Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-04-09
new friend of something of their his

MI. Jesse DancrOIJ huuO0uIy Drought
heavy claims on the dead mans proper
ty.
60 never quite understood what it
was-I only knew he must nave been
paid" said the widow, dolorously.
But We hadn't some papers ~ ought
to have had to prove it. So he took
from us every penny, and left MS - you
now see !"
A coufounded villain !" exclaimed
Phil, cracking his egg with the bowl OF
a spoon. as if it had been Mr.. Jesse
Bancroft's bald head ne had got under
it.
"Then all our friends deserted us
Except one r. broke in Laura. with
heightened color, which was not I'M
noticed by the cobbler.
" But one as yet," added the widow,
!" He is gentleman, Mr.. Bradshaw,
who-who was once great friend of
my daughters. He was IN Australia at
the time of our trouble. and though we
wrote to tell him. we have not heard Al
syllable since. You know the world,
Mr.. Bradshaw ~
I" I do, maam ~ answered Phil, EN-
phatically land know that it's sight
better than people would try to make
it,"
"Ah - cried Laura. gratefully, her
face radiant, as invOluntarily she ex-
tended her hand you think he may be
true"
"He'd be the greatest villain under
the sun if he were not, my dear !" said
the old man cheerily adding to him
self, "Poor child-poor child she,
then, has to learn that lovers VOWS are
easier broken than shoe-strings, and
thought about as little !"
After this, still protesting it was
cheaper for him, as q miser, to supply
Mrs. Morton's fire than burn one of his
own, he frequently passed his evenings
with them. He also procured Laura
some shoe binding to do. which, though
hard and difficult work. was some.
thing.
At the end of the week he was gri-
macing at boy through the boots in the
window, when Laura came to pay the
rent.
"Take it away" he said "let it stand
over"
"Oh, we could not think of that )"
began the girl. 1--WE were going to ask
if you would not mind a portion of it
being left for next"
"Take it away !" reiterated Phil,
getting into fury )" 81 won't touch
farthing l like being a creditor-for
| can charge interest
"This Kindness, after all you have
done " sobbed Laura, her tears fall
ing.
$50 away !" roared Phil; " I amt
going to have scene here--they'll be
taking me up for assault and battery
next Be off, and I'll be up to tea in
five minutes"
BLESS your generous heart, which
no assumed roughness can hide " ex-
claimed Laura, gratefully, as she hur-
ried from the shop.
Sitting down, Phil bent his head on
the counter, and bright tears trickled
from his eyes into the boot on his :. p.
Poor thing-poOr thing he MUIR
INJURED she's yet to learn that VOWS
are broken easier than shoe. strings,
and -"
He was interrupted by the shop door
opening. Looking up, he found before
him tall, well-dressed man, with &
bronzed face and thick beard and mus
tache. Phil started.
Pardon my intruding." said the
stranger; "but can you give me the
address of Mrs. Morton and her dau gh-
ter +; heard they were living somewhere
in this street?"
"No !" said Phil. "What do you
want with EN- -"
"They are friends of NINE"
"Swells such as you don't often, I
should think, have friends in this neigh
borhood."
In the land came from, friend, the
rank is not the dollars stamp. But I'll
seek elsewhere"
Stay moment I'll inquire"
Phil, carefully closing the door
behind him, sat down on the stairs and
enjoyed mute chuckle, fearfully apo
plectic in character. On the landing
he repeated it, with much movement
of the legs. Then he entered his
dodgers parlor.
Dropping into the chair placed ready
for him by the fire, rubbing his knees,
his face one beaming smile, he cried.
"Does any one believe in man?
don't. Does any one believe in Aus.
tralian gold.diggers I don't. Does
any one believe in lovers keeping their
vows? Lor' bless you, don't-not
syllable =" Then, turning abruptly to
the astonished women, he proceeded:
Look here I'll give you riddle.
Surprising certain Australian should
come to New York suppose he should
come to me supposing he should come
into this room, how would q certain
party behave? Would she laugh
| Would she faint?"
ooh, mother "cried Laura, starting
ups" know what he means. It is
Dayton !"
My dear, reflect" interrupted the
widow, restraining her.
Yes, she's right "A" exclaimed Phil,
with caper. "It's Dayton
Flying to the door, almost precipi-
tating himself over the .balustrade, he
shouted, "You Australian, come up
You nugget of fidelity, come here
There was the bang of q door, firm,
rapid tread on the stairs, and the beard