Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-09-23
CHAPTER ".
THE DECISION OF DAVID
VAN WYCk.

iFfOIl d CeELd1n LefTdCC.lanQlnR
which Anne called her Sunset
View" we watched the last glowing
clouds dull and darken in the west.
A sort of depression had fallen on
the party, because-as was perfect
" evident-of Anne's mood. She
was distrait and preoccupied: though
now n then her dark eyes flashed
with what was Enthusiastically anger.
Whats it all about. Anne dear?'
said Archer. who let himself go a lit
tie when MIR. Van Wyck wasn't pres
ent.
Instead of evading or parrying his
question, Anne spoke out frankly.
Its just this" she said: David
is going to give away all his fortune.
He's going to build and ,endow a
magnificent library for Crescent Falls
ton to a tiny little place like this"
"All his fortune" I exclaimed.
astounded. You can't mean that,
Anne!"
But I do mean just that! He
calls it philanthropy-that's his fad
this year. If he were really phiian-
thropic, it would be different; but he
ridiculous hobby for no reason at all
except that he's always dashing into
some new and crazy scheme. And
he's so determined; he'll give away
jail his money, and then afterward
he'll be sorry, but he can't get it
back. He has had fads and foibles
before. but though sometimes they
an moun of money as this"
But. Anne; Invent on;--:"you can't
mean that he's going to give, away all
his money! How will he provide for
You and his two children?"
"He a I've got to strike out for
myself" growled Morland. who had
been listening moodily. as with his
hands in his pockets he leaned
against the terrace-rail.
well, he's going to give nearly a
million to the library" said Anne
despondently; land that's just about
all he possesses. He says it's right to
!practice philanthropy and give away
ones fortune while ones alive"
"Other good and great men have
Kordyce, with one Of her exalted
yes" spoke up Barbara Van
Wyck angrily; but the other good
and great men a ran millions to
start with. Fathers going to give
away all he has, except just enough
for us to live on in a very small way.
It isn't fair to us, and he has no
right to do it. but he is simply im-
movable in the matter"
Il feel as Anne does" said Archer
seriously. "If it were real, true
philanthropy, it would be a noble
deed: but / know Mr.. a Wyck, and
he is always rushing suddenly and
madly into some new project. which
"Ah, Connie" said Anne. IF there
were only a hope of his abandoning
this! But when he regrets it, it will
be too late" p
Yes, the committeeman are. COM
ing tonight, for the final acceptance
of the Iced of gift, or whatever you
call it," said Barbara, in a tone Of
blended rage and despair. :.
/ had thought Barbara Van Wyck
was colorless. but in the intensity of
her feelings her yes flashed and the
red rose to her pale cheeks until she
looked like a veritable avenging
angel. hadn't known she possessed
so much energy. ard l turned to her
saying hopefully, Cant you persuade
youx father, at least. to delay it?"
mo; Nv tried every argument
know of. and so have Morland and
Anne. If Anne can't persuade him.
nobody can"
Though this praise was grudgingly
given. it was Enthusiastically earnest;
and it was clear to be seen that,
though Ann and her step-children
were not congenial. and not ever
friendly, they had common cause in
this impending catastrophe.
And I could not blame them. Such
ill-advised and misplaced generosity
was absurd. and seemed to me to
argue Mr.. Van Wyck's mind some
what unbalanced. But as a compare
tive stranger, I didn't like to offer
suggestions, or even comment very
enphatically.
Mrs. stelton. however, felt no such
restraint. "It's ~outrageous!" she
cried. Its contemplate! I~never
heard of such a performances! If
were you. Morland, I should have my
father adjudged insane"
muttered Morland: but what can ]
do about it? If you knew my father
as I do, you'd know that, insane OF
not, he will have his W way"
Eyes, he will said Anne. signing
and looking 30 adorably pathetic thai
lit didn't seem possible any one could
disappoint her Is Van Wyck propos.
ed to DO.
Won't he listen to you. Anne?' ]
asked. Doesn't he care for your
lcomfort and happiness?"
mo" said Anne. and though she
Hooked the picture of utter hopeless.
ness, she showed also a cool reserve
1that warned me not to intrdue toe
far upon her personal affairs.
0 course he. cares for Anne
broke in Archer: but I tell you, he'i
out Of his head! He doesn't know
what he's doing"
HE isn't out of his head. Connie
returned Anne gently. "and he does
know what he's doing. I'm going to
try once more. before the committed