Evening star., 1922-07-30

thought, Mr. Douglas, that some men
work not because they enjoy the
work but because they're afraid to
stop? Afraid to face the vacuum of
release. afraid to face whatever it is
they're forever denying and tucking
under?'
1t was the first time Stephen Doug
las had ever seen another mans de-
spair. and he felt embarrassed and
humble and inadequate. Perhaps
the thing one keeps denying. running
away from"-he hoped dumbly he
might not blunder-"wouldn't be so
monumental II it were faced"
Michael Higgins shook his head.
ITS not SO simple as that. The
problem Of human relations isn't as
simple as the building of dams and
bridges" Then he pushed the vol
umes away from him and rose from
the table. It's not easy for some
men to admit they've made failure
Of anything. I'm one Of those men"
Mr.. Higgins" Stephen Douglas
faced him. He was afraid to speak,
and yet, it seemed, some way. al
though he had to. Mr.. Higgins" he
repeated, why don't you follow the
Willow creek path as far as the
farmhouse tomorrow at quarter
past 3? 1 can't tell you any more.
Maybe I've done a terrible thing to
have told you this much. But can't
believe have, some way" He
stopped again, overcome with appre-
hension.
Michael Higgins met his eyes.
Then you think 1 might run down
my-specter?'
The younger man hesitated. Il
don't know, sir. There's an awful
lot in the world I'm not at all sure l
understand"
For a long time that night Michael
Higgins paced up and down the
gravel driveway beyond the cypress
hedge. 1t was indeed a strange busi-
ness-this living.
At a quarter to Stephen Doug
las closed the vlumes that had to do
with traction law and started. bare
headed( toward the sunlit garden.
The path through the woodland was
easy to nnd. 1t was a shiftless path,
already sprinkled with fallen leaves
that had gathered deep in the hol-
lows and crackled agreeably as he
walked, sending up the dusty. acrid
smell that Is 90 undeniably autumnal.
A T the end of long half mile the
1 willow hedge vanished and be-
fore him Stephen saw an unpainted
farmhouse. The doors stood open
and a thin stream Of smoke from the
chimney disappeared against DAG
sling sunlight. Stephen waited a
moment, undecided. Suddnly from
the thicket bordering tho creek he
heard voices:
Maybe IL We took the darned en-
sine out altogether it might run"
Stephen followed the lamentation.
On the swampy bank of the creek
stood the conspirators, Mrs. Higgins
and the two boys. At the sound of
his coming the three looked up,
startled.
"Oh, youw Mrs. Higgins gave q
little giggle OF relief. but the eyes Of
the two boys still regarded him with
q question. She pointed to q gaudy
toy motor boat on tho mud before
her. I'VE can't make it work"
Stephen grinned In sympathy. so
I ascertained-way back there by the
farmhouse" In an instant he had
Joined them. whats the matterT
The boy from whom the front tooth
was missing met his eyes gravely.
well, quite . lot Of things" He
was 4 veritable Michael Higgins. I'm
the first place. you ses-y"
It was a long list Of grievances
that followed and Stephen listened
with nattsring attention. There are
times when / wish worked in a
garage and not . law once. This is
one Of them." There were four heads
now that bent over the recalcitrant
toy.
1t was here that Michael Higgins
shielded by the thicket Of basel and
sumac, locked down upon them. Mrs.
Higgins' skirt was torn and muddy,
and the two boys. in their English
suits, locked - un-English ~ any
two other citizens Of Illinois.
Suddenly there sounded . faint.
wjstful stfuggle In tho soul Of the
motor.
"Golly, did you hear thatr' It was
. piping voice. shrill with excite
mont. '.ooily Mosss!r
hut the struggl6 was futile ana
all fsur mechanics brolks at once
into vol16y ~ eenfussd half eeHs'
t.nces Of expianStion.. i.1 !
- ,yr,,sr ~ KIN nj Michael HfnS