Evening star., 1921-10-30


John Schofield spent his de-
cllning days. would probably
have been as much surprised as his
host II some ono had told them that
they were both rsliving a scene en-
acted twenty-five or thirty centuries
before. And yet II Achison had given
utterance to his secret thoughts he
would have voiced the demand that
King Ahab made to his neighbor
Naboth:
"Give me thy vineyard"
And John Schofleld's answer would
have been that of Naboth:
"The Lord forbid that should give
the inheritance of my fathers unto
thee"
But tho centuries have taught us
to cloak our greed with subtlety. and
neither by word nor sign did Achison
give a hint to the man who stretched
out his hand in welcome, that he had
determined to possess Scarlet Naples.
this fine old estate in the Westchester
hills. with its handsome manor house
built by the first Schofeld in pre-
revolutionary days. and added to and
embellished by every Schofield who
had lived there since.
There was one present. however,
who comprehended Achison's designs.
and that was Frederick Schofield. the
old mans nephew. whose handsome
X not particularly strong face had
begun to wear a habitually unhappy
and careworn expression. He was
under heavy obligation to Achison.
owing him not only money but graft
tude-a debt of honor that must be
paid.
1t was through this boy that Achi-
son had become frequent visitor at
had outlived the graceful impulses of
hospitality: he claimed. as he often
said. the privileges of age and in
f1rmity. and refused to be bored. He
suspicion and distrust anv of his
nephew's acquaintances. But Achi-
son. in addition to possessing fasci-
mating personality, was a man of
note. a criminal lawyer who had
achieved the dizzy feat Of rising to
spectacular eminence without impair
ing his dignity. He was also con-
siderably older than Frederick. and
the fact that the boy had won the
friendship of such a man raised his
otherwise doubtful value in. his
uncle's eyes.
Achison was now in the habit of
motoring out to Scarlet Naples almost
every Sunday. and these visits had
become a source Of pleasure to the
recluse. for in spite of physical dis
had lost none of its vigor. and in
Achison he found a more congenial
companion than he had known for a
long time. John Schofield had once
ress he had ouadrupled an inherited
fortune. and in the realm of art he
had spent lavishlv. ransacking the
ages to crafty his discriminating
taste.
A Gibson also was collector. al
though in a lesser degree, and
could talk to the valetudinarian in
the language he loved and on the
only subjects in which he still took
an interest-the gossip of the auction
rooms and galleries. the genuine
frauds which had been palmed off on
them
in a few moments after Achison's
erick. who had been fidgeting about.
plainly Ill at ease. excused himself on
the plea of other guests. and left
them.
The two men. sitting there in the
library suffused by the mt low light
of an afternoon in early autumn.
were of strikingly contrasted types.
Schofield. gaunt and lean as starved
wolf, sat In a great armchair, his
shrunken hands clasped over the gold
top of his cane. Achison. on the other
hand. was anything but emaciated;
vet, although tall. he moved with an
almost catlike grace and ease. Only
an occasional CLINT in his steel-gray
neither so carelessly tolerant nor SO
smilingly debonair as he appeared.
THE responsibility you have placed
on Fred is doing him good" he re-
s marked j., to .ds the uncle ,,as as Frederick
II hope the reformation lasts" said
fSchofield. grimly.
''Do the boy Justice" Achison urged
in his rich, persuasive voice. 'These
wild colts often turn out to be the
most steady ard reliable horses. And
Fred could hardly have done more to
prove the sincerity of his good inten-
tions He has buckled down to busi
ness, as you know. in way to win
ing-'he has also. IL my eyes do not
deceive me. had the good taste to fall
head over heels in love with Miss
Drew. What better assurance for the
future could you ask"
Schofield nodded, a CLINT OF deep
qualification in his eye. Margery
lived since childhood in his home. and
who was now a charming girl in her
early twenties. was one OF the few
people he thoroughly believed in.
They are engaged. Yes: Margery
will keep him straight. II any one
can" He gave chuckle Of profound
satifaction.
heartily. you have my warmest
congratulations. You really should
hesitate no longer about restoring
Fred's inheritance"
The old man cogitated the sugges-
ton rubbing his chin with his hand
1--WE been waiting until I could feel
sure of him." he explained. But per
haps you are right. Ye-es. I guess
you are right"
He sat with his penetrating eyes
fixed on Achison for moment or
two. and then spoke again with an
like tone.
you've no ak to grind in this mat
ter that 7 can see
Except that I am interested In
Fred. and believe in him." Achison
And" continued the other. "even
though YOU have devoted yourself
chiefly to criminal law. you are cap
able. I suppose. of drawing up a
wilI?" .,.., s,,,,,ns
hut giving no outward sign of his
inner elation. ''And. by the way
glancing toward massive writing
table-"if catch your drift correctly.
let me remind you that In these
things there is no time ike the pres
He spoke emphatically:. but with
inst the proper degree OF detachment.
Schofield nodded assentinglv.
'you might. then. II you will. take
down some notes OF my wisnes now.
and then you can put them In proper