The City of Fire - Page 153/221

But Billy had faded down the road with mortal indignation in his

breast. To think of giving up a ten thousand dollar reward and having a

dollar flung at you! It seemed to measure the very depth of the shame

to which he had descended.

The Severns came a few paces out of their indifference to this

self-imposed guest and gathered around the sheet of newspaper

while Laurie held an intensive conversation with his family beginning

with several servants who were too excited at first to identify his

voice.

But at last he hung up the receiver and turned toward them: "Well, I guess there's nothing for it but for me to pull out. The mater

doesn't think she'll be satisfied till she has her hands on me. Besides

I've got to get things started about those jewels. Dad and mother are

too excited to know what they're about. I declare, it's like being dead

and seeing how they feel about it."

There was a boyish eager look about the young man's face that made him

for the first time seem rather loveable, Mrs. Severn thought. The

mother in her rose to appreciation. Lynn was so glad that he was going

away that she was almost friendly during lunch. And when the young man

was about to depart he went to Mr. Severn's study and wrote a check for

five hundred dollars: "Just in appreciation of your kindness," he said as he held it out to

the minister.

The minister looked amused but did not offer to take it: "That's all right," he said pleasantly, "We don't keep boarders you

know. You were welcome to what we could give you."

"But, my dear sir, I couldn't think of not remunerating you," declared

Laurie.

"And I couldn't think of taking it," smiled the minister.

"Well, then take it for your poor people," he insisted.

"From what Lynn tells me you have more of those than we have," answered

the minister.

The young man looked annoyed: "Well, then take it for something for your church, another bell or

something, anything you're interested in."

"I can give you an address of a young missionary out West who is having

a hard time of it, and has a very needy parish," said the minister

taking out his fountain pen and writing the address on a card, "but I

should prefer that you would send it to him yourself. He wouldn't take

it from me, but if you'd send it he'll write and tell you what he does

with it, and he'll tell me too, so it will give pleasure all around.

He's a game young chap, and he's given his life. You couldn't help but

like him."