The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1920-03-18
THE LONELY
HEARTH
Y%1
By RALPH HAMILTON

"The same old Randall Worth, ehr'
"In patience and duty, hope So"
Martin Brill looked curiously about
the living room of the old house In
which his friend lived all by himself.
1t had seen better days, but its age
was well concealed by the efforts at
care and neatness.
"Of course. It's home, and you love
IT," spoke Brill. "but you're made for
something better in social way than
for solitary old bachelor, and in q
business way for a plodding existence
as store clerk"
THAT'S all well enough" replied
Worth, but couldn't break away
from the only home have ever known,
and. to preserve it for myself and the
others, don't dare to make any ex-
periments."
"The others !" retorted Brill with as
perity. "Do you ever think of your
own right and pleasure?"
II don't count particularly against
those love-" said Worth, soberly.
'T'm older than Esther, my sister, and
Norman, my brother. Then there's his
wife and three little children. How
I miss them How | would like to
have them back with me! You see,
| Norman caught the farm craze, and |
had to help him out in buying some
| land way out West. Sister Esther
joined the family, but l don't think
they have made much Of go out Of
1t. It's a cold, cherries spot, and the
soil is not much good. Maybe they'll
be coming along back soon. hope So"
"And you are all ready for them
eh?" suggested Brill, with sweep of
his hand across the semi-circle Of
| chairs.
"Why, yes" assented Worth, with
warm smile. "The first three are
for Norman, his wife and Esther, Then
that next chair for the oldest boy, the
small rocker for little Walter, and the
high chair for Baby Ruth. I'll sit in
the middle"
to it?" querled Brill.
"Why that was mothers old favorite,"
explained Randall reverently. Il like to
| think of her, and" flushing slightly,
maybe I'll sometime find some worthy
person to fill it."
Martin Brill smiled secretly. He had
heard that Randall had been an Occa-
sional escort for pretty Meta Searle,
whom Randall had known from her
childhood. There, too, was the self
sacrificing nature Of Randall displayed,
for but the money help he bestowed
upon his brother and his family, and
keeping open for them the old home,
he might think of taking to himself
a wife.
"Well, l hope your dream. comes
true" said Brill affectionately. "If
your rovers do come back, 1t looks to
me as though you and Norman ought
to be able jointly to make ends meet
finely. No disguise with q true friend,
Randall; you want and need Meta
Searle In your life. Get her."
That might be possible, reflected
Randall as his friend went his way, but
he was In no position to support her
as he should do. His brother had not
only drawn on his reserves originally,
but had later been unable to even meet
the interest on his mortgage, and Ran
dial had to help him out. Norman's
only prospect was to sell his equity In
the farm, but that did not seem easy
to do. A great CLEAN Of Joy came into
the face Of Randall one day a week
later as he received letter. It con-
tanned wonderful news! Norman had
disposed Of his interest in his prop
erty for $4,000. He and his eager
brood were coming home forthwith.
He would pay Randall half Of the
money; together they would invest in
some safe little business, and live
together In the dear old home, with
their loved ones about them.
Randall had not visited Meta for
nearly a fortnight. He was so elated,
however, at the grand news he had re-
ceived that he saw light ahead. He did
not tell Meta Of his unexpected good
fortune, but she was so pleased at his
coming that he went home confident
and happy.
What a week of work was that for
Randall How he tidied up the room
and FURNISHED the antique furniture
The semi circular row Of chairs came
In for full exertion of his energy and
attention. 1t had existed ever since
the day Norman and his family went
away. 1t should not be disturbed
nowl
One evening Randall came over to
the Searle home In vast state Of ex'
element. Meta was standing at the
gate, thinking Of him.
Meta want you to come over
to the house, If you will. My broth
err and his family have returned, and
] want you to see them"
"Ohi how happy you must be to have
them under the home roof once more y
exclaimed Meta, and she accom-
panied Randall gladly. He halted with
her Just beyond the open window OF
the lighted living room. Raptly Meta
gazed within. Six of the chairs around
the fireplace were filled, just as Rem
dial had planned and hoped for two
long, lonely years. He drew close to
Metals side.
There are two vacant chairs" he
said. Meta, will you join me In
filling themf"
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