The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-10-16
CHAPTER vi


NOR moment or two John
Moberly was wrapped in thought
after Joan left his office. Then,
reaching for the paper she had left on
his desk, he unfolded it and read:
Joan Fairweather
"cIo Rupert Ransome,
Hearts Desire, Fair Valley, n. T..
He gave a long, low whistle and his
gray eyes twinkled as he folded the
paper carefully and slipped it into
pigeonhole in his desk. WELL" he
unused, "maybe it's the best thing she
could do. OF course still believe
she'll make good as a writer, but it's
hard for a woman to carry on alone.
Anyway she'll have time to think things
over in the next six months. Now, l
suppose Rupert will be coming to tell
me he has found a perfect house
keeper"
Knowing Rupert's usual custom
when he came to town, John MOberly
was mob surprised when presently his
telephone rang and Rupert invited him
to lunch. To this he readily agreed,
for it promised to afford him a little
excitment and his keen imagination
of Joan's latest adventure. He had no
children of his own, but there were
hosts of young people to whom he acted
as confidential advisor He was the
sort of man who is interested in youths
dreams and who can often give the
necessary stimulus to make them come
true. Having seen life from many
angles he could sympathize with the i'm
patience of youth and it's sometimes
hard judgments, as we'll as its poignant
sorrows, yet withal his quiet humor
often did more to help young people
over the rough places than any serious
lecture would have done.
When he entered the dining room and
walked toward his favorite table Ru-
pert was already seated. $50 glad you
could come" he said rising. Il didn't
want to waste your time in the office,
and thought this would be the best
way to get chance to talk to you"
"Well, what's the news?" asked
John Moberly. Flows Sonny?"
"Oh, he's all right. As full of mis-
chief as ever" answered Rupert, as
they sat down and studied the menu.
Keeps you pretty lively, / guess"
said the lawyer, putting on his glasses.
eyes, but I've engaged some one to-
day to come and look after him, and
think things should go BETTER" an
nounced Rupert.
John Moberly lifted his eyebrows.
another housekeeper?" he questioned.
Eyes, but she's a different type.
Rosanna is perfectly willing and able
to do all the work, with the occasional
help of a woman, so all the newcomer
will do is direct affairs and look after
the boy"
"Then Rosanna's had all she wants
of him?' asked Moberly, while his gray
eyes looked smilingly at Rupert.
"Well, answered Rupert, shes get
ting on and sometimes he's a bit too
lively for her. However, Miss Fair
weather will be responsible for him..
Where did you find her" queried
the lawyer.
There were about twenty applicants,
but she was the only one would con-
slider" -,
do you know anything about her?'
Intercepted the lawyer.
LAS much as l usually do about my
housekeepers. OF course she told me
frankly that, apart from looking after
her sisters children now and then, she
had no experience. All the others I've
tried have had so much experience and
so many references that between you
and me / don't take a great deal of
stock in them"
well, you can at least give her a
trial." remarked the lawyer, smiling
inwardly.
Surely" answered Rupert, land of
course, if the worst comes to the worst,
l can send Sonny to school" he added
somewhat seriously.
Il don't think you'll have to do that, "
said John Moberly encouragingly.
Talk drifted to other channels, for,
despite the fact that Rupert's home
was in somewhat lonely part of the
country, he always kept himself in
touch with all the events of the day.
Moberly, who had at first feared that
the isolation might prove an occasion
for leading a lazy intellectual life was
decidedly pleased with the way Rupert
kept abreast of the times and delighted
to hear him discuss the questions of the
hour.
To Rupert his somewhat infrequent
week-ends in town were red letter days,
especially since the loss of his wife,
who had shared his enthusiasms most
royalty and revealed in the friendly