San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-01-08

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I insisted on walking up the road
with DR.. Willis when he left the
Birches to go to the Hedgerow. 1 felt
that il / appeared on the scene with
the doctor. Nicholas Perry would for
very shame offer to return his step
| fathers car TO him. And / had a
dramatic desire to see Arlettc with
the noble old man, whose relation to
her she did not guess and Of whose
benefactions TO her she had no idea.
Nicholas Perry's manner was, as
usual, cavalier. He called DR.. Willis
DOC Jabez" in a manner that seemed
most unbefitting and painfully irrever-
ent. Arlette sat in gloomy corner
of the studio peering at the doctor
with what l liked to feel was wistful
interest. And when he put his hand
on her head as We were leaving, after
he had gone into another room for n
moments secret conference with Nick.
l enjoyed the feeling that she nestled
against him lovingly.
Il am glad you shall have again
your car" she said suddenly. 1T is
Just for you. Always when 1 see you
to 90 by in it, like how you look
so fine and rich together"
I'm not rich, Arlette," said the old
man, .-
"You poor?" she asked.
Poorer than poor" he whispered,
his hand straying in her curls of soft
copper with their misty flights
why don't we have him to live
by us?" demanded Arlette suddenly
of Nicholas Perry.
"Dr. Willees, he is your adopt papa.
think / shall not mind at all the
little more works it make. Mr.. Mich
olas, you shall ask your pere to come
live by us. I think that shall be
nice?"
How about it, Doc. Jabez-consid-
ering who asks?" Nicholas suggested,
mockingly.
1t was BERTHE Lingard, lounging into
the room suddenly. who gave the final
odd twist to the conversation.
"Dr. Willis, have you ever consid-
cred taking a likely young fellow like
me on as sort of general factotum and
man of all work." he asked.
But you are an English Lordsbip!"
cried Arlette. How much you play
that by us you belong-it is lord
you are! How can you be man of all
works? Here you must stay and
wait until l get you well and strong,
so you can again be home"
"Dr. Willis broke across the words
with n quick:
You've enough to do here, Arlette.
Lingard is solving my problem. i
could afford lot of things l need if
L had him to help pay the way by
Il do not let him co." cried Arlette,
shrilly. You shall come here, Doctor
Willecs-not take BERTHE Lingard by
you. Much better that is"
DR.. Willis eyes intercepted mine.
I did not need words to tell me what
was in his heart. l knew how men,
DRY was reminding him of little Berthe
of the North woods-and himself, the
medical student she had loved-too
we'll. / knew he was wondering what
would come of it if all English lord
found the road to Arlette's heart.
II need my own home. Arlette," said
the doctor, quietly. And Mr.. Lirgard
needs the care ] can give him now
at close range. If you will stop and
think you will see that your plan IS
not practical and that mine is wise"
''Oh, wise-wise !" she cried. How
is it that always what want is not
wiser
Arlette turned and started to run
| from the doorway, where we had all
gathered to say goodbye. But BERTHE
Lingard put out his hand and laid it
on her arm. l saw her shrink and
then turn with tingling face to ask
'You think am bHd-impudent TO
this nice old man, who come and spoil
how / live:"
Il think Or. Willis is quite right
about me-" said Lingard with quick in
take of breath and momentary setting
of the lips that made me wonder. Il
shall go take up lodgings with him in
n day or so. Aud he and 1 will have
n car every bit as good as this old
one he's selling TO Nick. A lot ni
things will get worked out nicely. Ar
lette, IL you will just realize that WE
men are older, more versed in the ways
of the world aud more practical thar
little-nightingale who must Learn
to sing. but not to-keep household nc
counts"
There was q throbbing silence.
BERTHE Lingard is planning to pay
for her musical education" shot across