Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-08-23

-DttlQ the IlZlAL liltIFr i va ffiAtt
ELI. How's that Kitty
Il think we can make him comfort
able. the wife said.
well | think so too, Robert.
Bv and by, after three of the chill
dren-the youngest-had been kissed
all around and put to bed, and, by the
way. the little 4-year-old Robert
named after the elder of the ilk, cried
Justify when they tore him away from
Uncle Obert he was to be uncleto
then-after this. said Peter, in his
frank hearty, off-hand way
Say. old fellow suppose you have
come home somewhat under the
weather, ehF'
Robert told him that he had left San
Francisco with between 5000 and $500
in his pocket, but he had been robbed
between Great Salt Lake and Cheyen-
ne of every dollar of it, Il went to
sleep in the car, he explained, lat
night and must have been chlorform-
ed on top of that
well, well, cried Peter, giving
him a friendly pat on the knee, and
speaking from the heart, don't you
worry. Thank God, you have health
and strength. Well fix you up a good
comfortable shake-down here, old fell
low, and we'll look around and see
what can be done. ! wish you could
find work here and live with us. You
shan't pay penny more than 1t costs
us. Anyhow, here's your home for
now, Robert
Robert said he would think of it.
And he told the story of his visit to
the mansions of Nathan and Thomas,
Peters brow contracted and his face
grew dark. He said but little. For
my Kilty's sake he whispered, Il
never speak the names of those men
when | can avoid it. -
1t was very near the hour of mid
night when the trio began to think of
bed As they arose from their seats
Robert took a hand of Peters and one
of Kitty's and so held them while he
spoke. His voice was tremulous, and
his eyes were trimming.
Peter - Kitty = True hearts r /
don't want you to be spending the
night in speculations upon the future.
| came back to the old home resolved
that | would put my three cousins in
to the balance and weigh them. l
have done it, and you know the re
suit. / told you | was robbed on the
road SO | was, butt had taken the
precaution to send my fortune on
ahead of me so | only lost the trltie |
had reserved for expenses on my jour
ney.
Dear hearts When | came to
reckon up my possessions, SIX months
ago, and found myself the owner of
more money than | could ever spend,
| felt the need of the one thing that
was not mine-a true heart to love
a heart to love me in return-and
somebody to help me enjoy my wealth
There Now to bed, and on the NOR
row we will consider. One thing, my
dear Peter-your days of digging and
delving are past and gone. Kitty"
He drew her gently toward him, and
she kissed nina sweet, sisterly kiss,
warmed with dewy eyes, and loving
smile, but she could not speak.
On the following morning Robert
learned for the first time that the
grand residences of Nathan and
Thomas Speed were for sale They had
reached the end of their financial
means, and wished to sell out and
leave the place.
Then Robert sat down, with Peter
and Kitty, and frankly gave them a
statement of his wealth At first Peter
could hardly believe that he had heard
Alright; while, as for Kitty, she could
not comprehend the vaStness of the
sum; but they finally knew this. They
were to be Roberts chosen compan-
ions thenceforth; to fear the wolf
they and their little ones-no more
forever.
Robert went to New York, where he
engaged an agent-who was to work
in his own name-to come to Belmont
and purchase every piece of property
that the Speed Brothers had to sell.
/ There was great wonderment when
T it was known that stranger had pur-
chased all the Speed property; and
that wonderment was increased ten
| fold when a week later it became
known that Robert Ashworth was the
purchaser, and that the palatial mtu
sion of Nathan Speed had been decided
to his half-brother, Peter.
Aye, and more still to Peter speed
and to Peters wife and children, had
been duly made over all the mills,
and houses, and lands, clear of all
incumbrance, formerly belonging to
the brothers Aforesaid
But who shall tell the feelings OF
Nathan and Thomas when it came t.
them that the poor wayfarer-thc
brown-faced cousin-whom they
had so hashly turned from then
doors, was the power behind The
throne that had furnished all the
money! o. the torture of their vain
regret and deep chagrin was terrible
But that was not the worst The
worst came when Nathan's wife was
brought to the need of applying tc
cousin Robert for help
The GROWING JOY was yet to COME
"a Joy of which Robert Ashwortl