, 1889-12-01

when her mother, with a c~uriously glad.
yet puzzled look shining through her
tears, caught Ted by the arm in a way
that made him stop.
Then she led them both silently into
the parlor. Lucy started Soliciting the
basket fall-then Ted cried out:
what is 1t? Why are you acting so?
Mother, why don't you speak? There's
something you're not telling me-"
Without replying, his mother led him
across the room and gently pushed him
down on the organ stool. In a dazed
way he CROPPED about and his hands
touched the keys. he seemed unable to
comprehend it, and raised his hands and
held them out helplessly. His mother
caught them eagerly, and he said:
Mother, it's-it's here yet. What does
it mean2'
Here's a letter for you," she replied.
Read it, Lucy. Quick" Ted cried,
e1citedly.
Lucy quickly tore it open and ex-
claimed: "Why, it's a receipt in full.
The organ is yours, Ted. What does it
meanT'
Ted stood silent a with a
clouded face. and then said, half re-
proachfully:
"Motherl Lucy! You've sacrificed
yourselves for me-"
"No, my son." his mother replied.
1--WE wished we could nave given you
this pleasant surprise, but we couldn't.
We don't know anything about it."
"Then it was Hal" exclaimed Ted, and
he turned around without another word
and played a lively air, that showed his
pleasure far better thar words could have
done.
They talked a long while. striving to
explain the mystery, Ted clinging TO his
belief that he owed it all to Hal, though
he could state no good reason. They
hoped their young friend would come
and settle the matter and explain his
failure, but he did not appear.
MI. Amdon came in and reported there
was in the village much indignation and
some threats against Hal for cowardly
backing out and allowing the city man
to win the race. But Ted warmly con-
tended that Hal hadn't failed through
cowardice, and that the village would be
sorry for their threats.
In the morning Ted, his mother and
Lucy were earnestly discussing the mat
ter, when the blind boy started at the
click of the gate, and Hal soon received
a welcome that strangely disconnected
him.
What did you do 1t forT'' exclaimed
Ted.
WHAT" asked Hal in confusion.
why, pay for the organ"
"I-I"-
"And why didn't you take part in the
racer" interrupted Lucy. She hardly
agreed with Ted's belief and wished to
save Hal the embarrassment of saying
he hadn't paid for the instrument, but
she only added to his confusion.
IL found 1 couldn't" he stammered.
but it wasn't because I was afraid, f" he
added quickly, as he saw Lucy's face fall.
but you haven't answered my ques-
ton yet, Hal" insisted Ted.
why. Ted, you know 1 couldn't pay
for it, but you don't know how glad 1
am you're to keep it, whoever it was
that paid for it," replied Hal, recovering
from his embarrassment.
"TWhyi Who could it bey'' said Mrs.
Amdon.
But Lucy was watching Hal very
searchingly. She thought she detected
a unusual expression in his face, and it
was slowly dawning upon her that Ted
was right after all. Hal, seeing her
look, was getting badly confused again,
and was just on the point of rising to es-
cape, when Mr.. Amdon hurried in with
a letter for Ted.
Read it quickl" he cried.
Hal, with his hat in his hand, was
half way out of the door, when Lucy,
after one swift glance at the letter,
sprang after him, fairly dragging him
back, and held him fast, as she said:
"Oh. no! You don't escape SO easily.
You just have to stay right here and
listen. I'm not going to spare you one
bit, if you do blush. Listen to this"
And she read with a conspicuous
tremor in her sweet voice:
Mr.. Ted Amdon-Since sending receipt for
organ I've found out about the young man who
paid the money, and have also learned about your
self. My son took part in a bicycle race, In which
Mr.. Hal Goodwin was expected to win. There was
much surprise that he was not on hand to start
and my son took pains to discover the reason OF
his failure, hearing that he was much censured
and blamed with cowardiee.
Know, then, that instead Of failing through
cowardice, he nobly gave up the race, sold his
bicycle and paid for your organ.
Hal made a desperate rush 10. the
door, but old Mr.. Amdon caught him ia
the nick of time and held him like a
wise.
"Oh! how l wish l could see you now,
Hair said Ted, cropping his way toward
him.
"DSl't say that; L can't stand it," muir
INJURED Hal.
Poor boy!n sobbed Ted's mother, with
her apron to her eyes.
"Listenr' cried Lucy; THAT isn't all.
Let me read on:
Ny son found where he sold mis- bicycle, and I
have a proposition to make. / am In need OF q
good performer, to play for customers, and /
offer you the place, having heard OF your unusual
skill. Mr.. Goodwin deserves reward for his noble
action, so I'll refund the money, and he can re-
buy his bicycle Come to the city at once.
There" said Hal, disconsolately, sink
ing into a chair. al knew it would turn
out that way"
How" asked Ted in surprise.
"Why! Whenever l get a chance to
do something for you that's worth some