Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1893-05-19

He turned away. Victoria listened
bresthlessly until he reached the foot
Of the stairs, then she turned fran.
tically 10 the crib and clasped her
baby close 30 her breast. ''Better
far better, for us TO die now and be
beyond all the crime and suffering
and punishment Of this world" Then
she thought Of awakening aud warn.
ing Robert that he might escape
while there was time. II was the
most anxious moment Victoria had
ever spent, even In that garret room
Overcome by the strain she sank to
the floor in swoon. When she
awoke, she was surprised TO find her
husband gone. For the moment she
thought only Of him and was glad
that their humble lodgings would not
be the scene of his arrest. Shelonged
never again to be able to think or
feel and to be where anxiety and fear
were unknown. Her glance happened
TO rest on her sleeping baby's face,
and a revulsion of feeling swept over
her. II must be brave for the child's
sake" she murmured.
Another knock at tho door startled
her. She opened 1t to find standing
there the same man who had asked
for her husband few hours before.
Us Mr.. Desmond at home nowT
he anxiously inquired.
He is not" replied Victoria.
"You are his wife are you notY'
II am"
II come from B. Bros, he con-
tinued, naming one of the largest
banking houses in the city. "Quite
sum Of money has been deposited
in our London house to your hus-
bands credit, and we would like to
have him call at the Office This IL
our address," handing her card.
please request your husband to
come during banking hours and as
soon as possible.
The stranger bowed and retired.
Victoria hardly knew whether she
was awaking or dreaming. The earl
must have sent money, she thought;
but it was too late-too late now"
she passionately cried.
Snatching the letter from the man
tel she broke the seal and read as
follows:
Through my banker send you el,OO0. More
will follow should 1t be impossible for you to
make suitable business connections with the
first installment. thought you unworthy OF
trust after you had brought misfortune and
disgrace upon wife and child by indulging your
passion for gambling. But have the feelings
Of . father and have not lost sight Of you.
have heard of your energy and self denial, your
honesty and pride. Work Is no disgrace, not
even the kind that you do ! hope you will
profit by your experience now you see that
others must bear the consequence of your reck-
lessness and extravaganza. Your wife and
child have had to suffer keenly for your folly.
"Too late," sobbed Victoria; this
help is of no use now" Then the
thought came to her, Robert will
now have means to escape" He had
not yet been home. Perhaps he had
left the city and was wandering
about lonely, hungry, cold, without
shelter or money, and yet with $5.-
600 at his disposal if he but knew 1t.
The contrast with their abject pow
erty made the sum seem greater
Once more a visitors summons in
terrupted Victoria's thoughts. She
opened the door mechanically, but
retreated when she saw before her
the man who had left that mysterious
letter for Robert few days before.
lis Bob in2" he inquired.
mo" answered Victoria, "he has
gone away. What do you want1"
"How is his handf"
1T is better, think"
"Oh, we'll, then he's all ready for
work again, isn't he1 We are short
of help just now, and the boss told me
to come around and ask how he was. {"
Grasping the man by the arm, she
said excitedly: "Who is the boss1
What is hei Who sent you7"
why, the boss of the sweeping
gangi Bob and me works in the
street cleaning department. Didn't
ye know thatY"
Come in and sit down." Victoria
continued eagerly. '"Tell me how all
this happened to my husband.
"Well," said the man, seating him
self, I'VE got one Of them new fan
gled sweepin machines which Is
drawded by horses. Last night one of
the horses stumbled, became fright
ened and jumped in among the men
who sweep and shovel the kit. Your
husband seized the bride, and the
horse bit him, but he didn't let go.
He's plucky dog, he is. Then others
came up to help manage the brute.
The overseer won't send out that
horse any more. OF course Desmond
gets his allowance for sickness be
cause he was hurt while at work.
Our superintendent promises that he
shall have an Office job. He must
have heap of schoolin, for he writes
mighty fine. l guess they'll let him
boss the job some day. We boys won't
mind his good luck. We all Likes Bob.
He's a good fellow, only too proud
for US. Well. Imust go now. Good
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