Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1888-12-22
CHAPTER ".

CHAPTER ".
"Lucy, my dear" said Mrs. Dawbarn the
next morning as she entered the invalid'S
chamber, Il and papa have been talking
about you"
''Ycs, mamma" said Lucy, with an evil
dent want of interest in the subject
'And what do YOU think he says"
Don't know, mamma
"He's going to make some alterations in
the bank"
"Ch, indeed"
Miss Lucy had not the smallest solicituds
about the bank.
'And what else do you think?"
"Oh, mamma, | am so tired" said Lucy
peevishly.
''What else do You think he means to doc"
continued Mrs Dawbarn, bending her ma
tronly head over her daughters face. and
pouring into her ear words that made the
girl flush scarlet and her eyes flash.
"Oh, mamma, it can't be true!'
My love, could deceive your
mo, dear mamma, no; but oh, is it true?
Kiss nc, mamma Gear | am 50 happy and
so thankful and-and in little time, when
I've thought over how happy l am, papa
may come in, and I'll kiss him and thank
him, and tell him how grateful | am too,
andn--
But poor Lucy could get no further, and
sobbed and wept with delight
MY darling, kiss me now" said her father,
advancing from the door, behind which he
had watched the effect of the news. IN do
anything to make yoa happy-anything"
20 papa! my own papap
My darling, you'll love mo now again as
YOU used to do won't you3 and-and- there's
Mr.. Bob Studdens knock. I'll send that fell
low off to New York. mean to Liverpool,
this very night"
Mr.. Bob Sudden was waiting in the dining
room. He was SO changed in face, dress, APP
pearance and manner that when Mr. Daw-
barn saw him he started and said:
Are YOU Mr.. Robert Sudden"
Yes, Mr. Dawbarn, it's me,n said the IA
miliar voice. Il dare say you find me
changed. l do myseR.n
He was indeed altered In place of the
spicl, span, new, nattv, dressy shiny, oily,
vanished Bob, the delight of barmaids and
tho envy of Crooms. stood n shabby, cordu-
roy trousercd, waiStcoutiess vagabOnd smell
ing Of straw and porter Mr. Dawbarn hest
tated before he asked him to sit down
II got your letter, sir, !" said Bob whose
manner was as deferential as his clothes were
shabby, 'and came on Immediately. Sorry
/ couldn't present myself more decently; but
such is fate"
''What are you doing now, Mr.. Sudden"
asked the banker.
AT present, sir, replied Bob, 81 am stable
man at the Cock and Bottle"
Good graciousr'
cts not what l could wish, sir but it's
better than nothing. I'm sorry to say I'm
only employed there two days o weeS-Mon-
DAYS and market days; but still, what with
odd Jobs, manage to grub on"
MI Dawbarn looked at tho ex-betting
mans wan face and wistful eyes, and asked
him if he would take a glass of wine.
Bob shot quick glance, and said that he
would; and in tho keen look Mr.. Dawbarn
read hunger.
"The sherry" said the banker to a servant,
land bring lunch-some cold roast beef
and-you know; and when we've lunched,
Mr. Studden, Wen talk business"
Mr. Studden's performance upon the beef
was so extraordinary that the banker feared
that he would commit involuntary suicide
1t was with q feeling of intense relief that he
saw him attack the cheese; but the attack
was SO prolonged that Mr. DaWbarn feared
lest the sutIocation the beef had left unac-
ce.nnlishcd should be effected by the Stlton.
Not any more, sir, thank yOu," answered
Bob to his hosts complimentary question.
Il never tasted such Il cheeSe-and as for the
beef. it's beautiful haven't tasted animal
food for these ten days For red herring is
not animal food any more than q lump Of
salt is, and I'm sick Of red behring's. Soak
EN- in as much hot water IS You like, they
always taste Of lucifers; perhaps because they
lie next to 'em in the shop. may thank you,
Mr.. Dawbarn, for a real meal such us l
haven't had for-for''--
The wine Mr.. Sudden had drunk seemed
to have got into his head, and from his head
into his eyes. Men are strange creatures
and even betting men are men-and whether
it was the memory of bygone days, or tho
wine, or the bread, or the butter, or the beef,
or the cheese that affected him. cannot be
ascertained, but one of these causes, or some
of them, or all, caused Bob Sudden to lay
his head upon his arms, and to cry coplously
He then began accusing himself, and say
inc that he was q bad lot; that ne was mis-
cradle and repented that his life was
an hourly curse to him; that he knew
he had brought it all upon HIM
self: that all bis friends had de-
serted lIlOo0 ileNi GU
his hospitality, and even his money, when he
was prosperous; that the man who owed his
rise in life to him, and whom he had assisted
at q crisis had behaved to him with an in
gratitude that stung him to the soul; that he
was half starved and hadno bed but in the
stable; that he was Observation-Disclosures had
no hope.
When the poor, broken down gamester had
exhausted himself, the banker began. He
told him that he Cthe banke0 had been ad-
vised to offer him (Studden) employment
because he knew him to be intelligent, and
hoped that his past slfferings had been
warning to him for the future; that tho bust
ness he wished to employ him on was diff
cult and delicate, being no less than to go to
New York and from there to wherever else
it might be necessary to travel, IN search
Of Mr.. Munro; that money would be pro
vided and letters furnished him, and that
he was required to start for Liverpool that
very night; that it was hoped he would not
lightly give up chance that offered him re-