The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1891-02-14

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HE SAID.
once or twice myself, and not just cas-
ily, though III was all in the game.'
Idont understa nd you, said Russell,
ooldly.
'sDon't my dear boy, don't use that
tone of voice. It makes me feel badly.
I'm glad l decided to do this tking.'
'Wflat is it?''
t'Why, you see, the amount your
father lost in that little deal with me
was about $120, 1000. I've kept the &C
count, and I'd often had it in my mind to
look you mp before chance threw you in
NV way was glad to see you then;
doubly glad when found what splen-
did fellow you were: trebly glad when l
saw how you and Alice were getting on
And now I'm quadrup]y miserable tosce
you give up every thing and go moon
ing round the streets, as If 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
mo feel Il great deal better in t'y mind
1t will give you chance to go of and
take IL pleasure trip. You need one
badly, had thought to make tho
money.a present to you on a certain
very interesting occasion, but IL can'G
wait. don't believe in hanging on Till
Christmas with a barrel OF flour for
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 f you were my own SON."
The world spun round before Russells
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. VI 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 il OF a burden such
as that.
MIR. 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 q day"
81 would take this 1noncy," said Rus
SELL rising excitedly, for, though 1
thank you deeply, will not felgn to
doubt that it is rightfully mine, Some
rumor of that old story MUST have
reached me, for find that it is not new
to mo, though your name was never con-"
nected with it. would take this money,
as have said, and / would also accept
the priceless gift your daughter offers me,
but there is something between us. MIR.
Ray, was made to know her by my friend
who loved her. I thought him dead
when / made my mad confession to her.
To-day + have seen him alive. How
shall T face him having stolen the love
he coveted, the prize he worked for in
the heat Of Africa, Drawing a separation
for her sal1e?'
81 don't KNOW" said Ray, looking up
from card which O. boy had brought
him, "but you might try it in advance.
The man is here"
bore tho name of Walter Brown. a
minute later and the owner or that
name entered the room, Russell would
have turned away, but Brown sprang
forward, grasping his hand
'sDear old follow" he exclaimed,
swhy 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 oday. 1t all grows out
of the fact that there was another Walter
Brown with the company, but he had
middle name which | haven't. Ii seems
the papers omitted to state it.
''I can't look you in the face" said
Russell; ssI have been false to you"
'sWhat does he nean?" asked Brown,
turning in surprise to Ray.
'sHe means that he has been falling
in love with my daughter" said Ray,
dryly.
Brown laughed.
'Console yourself, my good friend, !"
he said, pressing Russell's hand again.
81 was married in Cape Town to the
sweetest woman in the world"
FrrrE rryn !