The Globe-republican., 1891-02-04


onoe or twice myself, and not just cas-
lily. though it Was all in the game"
"Idon't understand you" said Russell.
coldly.
Don't my dear boy. don't use that
tone of voice. 1t makes me feel badly.
I'm glad decided to do this thing"
what is it?''
''Why. you see. the amount your
father lost in that little deal with me
was about $4,000. I've kept the &C
count, and Id often had it in my mind to
look you up before chance threw you in
my way. l was glad to see you then;
doubly glad when I found what . SPLEEN
did fellow you were; trebly glad when I
saw how you and Alice were getting on
And now I'm quadruply miserable to see
you give up every thing and 60 moon
ing round the streets. as il you couldn't
decide whether to drown yourself in the
East river or the Hudson. Now, what
want to do is to restore that money to
you. 1t isn't much; it won't affect me
in the least financially; but it will make
me feet great deal better in my mind.
1t will give you chance to 60 OF and
take a pleasure trip. You need one
badly. l had thought to make the
money present to you on a certain
very interesting occasion, but it can't
wait. don't believe in hanging on till
Christmas with a barrel Of -four for a
poor man who may starve during the
fall. Russell, here's my check. Don't
let any foolish scruple prevent your
taking it It's yours, and feel in Civ
ing it as if you were my own son."
The world spun round before Russell's
eyes. 1t was not the idea Of the money,
but Of what its possession would give
him. As to his right to it he had very
little doubt. II the events had been Of
such . nature as to weigh upon the bust
ness conscience of Gilbert Ray, perhaps
it would be better for the old gentle
mans soul to relieve it of . burden such
as that.
"Mr. Ray" said he. II ought to tell
you that Alice"
II know all about it, my boy. You
have had my consent and her mothers
for many day."
81 would take this money" said Rus
sell, rising excitedly, 'for, though I
thank you deeply, will not feign to
doubt that it is rightfully mine. Some
rumor of that old story must have
me, for l find that it is not new
to me, though your name was never con-
As have said, and would also accept
the priceless gift your daughter offers me,
but there is something between US. Mr..
Ray, was made to know her by my friend
who loved her. though. him dead
when made my mad confession t. hor.
To-day I have seen him alive. How
shall face him having stolen the love
be coveted, the prize he worked for In
the heat of Africa, Drawing a separation
Tor her sake?"
II don't know" said Ray, looking up
from . card which q boy had brought
him, "but you might try it in advance.
The man is here"
And he handed Russell q card which
bore the name of Walter Brown. A
minute later and the owner Of that
name entered the room. Russell would
have turned away, but Brown sprang
grasping his hand
"Dear old fellow" he exclaimed,
why don't you speak to me? Do you
think I'm a ghost? That seems to be
the prevailing impression among the
men I've met to-day. 1t all grows out
If the fact that there was another Walter
Brown with the company. but he had
middle name which l haven't. It SET ms
he papers omitted to state it."
81 can't look you in the face" said
Russell; 81 have been false to H."
what does he mean?" asked Brown,
turning in surprise to Ray.
ale means that he has been falling
n love with my daughter" said Ray,
lryly.
Brown laughed
Console yourself, my good friend"
,e said, pressing Russell's hand again.
Il was married in Cape Town to the
weetest woman in the world"
THE YyD.I