Richmond Palladium (Daily), Volume 36, Number 234, 1 July 1911 — Page 2

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MOT STOW ROM OF A HALL BROOM

THE

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HE Was Only a Struggling Bookkeeper SHE Worked All Day in a Library but Cupid and Good Fortune Found the Way to Their New York Boarding House and Brought Them Hap

piness.

By Mary H. Fisher.

THE -ands on the illuminated f - - of the clock in the Metropolitan tower pointed to the hour of md tin deep, rich notes of the chimes floated over the city. Robert Ilopkina. with coat collar turned up and hands thrust deep in bla overcoat pockets, stood on the curb In front of the Library- Miss Agnew, his fellow boarder at Mrs. Raymond's Bhabby genteel "private boarding house,", in East Eighteenth street, was on evening duty. Md Hopkins was making it his business to see ihat she got home safely to the security of her little hall bedroom. Miss Agnew. with clear-ered purpose to fight her own battle of life In a great city, had often begged Hopkins not to put himself to this or any other trouble on he.account But never since the beginning of their acquaintance, a year back, nad be failed to be sure that be had masculine escort when abroad after nightfall. That was characteristic ot bis Southern up-brlnglng. When Miss Agnew appeared in the doorway Hopkin stepped forward with head uncovered, slipped her took into his pocket aid, without a word, they started off together at a brisk pace in the chilly March air. As they passed the inviting portals of a brilllant'y lighted restaurant, from which emerged the sounds o. music and laughter, Hopkins paused. "Let's go in," he suggested. "A rarebit would taste good, I am sure." Ilia companion shook . her head and " l yrill read the part of tried to hurry on, but Hopkins detained her. "Why?" he demanded with raised eyebrows. "Oh because I don't feel like eating. Really 1 don't I'm too tired." Her escort bit his Up, fell into step again and sulked for several blocks, when he felt the touch ot her hand on his sleeve. "Please, Mr. Hopkins, forgive me. I will be honest with you. I would willingly Join you in a bit of supper in the restaurant if if you would let It be on equal terms." "Equal terms?" "Yes; 'Dutch treat.'" she laughed. "The waiter puts everything on one check and we each pay half." Hopkins drew himself up to i. most majestic height "How often," he began, "have 1 told you that no gentleman" "Look!" she interrupted, as an automobile party rolled up to the restaurant entrance. "It's Caruso, the tenor; two ot the grand tier subscribers and three ladies of the Metropolitan Opera Company. They're out 'slumming,' and are beginning with our restaurant" Her hand was on his sleeve again. "Please. Mr. Hopkins 'Dutch treat'! would like to spend an hour In the presence of auch celebrities on equal terms, you know." "Why do you Insist on humiliating me?" ht demanded. "Why can't you accept me as a man and a gentleman?" "You're humiliating yourself." she said, "it you feel humiliated. If I didn't know your salary that It is no larger than mine I wouldn't make any such nditions." "It's all right." he said; "forget the condition." She stopped, a stubborn look on her really pretty face. "Why can't you do as ao many men In New York are doing nowadays let the woman pay her share?" "Pardon me," he said, somewhat icily, "but I was not raised in this part of the country." When they reached their boarding house Hopkins let them in with his latch key. and in silence they trudged us the stair.

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(Copyright. 1 flirt br Amrlrn-Jirnl-Ermlar. Great Britain KiguU BeurrecL)

