The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-30

al thought as much-I thought as
much, f" said Sir Philip, pacing the room
excitedly; "and is her-her husband with
| her?'
"Her husband died two years ago."
said, and rightly or wrongly, l felt con-
Siderable pleasure in giving the iniorma-
tion.
could see that the baronet was consid-
eraDly relieved by this announcement. He
looked into the fire meditatiyely for
moment or two, and then said: MAY i
ask you 10 convey message from me TO
Mrs. Fairholme? Tell her L am most
anxious her boy should not leave here at
present No doubt, however, she is
equally anxious 10 see him and satisfy
herself that he is really safe and sound.
come here to him. ASK II as favor TO
myself, snd for the welfare OF my son. y
''Very well, Sir Philip,h replied, 81
will convey your message with all possi-
bile speed. But / am anxious to know how
the boy happened TO get up TO the hall
DO you mind telling me how you ac-
count for it?''
"Well, in view OF what you have told
me since you came here, / don't mind
saying that l believe il was a providen-
tial arrangement. At first none Of us
could understand it, We were simply
dumfounded when the little fellow
walked into the house among us last
night, and quietly proceeded TO take of
his overcoat, and make himself at home.
In our anxiety about my son, however,
he was left unquestioned for some little
time, except by the children who soon be-
came quite friendly with him. 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 Nell
lie we understood TO be his sister.
"We knew the boy had not been in the
tl. kNfs
liams, the coachman, and he said the boy
drove on the box with him. The station
master placed him there, Williams 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
Therefore he raised no question, and on ar
rival here lifted the boy down, and he
passed into the house with the rest of the
children -
~ think 1t is all quite clear now, Sir
Philip, l said, "and the explanation of
what seemed very mysterious disap-
pearance is, after all, a simple one.
81 feel that have failed in one thing"
said the baronet; ~ ought to have sent
word TO the station in anticipation OF in
quiries being made for the boy. But last
night we were all upset in consequence of
the accident to my son, and il was very
late before we could fully realize the, po-
sition of affairs. And then, as you know,
the distance TO the station is rather con-
siderable. So the duty was left until this
morning, and this morning there have
been difficulties of various kinds which
have prevented me from sending a mes
senger 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 refreshment, and
then the sooner you get the news and my
message to Mrs. Fairholme the better for
all concerned" "
In very short time / was driving
back to the station, feeling, need hardly
say, considerable satisfaction at the sue
cess which had at last attended my efforts
TO recover the lost boy. / was just in
time TO catcl . rain to Rhyl, and at the
end of anotLD4 half hour ] was turning
into the little garden path leading to the
front door of No. 2 Colwyn-villas.
The door was thrown open before
reached 1t, and Mrs. Fairholme, flushed
and eager, stood beore me, and glanced
anxiously for one moment into my face
"fou have found my boyln she cried
81 see 1t in your facet Oh! l am SO
thankful. Come in and tell me all about
il. ~
One of my most precious possessions is
a large photograph of a bright, hand
some, fearless-looking boy, dressed in q
Little Lord Fauntleroy suit, and carrying
London x Northwestern Railway Com
pany's time table in his hand. The pho
tograph is most handsomely framed, and
hangs in my best room at home. In the
drawer of small cabinet in the same
room is letter, also very highly valued,
which reads as follows:
Dear Mr.. Barnes II want you to be
good enough to accept from me the ac-
compapying 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 shall always feel that we owe you
debt of gratitude for the interest you
took In his recovery. 1 need not hardly
tell you that we are thankful. also, for the
indirect results of what l regarded at the
time as a most unfortunate occurrence.
We often say that we believe II was Gods
way OF bringing US together aagin.
may at least say this to you, for you know
sonnet hing 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 SANFORD"
(THE END