Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-08-25

hungry" insisted Paul: but his mother had
already flown to the kitchen. followed close
ly by Madge and Edith.
1t was long after midnight before they
thought OF retiring. and even then they
went upstairs and fingered on the landing
Tor half an hour longer, still plying Paul
with questions.
In his own room at last the lad stood, and
Dis first act was to drop on his knees be-
side the white iron bed. I'm which he had
slept since he was a boy Of ten. An hour
later, when his mother stole IN to see IL he
was really there yet the moonlight played
across his face. and as she pressed a Kiss
on the closed eyes she murmured a fervent
Thank God for giving her back her only
son.
And now. having brought Paul home safe
ana sound from his long journey of $1,000
miles, all who have followed his adven-
turous career will be interested in learning
how he was received at the Mercury Office.
Before he had been in Chicago twenty-four
hours he went down town 20 pay his re-
idation he knocked at the EDITORS door,
ana the next minute was back again in the
well-remembered room.
Ii was not strange that the busy news
paper man failed to Identify i'm the bronzed
lace OF the sturdy youth the rather delicate
features OF the lad from whom he had
parted sixteen months before. But when
raul smiled and neld out his hand there
came instant recognition.
why! Whyi Whyi Is IL possible that
the young globe-trotter has returned?' he
exclaimed with hearty emphasis. sit
down. SIT down. my son: you don't know
how delighted 1 am to see you When did
you get back?''
Last night sir"
Last night! Then you must have sur
prised the folks. for I saw your father yes
terday morning. and he hadn't heard q
word since you left London"
Yes, 1 wanted TO break In on them with
out any fuss. so i didn't telegraph from
New York. but came right through"
DO you know. I'm proud of your record.
Paul." said the editor presently. after the
Lad had expressed his gratitude for past
kindnesses; "and before ] forget 1t want
to say that you have well earned the right
TO wear Mercury star When will you be
ready to begin work.
Next Monday. IL agreeable, Mr. Wilder
and then i shall be anxious to make a start.
VIII that suit your convenience"
"Oh. yes, any time. Get rested up good.
and then report TO me. By the way. Paul.
how about that money you were to have
when you reached chicago9"
Thanks to you. sir, 1 was able to keep
my word. As YOU know. had a little over
$50 when 1 ieft home. Well your last draft
In my pocket, together with nearly $40 m
cash. so you see I have made good my
boast"
Mr.. Wilder laughed long ano heartily.
Il
finally declared. Left here with SO in
your purse, been gone nearly a year and a
half. Travelled upward of 5000 miles and
turn Up with something over go. Why. Of
course we want you on the Mercury STAFF;
you're marvel. that's what you are. The
society OF economic research ought TO make
you an honorary life member"
The editor was still chuckling when Paul
went away with instructions 20 report for
duty to the city editor the following Nom
day. AS the lad retired Mr. Wilder ex-
Claimed under his breath: "A dangerous
experiment as 1 allowed, but It is the max
ing OF him.
The story OF Pauls first adventures ends
here or his experiences as a reporter and
later OF his newspaper and literary success
So netting may be told at a future date
But IL may be said that when ne first
pinned on his reporters star IL was with
an inward resolve to be true to his ideals.
TO allow no personal feelings to bias his
Hritings and TO strive always to tell the
truth In this he has remained steadfasf
although not without many struggles and
temptations TO secede. In Mr.. Wilder Re
retained a warm friend. who was always
giao TO give kindly advice to the youngxter
wnom he had practically Induced into tour
watched.
With DIR. Tolman Paul maintained I.
ems every year TO visit America. but so
iar has never made good his promise al
though he Is still a bachelor Jim sticks
TO Australia. ana Grand Rapids is the loser
by IL, for having turned hts mechanical
genius to practical inventions he is now do
ing very well in Melbourne. Every little
while Paul sees face on the street that
Is strangely familiar but so far none of
the many friends he made on his eventful
trip has come to claim his attention
A year after his return home he read
That Edith's father had been transferred
from Fiji to q more lucrative diploma tic
post near home. and when Paul eoes
abroad again he thinks he will certainly
renew their friendship But the lad may
lose all interest lorg before the opportunity
arrives.
Some one suggested to him a few months
after he went to work on the Mercury that
an account OF hts tramp around the world
would make an interesting story for all
youngsters fond OF adventure and Paul
promised to write II out as soon as ne
found time. But I don't suppose he ever
will. do your
THE END.