At the second landing Miss Agnew paused on the threshold of her Utile domain. "Won't you come in for a little while?" Preparing to mount further skyward, the man stood irresolute. "I'm afraid I'll be keeping you from needed 6leep. The tired lines about Mhss Agnew'a eyes belied her protestations !i the negative, but nevertheless Hopkins entered and lighted the gas for her. With a woman's unfailing instinct for home-making she had arranged her hallrooin to serve as a sitting room as well, transforming the narrow bed by a Bagdad couch cover and a few sofa pillows Into a luxurious divan, and everything else prosaia was discreetly screened or curtained off. Several wellchosen pictures brightened the walls, anf. on her desk stood half a cozen books and a vase of daffodils. "I'rr going to make you a cup of tea," volunteered the hostess, lighting the alcohol lamp under the brass kettle. Hopkins from the depths of the Morris cbalr accepted the cup she handed hlni and drank its contents, replying tut absent-mindedly to her attempts to draw him into conversation. She did not mind, for throughout the long period of their almost daily association she had come to know his moods and to allow for them. At last, after a pariod of prolonged silence, he I raised his eyes from the floor and met her gaze fastened on him. "Wen," she said quietly, "what is it?" "Oh, nothing," he exclaimed, "or rather the will that concern j'ou.' everything. I'm a little more tired than usual of the game. To-night your refusal to break bread with me only enhanced my humiliation. The situation is obvious. I am an able-bodied man thirty-seven years of age, drawing the pittance of $20 a week, which is nr. doubt the summit of my earthly achievements." "Oh, nonsense," she said, trying to toss it off. "Your luck may turn any day." He gave a gesture of dissent "Rather, I'm lucky if I hold my place; there are hundreds of better bookkeepers than I am at that price, all anxious for work. Th9 truth of the matter is I'm a failure." Ruth Agnew resisted the impulse to put her arms around nlm and comfort him as his own sister might have done, if she had lived the baby girl whose faded photograph Hopkins still carried in bis watch, and had shown Miss Agnew in the Winter twilight one Sunday afternoon. Conscious of the sympathy of his listener, Hopkins went oi: "I wasn't made to live in the twentieth century, to fight and win out in New York. Why do I stay? Because I'm hero, and haven't enterprise enough to get out, I reckon. Besides, I couldn't afford to go; I'm one of those fellows who never is a dollar ahead." "How can you tell?" she said. "You're almost new to New York. Loolt at what some men have done here, whose early efforts seemed even more hopeless than yours" "No use." he broke In. with a mirthless laugh. "I'm no Perkinn, to work my way up to a partnership with J. Pierpont Morgan. Lots of well-meaning persons refer me to the case of Paul Morton, of 3honts, ot Vreeland, the car conductor who became a street railway general ma-iger, or or William A. Brad;.', or Charles Frohman, magnates ot tho theatrical world, who once sold newspapers to get a start in life. "I'm not the tuff such men are made of. At heart I'm an easy-going gentleman farmer, as my grandfather and his father were before me, only, instead of tjeir ancestral acres, my heritage is a high stool in a wire cage by day, and at night tha

"'Look! she interrupted. third floor back in Mrs. Raymond's boarding house" "Have some more tea," said Visa Agnew. refilling his cup. "I'm sorry you're feeling so depressed. I thin, it's the season of the year. I saw a roh'n as I passed the park to-day. and it made me long Just Ion to Ret out into the open country and see the green things come out to watch the pussy willows unfold, the minnows plavinK in the gtreanis, and never, never, never have to distribute any mnnj dojt-ejired library books to ambitious little Yiddish children." Somewhat shamefaced at her sudden outburst. Miss Agnew subsided, -while Hop. kins 1 ed at her with a new interest It had never occurred to him that she, too, ir.icht be disgruntled at fate; he liked to spend his evenings with her because she always appeared so cheerful and happy. Yet, after all, she was a woman, well past the first freshness of youth, dependent on her own resources; a fragile, delicate woman, who needed protection and love, as every woman must He rose to go, and for a moment her slender hand lay in his. "I'm a cad to be worrying you with my picayune troubles," he muttered. "Only only you're so confoundedly easy to tell things to." "Good-night," she said from her doorway as he mounted to his own bare little room above. "Come in again whenever you feel blue, and we'll cheer each other up." On the morrow the monotony of Hopkins's day was relieved by the receipt of a letter written in a cramped, old-fashioned hand and bearing a Virginia postmark. The writer, one Peter Floyd, conveyed the information that he was attorney for the late James Morgan Hopkins and executor of his last will and testament, and, acting in this capacity, he would appreciate the courtesy of Mr. Robert Hopkins calling on him the following evening, if possible, at the Astor House, where Mr. Floyd would be staying for a few days in New York. "Mr. Hopkins," he began in his soft pleasant drawl, touching together the points of his fingers, "I presume you are aware that Ihe late James Morgan Hopkins was your paternal grandfather's only brother, and last of the name, save yourself r Robert bowed. "I have heard him mentioned by my father as a child; long before I was boru there was some dissension and estrangement in the family." Mr. Floyd fumbled for his steel-bowed spectacles, and, having adjusted them with great deliberation, unfolded a yellowed document and looked at his guest over his glasses. "I am presuming that you are a bachelor?" Hopkins assented, of course. "Your affections are not engaged; there is no lady you are expecting to make your wife?" Hopkins disclaimed any such intention; what was the old man getting at? "Then." said the lawyer, rattling the paper, "I will read the part of the will that relates to you. Urn m m. Here it is: 'To my grandnephew and last of the name, Robert Seymour Hopkins, the use of my farm, situate in Hopkinsville. Hopkins County, known as Fair Acres, for his life, or so long aa he remain unmarriad." " Here the lawyer stopped and re-read the last clause again very distinctly. Then, " 'at his death, or in the event of his marriage' um-m; well, that makes no difference to you," and he folded up the paper. "I think the language is sufficiently clear?" "Perfectly, ' said Robert, esdeavorias ta

