The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1893-04-12

more uopelui tlAn ne ii-- uenc 4oI ! iOlfS
time.
We said nothing more and drove OF.
1t was wet, cold night, and I was
glad when the cab stopped and We left it
at the corner of shabby looking side
street.
Third floor on the right" said George,
partly to himself past the coal yard
over the butchers. You wait here for
two minutes, Tom; if 1 am not down
then, follow me. Back room on the top
Of staircase. l may want you. Don't
stand in the wet. Here's a doorway to
shelter in"
At the end oftwo.minutes I vas climb
ing up the narrow dark staircase. No
sound Of voices anywhere.
"Bird's flown, bad luck to him.
thought. "Awfully hard on George, poor
fellow"
was at the top when suddenly there
came the sounds seldom heard-of
mans voice broken by sobs. striving to
speak quickly and cohereu tly.
"Ah found It's no gO-confessing his
sins, I suppose" I smiled to myself,
and pushed the doOrai aiar.
"Aa, how could have known Georges
voice; always 50 quiet, 50 selfeontroll-
ed? How could I recognize George him
self. kneeling on the floor by the side Of
miserable bed, holding in his arms the
figure Of q man? A head was on his
shoulder; his hands we're smoothing
back the dark hair from thin white
face on which his own tears were fast
falling.
~Come, ny boy, no time 20 lose. You
know me? Bob, dear, quick; say you
know me-your father You must get
out of this. No one knows but me, Bob,
no one will know, no one will follow
you-quiek, quick /"
He turned round and saw me. He had
forgotten my existence, but now seemed
to think that I knew everything.
No explanation that this was his lost
son, whom he had tracked 70 earth, and
whose discovery was to bring him so
much credit. No thought of The object
for which he had come. Toe detect We
was not there; in his place stood
broken hearted father, with but one
thought in bis mind-how best 70 get his
unhappy son out Of the reach of the law
which had 50 nearly caught him
"Come." he cried, in hoarse whisper
to me, ~help him to stand, he Is 50 weak
we must arrange for him.
had glanced around the place. The
squalid poverty OF the unelean room, the
well worn pack OF cards lying on the
chair By the bed, the empty bottle on the
other side, and the stale smell Of spirits
and tobacco in the room all told the
same tale and bore silent bat nnmistaka-
ble witness to the complete mastery Of
evil habits. But of all this George seem
ed TO see nothing. The sharp scrutiny Of
the dstective had given place to the low
ing look OF father, to whom all forgive
ness was possible.
With hasty hands be had taken of
his hat, great coat and scarf, and was
nov hnrriedly putting them-on the figure
who offered no help, and who seemed
too dAzed and beTildered to speak
Here is money, my bow" he whisper
ed in 4 husky voice 1t IS all have
nox, but!you shall have more and here
take care Of this" hurriedly writing
few words on 3 scrap OF paper. See,
put it in the breast pocket with the
purse. Il Is the name OF "a house in Liv-
erpOol. Stay their until you hear from
NE, AMI then you shall get right away
from this. There Is clb waiting at the
coraer; tell him 10 drive 10 the nearest
station. You understand me, Rob-the
money is here in this pocket. Nov
quick. If any
read the thought in his heart. What
If some one had come on the elew which
had helped him, and should be nov on
the way.
"All ready?7 asked.
"Yes. Now 20. l dare not 20 with
you Do not lose a moment Down
stairs and then to your left. Tell him to
drive fast God bless you Bob"
Following him to the head Of the stairs
with broken utteranees Of endearment
and caution. George watched the IN
steady figure descend the steps and list
ened with strained ears until he caught
the sound of wheels driving rapidly up
the street.
We waited for what seemed to me q
long time in silence which dared not
break. Then We went oat into the wet
and deserted street We stopped at the
corner where the cab had waited, and
watched my friend as he stood under the
gas lamp looking into the darkness, not
needing that the rain was beating upon
his uncovered head
There Is q better smile on his face now
than the smile be were early in the even
ing at the thought of his coming succe =.
His reputation would suffer greatly be-
yond doubt, bat what is that to him. He
stands there q defsatei-and satisfied
man.
always meet Miles when want to
keep out Of his way. 81 was no. sur
prised to come across him next day.
~Hs, ha,7 he shoa.el- Queer 90,
wasn't IL Tom ~
@Wlsat Szs27