The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-05-16

AFTER THREE Hours DICK CAME TO REY-
EoLDs's PLACE.
a man wanted to gee him at The door Alf
grumbled geod bit at being disturbed, but
finally wen. out.
What do you want?" he growled un-
pleasantly.
II want 10 speal, to you on matter Of
business. Yen Go not know me, do you?"
"No, don't"
Ny name is Reynolds. used to live in
yorr neighborhood back East. came West
TO tske mp Kansas claim, and / live 20
miles south of here. / have only been West
few months, a1d il was just to-day that l
learned of your being here. / have been
away from the old home two years, and had
lost track of ysu."
Well, new that you have found me, what
Ny family is sick, and I am destitute of
means, and In-
Want Money, eh ?" Alf interrupted.
"Yes, if you could enly spare few
dollars. Yea needn't pay me all you owe
ne-I don't ask that-but if you could just
pay me little Of 1t so that can buy food
and medicine for MY family"
Alf shrugged his shoulders impatiently.
+" aaEs ne money fer you," he said. 81
have need Of all / have"
"Eut my wife and children are hungry"
Reynolds pleaded, "and they must have
food. They cannot live without food or
medicine"
81 can't help it," Alf replied, coolly. az
have no money for you now. Some other
time when / have money to spare, I'll pay
you. Goodnight"
Alf turned back into the house and shut
the door. Reynolds sat for minute, stupe-
fed with astoaishment. Slowly he reiaed
HE korse about and started of into the night.
HIS attitude was that of deep grief and hope
less despair.
Dick had followed hlf out and had stood
a few steps distant during the conversation
with Reynolds. He had overheard all that
was said, and Alf's words and conduct filed
him with shame and resentment
When Reynolds had gone short distance
Dick followed him and called him to stop.
II am Alf Sanders's brother" he said, by
way Of Introduction, and ! overheard your
conversation with him. / wanted to ask
you how it comes that ALI owes you
money2D
81 lent him $50 before he left home"
And he has never paid any of it back ="
No; not one cent / would not have
come here aftor it, only / need it so much /
thought he would not refuse me when ]
told him the condition of my family. 1t is
terrible to see my wife slowly dying for the
want of proper nourisbment, and to hear my
children begging for bread"
Dick put lis hand in his pocket and pulled
out a roll Of bills.
"Here,n he said, :" is 500. It is all have
now; but tomorrow l will bring you the
other 10. Take it, and buy food for your
wife and children"
"But it is not your debt" Reynolds OBJ
jected.
THAT don't matter" Dick answered.
"Your wife and children must have food. 4"
LII.
AT an carly hour the following morning
Alf began hi. eastward journey. He pa
tronized Dick quite extensively, and even
went so far as to attempt a word of consola-
ton on his loss of Matilda.
You know, Dick" he said, that Pm
sorry you can't have her; but, then, you'll
get over your disappointment in few
months, and then you can find another
sweetheart"
Dick made no reply, but turned and
walked away.
A feW moments later he met Bender.
"HelIo, Dick,n Bender cried ITS time
you were starting East if you want to catch
the train at the station"
Pm not going" Dick replied.
Not going?" Bender exclaimed. "Why,
how is that?"
j have an engagement south Of here to-
day, and I'm going there"
Coin 10 let Alf git the gal, eh?"
Yes, if he can. It's my duty to do as
am doing"
Dick saddled his horse and rode off to
the south. No one knew where he was
going, nor why, and old Bender, as he looked
after him, shook his head sadly.
Poor boy" he thought, it's too bad for
him to lose his sweetheart like this.n
After a three hours ride Dick came to
Reynolds's place. He found that Reynolds
had not overdrawn the situation of his
family. The wife and children too plainly
showed the ravages of want. He paid the
| other SO, and at the same time expressed the
wish that it were hundred. For an hour
or so Dick and Reynolds talked of the old
Eastern home and of the people there that
they both knew. Then Dick arose to take
4 his leave.
"Alf has gone East now," he remarked,
as be took up his hat; "he started this
! morning"