'It's Caruso, the tenor; two of the politan Opera

conceal his Joy. "I have revr thought of marrying: frankly, my finances nave never warranted my paying court to any lady. Hut please tell me some more about Fair Acres." Mr. Floyd, after more fumbling in his wallet, produced a series of small photographs, which he handed to the young man. "I think these pictures will describe the farm better than any words of mine." Robert Hopkins passed from one view to another scenes of meadows tiid woodland, pastures with browsing cattle, fields wis negro farmhands at work. Another and larger view showed a hur country house surrounded by wide eranda. overlooking a lawn whose smooth stretch was broken only by clumps of trees. "And I am to enjoy a'.l this?" said Mrs Raymond's lodger. "You are," said Mr. Floyd, smiling at the man's enthusiasm. "I may add that the responsibility of running the place will be taken entirely off your hands; that is. If you choose. Everything is in working order, and the crops alone yielc" annually a sum more than ample for a gentleman's needs. Some good horses and a pack of hunting hounds are at your disposal. When do you wish to take possession?" Robert Hopkins thumped bla knee. "As soon as I can get there. "Why, Mr. Floyd, Fair Acres compares favorably with Mr. Havemeyer's place up In Connecticut Its master will have all the social powers of an Iselin or a Harry Payne Whitney down on Long Island. I shall live and die a fine old country gentleman. By Jove, I'll take the next train I" He gripped the old lawyer's hand nd hurried away. Miss Agnew how pleased she would -

'"Ruth, do you care?' he whispered."

t the good news; she was always so interested in any joy or sorrow that came into his life. Then, -with a flash of compunctior, it came over him that thi3 was her late evening at the library: she had come home alone. After he r ad me away to Virginia she must always -oine home alone, at tne mercy of every straggling drunken loafer. Poor girl! He wished he might -ke he: with him to enjoy God's own countr. when the fir ' Spring blossoms were peeping their head3 above the sod- If he cculi prccure a cliapsvea, ps.--:

grand tier subscribers and three of Company.' "

