' was a history in
word. 81
Bayard bent his head in shame at
his heiplessness. AS usual, it was
Wesley who found shabby comfort
in the situation-found it for his son.
"Don't you think anything more
about it, my boy. I'm kind of relieved"
He giggled with pitiful senility. Il
been so ashamed at traipsin' over here
to bother you instead of rushin' over
to help you like 1 ought to-being
your father-that I'm kind of glad you
can't help me. / got no right to add
to your troubles. I'm supposed to
take care of you."
Bayard kept groaning:
$40 lose your home! To think of
you losing your home! And me stand
ing BY"
''Why, it's nothing, Bayard. After
all, we're not in Belgium. We've got
friends. And relations. There's no
danger of anything happening to u.s."
Daphne and Leila overheard this con-
versation while listening in the, hail.
Daphne chung to Leila and buried
her face in Leila's bosom to smother
her frenzied grief. Leila, hopping
Daphne's cheek with her own hand
kerchief, caught the CLINT of a dia-
mond on her finger. 1t glistened like
great, immortal tear.
1t inspired her with a new hope.
AoAAC A10 OAtSAt SOkAoOiCu ACAoCil Win
the thought of her jewels as final
refuge. but she had put off the evil
day. Now she felt that the time had
come. She threw open the door and
spoke into the gloom with voice of
seraphic beauty:
II couldn't help hearing what you
were saying. You needn't be down
hearted, though, for I've just thought
Of a way to help daddy out" He was
daddy" to her also.
Bayard and Wesley turned and
stared at her in amazement. She
went on in kind of ecstasy.
"My rings" she cried. 'Don't you
seel My diamonds and rubies! And
I've got necklace or two, and some
chains and brooches. They're worth |
a lot of money. And you're welcome
to 'em, daddy" Il
The mon vara confused with foo