Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20

don't want your lantern seen outside
the door"
In Halloran's room with the door
closed whispers were no longer neces-
sary, and the host urged the youth to
forget everything but the good things
of the visit. The cheerful fire, the
genial host, the sight of the opulent
dinner set before the hungry boy-to
enjoy the treat later-all these made
perfect occasion for the boy except for
one trif1ing detail.
There was no knife on the table.
Jimmie felt in his pocket for his
clasp-knife; then remembered that he
had given it to Halloran. To cover his
embarrassment he said:
Aren't you going to eat. Mr.. Hal
loran?"
TOR the table was set for only
: one. mo, my boy" Halloran said,
smoothly "You see, Mr.. Sinclair had
me to dinner with him, and I'm too
full to eat again. But I'll sit by and
chat"
Jimmie was still at loss to know
how to eat without knife. Although
the son of a small farmer, he was
far from being a peasant and was
sensitive about appearing crude. He
could not ask his host to hand him
a knife and felt too little familiar with
hirn-for all Halloran's kindness--to get
up and get one himself. So from sheer
confusion he still fumbled at his poe
kets for the knife he knew was not
there.
Suddenly Halloran exclaimed:
IF fnrUnf tn
serve a knife! Which reminds me-" he
said, as he brought table knife, Il
want to tell you how much I've been
touched by your gift to me. And I
find use for it all through the day.
I think. of you every time I use it,
AS he spoke his hand went to his
waistcoat pocket. A blank look, then
distress came over his face.
why. what have I done with 1t?"
Then with a sigh of relief he remem-
bered. "Of course! I was out in the
bleaching yard late this afternoon help
ing make bundles of linen there and
used your knife on some OF the ropes
to tie them with. Then Mr.. Sinclair
called me and / remember putting the
knife under. one of the bundles until !
should return. But Mr.: Sinclair sent
me on an Grand and forgot about
it at once!"
Jimmie jumped to his feet
please let me get it for your.
Halloran seemed touched.
Jimmie, / wish you were my son!
In fact, think of you as my son. I
haven't a single relative in the world,
and it will give me more than pleas
ure to remember you in my will-not
that I have much to leave. But Mr..
Sinclair has been good to me all these
years, and there will be little some
thing for you when go. Enough per-
haps for little farm like your fathers.
1t warns my heart to think that I can
do at least little for you when I am
no longer here"
Now the tears we're indeed in jim
mics eyes, and even Halloran seemed
deeply moved
"'All right, Jimmie. I'll let you get
the knife. It's chilly outside and your
mine. I don't nlirId--although I sup
pose 4 should imposing upon you. Tt
makes me feel as if you were really
my SON."
Jimmie started for the door, but
Halloran stopped him.
mo, no. not nowta he smiled. 81
won't have you interrupt your dinner.
The knife will still be there when you
are ready to go home.
Halloran kept the boy until after
midnight. He discussed his future
with him, foretold pleasant things,
showered him with kind words and the
attentions of perfect host until the
youth must have. glowed with it all.
1t was with seeming reluctance that
Halloran finally let his guest go. The
boy was eager for the trifling service
of finding the knife for his friend.
Because I forgot under which bundle
I left the knife. Suppose you leave 1t
until tomorrow, when I'll get it"
please let me do it now, Mr.. Hal
Ioran!"