The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1886-07-10

lanu IL be might not watch nights WINE
she slept Mrs. Waite, shrinking at first,
lest she might be intending, came over
to offer her services, aud said Helen
would remain home from school if she
could be useful. Mrs. CORTLAND re-
membered the breakfast conversation,
and wished now that she had called
when she saw that this woman alone of
all the neighbors dared to enter the house.
Mrs. Waite always tried to do her duty,
but now affection came in, for had not
the boy been noble friend to her Ar
thur?
Henry talked much in his delirium of
the jolly bicycle rides in the country and
called for Arthur, but when he came, the
bright eyes showed no look of recogni-
tiop, and the boy went away nearly heart
broken. The sickness was of short du-
ration, and then the Courtlands buried
their idol. Arthur brought back the BIZ
cycle and laid it on the door-steps, and
never rode upon it aftelward.
"Mary," said MIR. CORTLAND after
months had passed, such months as a
man knows who has buried the one bright
thing in bis life, give been thinking I'd
| like to adopt Arthur Waite. He is a
warm hearted boy, not SO handsome as
our Henry, but noble, and then you
see our boy loved him so WE'LL"
| Mrs. Courtlend was fond of him, and
yet she was not quite ready for this step,
for him to bear their name and have q
share in the property, but sorrow mel
lows us all and she gave her consent.
The manufacturer, who had grown ten
years older in the past year, knocked one
morning at the door of the little cottage
on the side street. Mrs. Waite left her
washing, and, while little surprised,
was in no way abashed by his presence.
usual intelligence, but unfortunate in
business and had died when matters we're
at their worst. She had preferred wash
ing to breaking up her little family, for
there were few things which mother
could do at home to earn money.
Mrs. Waite, I've come to talk with
you about an important matter. Ever
since Henry died, 1 have thought should
like to adopt Arthur and make him my
| heir"
The color left Mrs. Waite's cheeks.
Here was an opportunity of which she
had never dreamed; wealth and position
for her boy; a way opened for him to go
to college, perhaps; but how could she
| spare him! She had toiled for him from
his babyhood. Mrs. CORTLAND was proud
and could not love him as she did. But
she must not stand in the way of his best
good. She was growing older and could
not work always
81 thank you, Mr.. Courtland," she
| finally found strength to say. "It seems
to me that I could never give up the boy,
but will pray over it and let you know
"He is a noble boy, Mrs. Waite. We
have had many talk together when
have taken him with me to Henry's grave,
as I often do. Our hearts sorely long for
some one, and we know of no one so dear
as Arthur"
Mrs. Waite washed nervously, and
there was throbbing pain in her head
all day long. When Arthur came home
from school she told him of the visit.
Would you go and live in the great
house, dear, and be educated and have
money!"
"And leave you? Never, mother" And
the lad of thirteen seemed to become a
man at once. "Ycu've worked for me
and if I live I'll work for you. Mr..
CORTLAND is grand man, and if he offers
to help me go to college I'll take the
money and pay him back"
And so a note of earnest thanks was
sent to Mr.. Courtland, and Arthur re-
manned on the side street under the lowly
roof
The time came when Helen was to fin
ish the high school, and be ready to help
earn. One day she came home with
joyous face. "Oh, mother, have good
news. The superintendent has had
call for teacher in fine school West,
and he has recommended me. I shall
have good salary, and you won't need
to wash any more"
"But, my dear, who will care for Ar
thur? He must be educated, too"
sob, know the Courtlands will help
him. Mr. CORTLAND never wants him
out of his sight,"
at don't see how l can possibly have
you go, Helen, but what is best for you
is best for us ALL"
The simple wardrobe of Helen was
soon made ready, and then with brave
heart she said "good-by" to the two who
were all the world to her, and went out
to new scenes. The work was hard, as
teaching always is-nerve wearing and
exhausting workout she made herself
loved by scholars, sympathizing especial
ly with any who were poor. At the end
of the year she was re-engaged, and now
she began to grow anxious for the mother
to come West and make home with her.
Mrs. Waite had given her consent that
the Courtlands should send Arthur to a
preparatory school for college, where he
would be in good care, and the house on
the side street, where SO many happy
L