Evening star., 1923-08-26

H NJ
" A man who had turned the
corner into the empty street stared
with obvious and peculiar interest at
the house before which he was stand
ing. 1t was the Oldest house In the
street, built with clapboards and a
shingled roof.
The man was about as old as the
house-that is to say. about forty-nve.
His name was Abercrombie and the
most important event Of his life had
taken place in the house before when
he was standing. He had been born
there.
1t was one OF the last places In the
world where he should have been
horn. He had thought SO within
very few years after the event and
he thought so nova plain home IN
a small town where his father had
owned a partnership in a grocery
store. Since then Abercrombie had
played golf with the President OF the
United States and sat between two
duchesses at dinner. The two Incl
dents still sat softly upon his naive
vanity 1t delighted him that he had
gone far.
He had looked tixedly at the house
for several minutes before he per-
ceiyed that no one lived there. The
grass had grown wantoniy long in the
yard and faint green mustaches were
sprouting facetiously in the wloe
cracks of the walk. But II was EVIL
dent that the property had been re-
Gently occupied for upon the porch lay
half a dozen newspapers rolled into
cylinders for quick delivery and as
vet turned only to a faint resentful
yellow.
They were not nearly so yellow as
the sky when Abercrombie walked up
on the porch and sat down upon an
immemorial bench. for the sky was
every shade of yellow. Across the
street and beyond vacant lot rose
rampant Of vivid red brick houses, and
il seemed to Abercrombie that the
picture they rounded out was beaur-
ful-the warm earthly brick and the
sky fresh after the rain. changing
and gray as dream. All MS ile'
when he had wanted to rest his MIND
he had called up into II the image
those two things had made for him
when the air was clear just at TINS
hour. So Abercrombie sat there
thinking about his young days.
TEN minutes later another man
turned the corner of the street
a different sort of man both in the
texture of his clothes and the texture
OF his soul. He was forty-six years
old. and he was shabby drudge
married to woman who, as girl
had known better days This latter
fact, in the republic. may be set down
In the red italics of misery.
His name was Hemmick. He was
clerk in a factory which made ice for
the long southern summer. Never In
his life had Henry Hemmick discoV-
cred n new way to advertise canned
ice. nor had it transpired that by tax
Ing a diligent correspondence course
IN ice canning he had secretly been
preparinR himself for partnership
Never had he rushed home to his
wife. crying: "You can have that
servant now. Nell: have been made
have to take him as you take Aber-
crombie, for what he is and Will
ALWAYS be. This is a story of the
dead years
When the second man reached the
house he turned in and began TO
mount the tipsy steps, noticed Aoer
crombie, the stranger. with tired
surprise. and nodded to him.
Good evening" he said.
Abercrombie voiced his agreement
with the sentiment.
Cool The newcomer covered MS
forefnger with his handkerchief and
sent the swathed digit on complete
circuit of his collar band. Have you
rented this?" he asked.
NO. indeed, I'm just-resting. Sorry
II I've intruded--I saw the house was
vacant
"Oh, you're not intruding. said
Hemmick hastily. L don't reckon
anybody could intrude in this old
barn. got out two months ago.
They're not ever goin' to rent it any
more. I got a little girl about this
high"--he held his hand parallel to
the ground and at an indeterminate
distance-"and she's mighty fond of
an old doll that got left here when
We moved. Began hoilerin' for me to
come over and look 1t up"
You used to live here?" inquired
Abercrombie. with interest.
Lived here eighteen years. Came
herein l was married; raised four
children in this house. Yes. sir. I
know this old fellow" He struck the
door post with the fiat of his hand.
II know every leak in her roof and
every loose board in her old floor"
Abercrombie knew if he kept cer-
his companion would continue to talk.
You from up north?" inquired
Hemmick politely. choosing with
habituated precision the one spot
whore the wooden railing would sup
port his weight.
I'm from New York
''So?" The man shook tis head
with inappropriate gravity. Never
have got up there myself. Started to
go a couple of times. before 1 was
married. but never did get to So"
AS though having come suddenly
to a cordial decision. he extended the
hand toward his companion.
MY names Hemmick."
Glad to know you" Abercrombie
took the hand without rising. "Aber-
crombie's mine"
I'm mighty glad to know you, Mr..
Abercrombie."
Then for a moment they both hesi-
tated, their two faces assumed oddly
similar expressions. their eyebrows
drew together, their eyes looked far
AWAY Each was straining to force