Evening star., 1895-08-13


strange as 1t may seem to you, believe
the little fellow is doing him more good
than the doctor. His Christian name he
tells us Is Frank. but he does not speak
not quite make out his surname, although
you are no doubt aw.rre Of it. He was not
at all disconnected l. find himself in c
strange home last light. He seemed
to think it was the pla.e he was intended
to come to. He roamed about the house
quite freely; bit too freely we thought
at first for he got into my sons room,
walked up to the bed. and placed his hand
on my sons We were all surprised at the
effect My son, who was in state of
semi-consciousness. looked at him fxedly
Tor moment or two. and then, with
strength we had not thought he still pos
sessed. raised himself on his right elbow,
leaned forward in bed. and smothered the
boys face with kisses. Then he sank back
exhausted. 1t was all SO sudden and un-
expected that we were fairly startled. And
ever since then he has seemed not to be
able to bear the boy away from him. If
he only feels the little fellows hand in
his, or touching his face or head he is
calm and content, but if the hand is with
drawn he becomes agitated and restless
Yon will readily understand. therefore
that l am very unwilling to part with the
boy just at present But you can see him.
and telegraph to his mother that you have
done so, and that he is all right And now,
just one question-can you tell me who is
the boys mother"
Is Fairhome. Her name before marriage
was Vaughan-Ethel Vaughan; and 1 have
heard today, although she has not told me
herself. that she was at one time engaged
to your son."
Il thought as much-I thought as much"
said Sir Philip, pacing the room excitedly
"and is her-her husband with herr"
Her husband died two years ago." I
said; and rightly or wrongly, I felt consid-
cradle pleasure in giving the information.
I could see that the baronet was consid-
erably relieved by this announcement He
looked into the fire meditatively for mo-
H,ent or two, and then said: May I ask
you to convey message from me to Mrs.
Fairholme? Tell her 1 am most anxious
her boy should not leave here at present
No doubt, however, she is equally anxious
to see him and satisfy herself that he is
really safe and sound. AS the boy cannot
go to her, ask her to come here to him.
Ask it as favor to myself. and for the
welfare of my son.
VERY well, Sir Philip" replied, IT will
convey your message with all POSSIBLE
speed. But am anxious to know how the
boy happened to get up to the hall Do
you mind telling me how you account for
it:'
We'll, in view of what you have told
me since you came here don't mind say
ing that l believe it was provdential ar
rangement. AT iirst none of us could un-
Gerstand it. We were simply dumfounded
when the little fellow walked into the
house among us -ast night, and quietly
pTCceeueu TO take MS OVercOat, ana
make himself at home. In cur anxiety
about my son, however, he was left un-
questioned for some little time, except by
the chldren.who soon became quite friend
iy with MIN; Later on, we questioned him,
but he could tell us nothing except that my
wife was nurse, and that his mother had
sent him TO live with her until Nellie was
better, and Nellie we understood to be his
sister,
I'VE knew the boy had not been in the
carriage with us, we questioned Will
Jams, the coachnan. and he said the boy
rode on the box with him. The station
raster piaced HIM there. William says.
Williams knew that the boy was not one
of ours, but thought that as we had been
visiting some relatives, we had brought one
of their children back with US, and there
Tore ne raised no question, AMI on arrival
here lifted the boy down. and he passed in
to the house with the rest of the children"
Il think it IL all quite clear now, Sir
Philip l said, land the explanation of
what seemed very mysterious disappear
ance is, after all. a simple one"
Il feel that 1 have failed IN one hing"
said the baronet; II ought to have sent
word to the station in antcipa ton of in
quiries being made for the boy. But last
night we were all upset in consequence of
the accident to my son, and it was very
late before we could fully realize the po-
Sition of affairs. Ard then, as you know,
the distance to the station is rather con-
siderable. So the duty left until this
morning, and this morning there have been
difficulties of various kinds which have
prevented me from sending a messenger
to the station until about an hour ago
when man started. You would probably
meet him on the way. And now You must
have some refreshments, and then the
sooner you get the news and my message
to Mrs Fairholme the better for all con-
cerned."
In a very short time was driving back
to the station, feeling, I need hardly say,
considerable satisfaction at the success
which had at last attended my efforts to
recover the lost boy, was just in time to
catch train 10 1thyl and at the end of
another half nour l WAS turning into the
little garden-pa'h leading to the front door
of No. Colwyn villas.
The door was thrown open before
reached it. and Mrs. Fairho!ine. flushed and
eager, stood before me, ana glanced anX-
iously for one moment into my face.
You have found my boy!" she cried; 'I
see it in your face! oh! / am so thank
full. Come in and tell me all about it,
One of my most precious possessions is
a large photograph of a bright, handsome.
fearless-looking boy, dressed in a Little
Lord Fauntleroy suit, and carrying Lon
don and Northwestern Railway Companys
timetable in his hand. The photograph is
most handsomely framed, and hangs in my
best room at home. In the drawer of
small cabinet in che same room is a letter,
also very highly valued, which reads as
fellows:
Dear Mr.. Barnes: I want you to be
good enough to accept from me the
Companyng photograph of my boy, as
memento of your successful search for him
on the occasion which you, no doubt, so
well remember. My husband and I shall
always feel that we owe you a debt Of
gratitude for the interest you took in his
recovery. l need hardly tell you that we
are thankful. also. for the indirect results
of what regarded at the time as a most
unfortunate occurrence. We often say
that We believe it was Gods way of bring
ing US together again. 1 may at least say
this to you, for you know something of
the romance of our lives. And be assured
that in my husband and myself you will
always have friends who will be glad to do
all that they can to promote your welfare.
Believe me- very gratefully yours,
ETHEL SANDFGRD."
The End