The Princess had never known such a case before. That woman did not seem to be a thoroughly bad woman and there was evidently something in the man to make it worth her while to stick to him. His selfishness and drinking had embittered the whole of his wife’s early life and shadowed the childhood of his children as well as leaving them dependent.
The next day the Princess drove to the Colony. She saw Tom Vivian and talked over what was to be done. They sent for Mira and told her.
Shortly after Tom called at the house where the child had been found by the Princess, but as he expected, they had gone.
CHAPTER XXIII.
The title of Prince had been given Charley Evens because he had proved himself an unusually bright and shrewd as well as a liberal and broad-minded man; all classes liked him. He secured the first coal mine for the society by his clear reasoning among his friends who had money saved.
“Invest it,” he had said to them all, “I have been to the mine; I have worked in it. I tell you it will pay with the society’s protection.”
His manner was so forceful that they believed him and it turned out as he had said. The mine was the means of increasing the members to many thousands in the city because coal could be bought cheaper by members.
Then he pushed the automobile system. Everything he did was a success because he gave his whole mind to it. From small beginnings, the savings of the members to thousands of dollars he had used to start factories. All trusted him; in return they were receiving dividends that were earning them neat little incomes. Of course he was a favorite and one and all said he was a prince; it is a pleasure to do business with such a man and they demanded that he receive the title of Prince Charley Evens, just to show their appreciation. He had secured a good income for himself besides helping others who needed assistance. He was a friend upon whom all relied. When he found that Geron Vivian was in danger of losing his property by foreclosure he went quietly to work to secure it to the family and presented it to Mrs. Vivian, Geron’s mother.
It had been arranged that a double wedding would take place after Thanksgiving day, and Prince Charley and Paul had secured apartments in a new building especially fitted up for young married couples. They each had a suite of rooms opening into the same hall and Scoris and Helen were giving them their finishing touches before their friends arrived. Beautiful presents were in each apartment, many gifts from people the least expected to remember them. Everywhere evidences of the love in which they were held in the community. All had seen the rare china, the silk drapery embroidered by loving hands. Everything that could make a home lovely and a place of rest was there. They were holding a reception so all their friends could see them before they left for their travels. It seemed as though the family could do nothing all day but walk through the apartments and admire it all. Each hour brought some new gift. Mrs. Vivian enjoyed it as much as the rest.