could get away from the library -ome time long enough to visit his farm; or, would not it really be simpler if she could bJ induced to marry him? Marry! Why, the one condition that he had this home was that he took no woman to wii.. The man's pace slackened, tnd he meditated cn the emptiness of a bachelor's life at best. What sort f a home could there be. with n-JT a woman's haLd to contribute the final touch; -vtth never a woman to preold at the coffee urn, or nit belJe him at their own fireside? With never a p lining baby son to toss in hi arms? The cramlr.ephew of .Irreg Hopkins, deceased, cl inched his fifs "My uncle's .('(. ntricity tool: it vert on the extinction cf tho name, it appear," ho said. "And shall I" Persistently the imajre of Mis Agnew swam before his eyes: he -v,P, t0 near her gentle voice and her jrefy laugh echoing throughout tho id bonne How a season of rest from care, with plenty of good food and outdoor exercise would bring the roses to her cheeks! In every vision he conjured up cr the .lactation she seemed a component part. Why. he could not imagine himself there without her. He slunk upstairs past Miss Agnew's room, where the light still shone over the transom. He did not wish to tell her that he -was going away; that he was going away to a life of comfort and peace, leaving her to struggle on in the harness. He knew he had been some help to her in the months that had sped by; he had continually been at her elbow to perform the countless little services that a man may do for a woman he esteems. It was long after midnight when r, settled down with ink and paper to indite to Mr. Floyd what he called hi3 -irrevocable decision." "I hereby renounce all claim any !n--ere8t In Fair Acres," the letter ra. "You were right in insisting that I take time to deliberate, for I realize now that I am still too young to shut myself off from r,e best things ia life. True, it is probable I teTer may marry; but here I have a f.rhtlng chance to play the game and wit oat if I can. lly uncle James might as well have 2evi;;d rae aa annuity in' aa c.i tan J

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the ladies of the Metro

home as the use of his farm under aucb conditions." He subscribed his full name deliberate ly, and with even a flourish, and bavins tiptoed downstairs and out to the corner mailbox, returned with lead erect and nostrilt distended. And his Bleep was sweet The next day his work was lighter and more bearable. The men In bla office were plebeians, but still they, were consclentious and hardworking, many of them with the responsibility of families upon their hands. He wondered If a single one of them would have been tempted to aeUr his birthright for a mess of pdfee.'ag he, Robert Seymour Hklns, haTnearly. done. And that evening be met Miss Af new at the library, and came home with her. It seemed years since he had talked with her; such a long interval must not occur again. Once again in ber litUe sanctum be made her listen to the baldest narration of his story, and. simple thou It was. seemed to interest her. At the close. "Did I do right?" h aald. anxious for her word of commendation. "It is not for me to say." she replied, as if to herself. "Oh. but I am ao glad glad that you aren't going!" After that it seemed quite natural to find JeVlnS0? 10 Pre" W "W to And with L yU Care?" h6 hWL And with her answer he knew there had come to them both the greatest thing is the world. It was two weeks later that she brought him a battered letter, forwarded and reforwarded, which had Just reached her The writing, as he opened it seemed strangely familiar, and he them discovered that the signature read. "Pater Floyd." The gist of the letter was as follows: "James Morgan Hopkins, recent deceased, devised his farm. Pair Acres, for life to his brother's grandson; the remainder in fee absolutely and forever to the descendants of his sister Jane and their heirs. As the writer is Informed that Miss Ruth Agnew is the only descendant of Jane Hopkins Agnew, the life tenant having renounced his interest, there is rothlng to prevent Misa Agnew front entering into the immediate enjoyment of her estate." ::r 'v.,-... In all their talks, comparative genealogy had been the one topic on which Robert and Ruth had never touched, but now there came a torrent of eager Inquiries and explanations. "How stupid I was," she exclaimed at last, when all was clear. "But my grandmother died before I was born, and I don't believe I ever heard her maiden came. Why. we're cousins, aren't we? And our great-grandfather's farm will be ours." "Yours." corrected Robert. "I don't see." half ruefully, "but that I shall have to swallow my pride and live on my wife's estate; the one thing I always said I should never do." "You forget" she reminded him. "of certain sacrifice you were willing to make for me." And then, as she drew him closer. "Dear heart, what does anything matter, so long as we have each other, and can plan our lives together?" "Nothing else cetters." he agreed and then glanced half humorously into ber, eyes, adding: "But promise me one thing. When we are married and luxuriously established on your Virginia ancestral estate, be kind and never, never remind ma how I used to refuse haaghtily to let yoa ttsca 'Dutch treat." :

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