The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-17

brstly-bearded, weatber-bea lace anu an
aggrcsslvely- dumping tread.
well sir?" interrogated MIR. Purdy.
Before making answer, the stranger, seem
ino sure of his welcome sat him down without
invitation in a handy chair. =.
~ reckon" he said cheerfully, "you don't
remember me?"
"No, sir" answered Mr.. Purdy.
mot surprising" returned the stranger:
"Twenty- odd years is long time. But
have known you anywhere"
The intruder elevated his heavily -shod leet
to a convenient tabletop.
"Wel, sir 2"
any name" said the stranger, sis Hemway
Mick Hemway."
What can do for you, Mr.. Hemway
"Dou't remember me yet, Ell? Well, you
remember old Romford, up in Connecticut
Recolect the Hemway family-lived SIX
houses down the village street from your
fathersP Recall me now?"
"Ah. yes Nick Hemway. of course" One
must greet the comrade of his boyhood with
becoming cordiality. Glad to see you Hem
way. Let me see. You went South?"
Nope" answered Mr. Hemway; went
West This is the first time l have been back
Twenty odd years is long time, Purdy. l
didn't realize how long il was till L started
down the street in old Romford, the other day.
Out IN the West a man gets used TO seeing
cities in less years than you have fingers on
one hand, or died as rapidly as they sprang up
but be always continues to think OF the old
home village as remaining the same as 1t was
when he left it. And, somehow, the memory
of it grows dearer and dearer to him as the
years go by. and the picture of it as it looked
when he went away grows clearer to him in
stead of fading. And by-and-by he begins to
grow hungry for the sight of it once more. He
remembers just how each old house and tree
and fence looked, and the people, and-wel
the hunger keeps growing and growing, and
we'll packed my grip-sack
Il hope you enjoyed revsiting the familiar
spots 4" said Mr.. Purdy, without animation.
If ] didn't it was my own fault" an
swered Hemway II forgot that people
change The scenes looked familiar enough.
But-well, a few people move away from those
old Eastern villages-not many. They die
there the same as anywhere else. went out
to the little cemetery, and -
He had fingered long beside two mounds in
that village cemetery. Nick Hemway had had
his romance in the long ago. What matters it
now what caused its dissipation? Perhaps he
had been too hasty; perhaps she had been TO
blame. He had gone away, but had never for
gotten. Now she lay beside her husband in the
village churcbYard. The husband had been
one of Hemway's boyish comrades.
The man from the West had stood long
time beside the graves in the dusk OF one even
ing with his head reverently barred. Then he
had gone away What he felt he had revealed
10 no one. He said nothing 10 any one of his
visit to the churchyard-mad no inquiries re-
garding those who lay there. The next day he
had come to the city.
Now, he looked at Mr.. Purdy's suave, calcu-
lating face as he paused, and then abruptly
changed the subject.
" Are you married, Purdy?". he asked.
Yes" was the answer. Il have been mar
ried - years"
Anybody know?"
q No; married in this city,"
"Rich?"
"Woll-ah-my wife possessed considerable
property. p
"Of course! You always was money maker,
Hud."
Mr.. Purdy had not been called Hud" since
he left old Romford. Men were not given to
addressing him Familiarity. But one cannot or
der comrade Of his boyhood out of his private
Office because OF little familiarity. So Dir.
Purdy simply asked:
" Are you married, Nick?"
Nope Never had time In the West a man
must hustle TO keep Isis head above water
And Mr. Purdy gathered that the means of the
other were limited.
moment later messenger boy entered the
Office with a note. Mr.. Purdy read it hastily
and then called the bookkeeper.
Have you the account made up?" he asked
of the latter
Yes, sir. The entire shortage is $3.50.
Seventy dollars of it has been repaid in weekly
installments of s. each"
- You may 60 said the employer.
Been robbed?" asked Hemway. Clearly
be was not averSe to prying into the affairs of
Yes"
Know what it is, myself. Partner did me
up once. Took il out of his hide though
Probably ] ought 10 have shot him on tie spot"
You must excuse me now. Hemway," said
Mr.. Purdy, turning TO his desk 81 am very
busy. Make yourself thoroughly at home"
Thank you, / will" replied Mr.. Hemway
"Going to prosecutor" he asked, after 10
minutes Of silence.
YES"
Believe III hang around few days and see
this thing put through. Made the arrest yet ?"
No; she is ill.," Mr.. Purdy replied TO his
inquisitor without looking up.
Hemway's heavily shod feet came down from
the table with q thump.
"SheY a woman"
"Yes-cashjer in the shipping department"
Who is she? What are the particulars 2"
Excuse ne, please. j am very busy. She
has confessed q the note / recei we'd few mo.
nents ago. i will give you the particulars
when ] at leisure"
heMHay FgcESd tne note out OF the waste
basket, where Mr.. Purdy had tossed il, and,
smoothing the crumples out, read it:
Mr.. PURDY: / beg and implore you TO spare
me for few days. / am really very i'll. Oh,
have mercy upon me. i viii repay you every
penny il you viii only give me little time.
Oh, Mr.. Purdy, please be friend to me and
spare my name. i confess my sin Oh have
mercy. MARY LESTER"
Hemwsy thrust the note in his pocket
Going 10 prosecute herr" be asked without
comment.
Yes" answered Mr.. Purdy, without look ing
Up.
Believe I'll take a turn around town." said
Hemway, and dumped out of the Office
In the outer Office he learned Mary Testers
address from the bookkeeper. The place was
many blocks away, but Hemway's long strides
put the distance rapidly behind him. The adj
dress brought him TO shabby genteel board
lng-house, one Of those comfortlcss, whited
sepulchers Of habitation
Up two fights of stairs went Hemway's
heavy tread. 4 knock at door brought an
invitation 10 enter in weak girlish voice and
the man from the West found himself in the
presence Of slight, frail figure in cheap old
wooden rocking chair, made comfortable with
quilts and pillows. The room was plainly
almost barely, furnished, but with neatness
anG taste that bespoke feminine hands.
Hemwsy started slightly as he saw the girls
face, and there came up before his thoughts tho
mental picture of a face of long ago. But hs
only asked:
=" Is this Miss Mary LESTER"
No, sir" answered the girl. az am hel