Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-06

~ " was killed in an automobile
accident. and then. when
his widow, one short month
after the funeral. married SilaS Bart
lett. the residents of Shipleyville were
astounded. A report gained currency
that SilaS had been her first love. that
she had Tilted him in moment OF
plque and married Ware. and had al
ways regretted it., This explained but
Gid not excuse her shameful precip-
fancy. Her neighbors conceded. how
ever, that the l6-year-old son had &C
ouired kind and gentle stepfather.
But if the son. Robert. had been less
OF stole he might have diSilluSioned
them. Bartlett. the Stepfather. soft
spoken and suave III public became to
Robert in the home monster of UNI
ccaSing petty tyranny. and, curiously.
the wife made no effort 70 protect her
son from Bartlett's calculated pcrSecu-
tons, One Summer afternoon Bart
lett called Robert into the library.
I've heard you talking about going
II college" Bartlett began. with brutal
abruptneSs. We'll. put il out of your
head You can't afford it. I've tried
YOU in my of.ice-and you're no earthly
good. Your father was carpenter,
maybe You'll take to tools I've got YOU
a lob in Allen HincheyS garage. And
get TO bed early. for you start IN the
morning. Your work will keep you out
Of mischief and away from that pauper
next door"
what did little Irene ever do to
you?" cried the crushed boy, goaded at
last 10 angry speech by the unmerited
slur.
mo temper. Young man." warned
Bartlett. Now I'll tell you this. and
you can inform your friend and her
mother I'm going 10 give them notice
to move: and I'm going to tear down
their shack and put up a bungalow.
That's all"
Robert turned away. bitter but hope
less. The Widow Sanderson. weak
and delicate woman who worked in
Mrs. Vogelsang's bakery. and her
daughter. Irene. occupied small
rented cottage on the grounds. Irene
Sanderson. beautiful. elflike little
creature. was the only friend Robert
had left: and now she was to be sent
away from him.
interview with his stepfather, Irene
San6erson saw her mother ascending
the front stairs with especial diff
Guilty and ran to help her. When the
mother began to talk of colored lights
and golden angels. and then when
she tried to cough. and f1eckS Of blood
appeared on her lips. Irene became
terrified. She dashed out of the house
and across the street, to summon old
Or. Godfree.
Diving on her feet" the kind old
had gathered Last stages Of pneu-
n7onia- She'll hardly last the night"
And the doctor was right in the morn
ing Mrs SanderSon Was dead.
Fate now grudgingly bestowed one
kindness on the two troubled Young
slers. Robert and IreEe. Irene was TAX
en- into the home of kind-hearted Mrs.
Vogelsang and the Vogelsang home
and bakery was located on Main street
exactly opposite Iiincheys garage,
where Robert was employed. Robert
and Irene were enabled 10 meet and
converse daily.
On day when business was slack.
Robert had spent an hour in the store
with Irene. He came back wearing a
long face. and his employer, Allen Hin
chey. joked him about his lovemaking.
Good-natured Robert. for once, did not
respond TO Hinchey's humor: instead.
he suddenly became desperately frank
and unburdened his mind Of the whole
story Of his persecution.
so ho." exclaimed the amazed
y
that angel OF a Silas Bartlett was too
good TO be true. And he was In here
last night asking me 70 raise your pay
and every cent Of 1t goes into his
pocket. eh?" He paused thoughfully.
you're 10 now. Robert and I'm pay
Ing YOU SIS week. Candidly. you're
worth $50, and you'll soon be worth
$50 But. seeing how the land lies.
T.! not raise your pay. Instead. III
make bargain"
He pointed through the great open
rear door OF the garage 70 cottage
facing on the next street.
Il took that property for a debt"
BE- explained. IT'S falling apart from
neglect. II you spend few minutes
a day On 1t, painting and patching, you
car turn IL into palace in three years.
You'll be 81 then. and I'll make you
gift Of the house. And I'm getting
siong IN years, Robert When you're
q III need a partner" He held out
his hand rs IT go?"
Robert was too overcome for speech.
Tears welIed In his eyes. He could only
reach for the hand and grasp it
warmly.
And now" said Hinchey, don't tell
o soul except the little girl. And warn
h'r 10 keep Il under her curly yellow
w."
Life took on different coloring at
once FOR Robert and Irene. AT length
cay1e the Gay when Robert was 81.
And S,las Bartlett and his wife re-
r. INBRED this fatefuil date To show
th-lr parental interest in the boy Sc
cr@tiy they planned coming Of age"
Cnaebyation--a surprise party.
Robert went TO work as usual that
morning but al G 80 In the evening
h had not returned At S!ias teie-
p5"2ed the garage and was informed
5h.>s Rooert and Hinchey we're cut
CT repair job. Al guests were ar
irving; o O'Clock came. then 10, and
TIE hero Of the affair was still absent
Then young Zen Lothian. excited and
br-ataless. burst IN upon the merry
gnsgeYE
4 surprise pafty~~IJl say there is
Ee exploded Bows married. To that
llt;!e jane In The bakery. Judge Billow
s.fd the knot. They're having supper
Irm. IN the new homeland they
wouldn't Invite ne in
The party %as az al end A raging
mother and stepfather hurried 70 their
EDUCATIONAL