The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1896-10-25

of the house upstairs made into the
biggest, loveliest playroom you ever
saw while we were gone, SO we would
not miss mother-quite so much" she
added, with little sob, hiding her
face on Victoria's neck.
Victoria knew. She had an ache in
her heart, too. for the dear father
that even hard work and her never
failing cheerfulness could not entirely
deaden; but in a minute she remem-
bered her errand.
Can l see your father, do you
Think she asked. ITS so needful 1
Evelyn patted the cheek nearest her.
Yes; I'll ask him, and then 1 tell you
what: You come up afterwards, and
we will give you some truly tea
out of a truly brass teakettle. with
really steam coming out of it's cum
ming nose, finished Harriet.
Victoria laughed.
I'D love to come better than any
thing" she added. IF the storm won't
come soon and brighten Molly"
So they all went along the beautiful
hall TO the library door, which Evelyn
softly entered, leaving Victoria on the
threshold.
A FRIEND INDEED.
1t was dark with the coming storm,
but Mr.. Marcus. sitting at his writing
table, touched a button that flooded
the room with electric light.
What is it, Evelyn" he asked
''What do you want, dear?'
20 papa" said Evelyn. going up to
his side, do you remember Victoria,
our vegetable girl, that we told you
about? She used TO bring us such good
vegetables. and let US drive behind
Molly, her horse. Sometimes Albert,
her brother, came, and sometimes she
and-and-mother liked them same as
we did, and always bought their
things. She wants to see you, papa,
dear"
ITO see me?" said Mr.. Marcus, sur
prised.
Yes, dear; and then she's coming
upstairs to have tea with US" SO Eve
lyn and Harriet raced upstairs to get
ready for their guess.
Victoria stood forward, much
light. My father was Henry Hobbs,
sir she said. with a funny little
courtesy, land he said you were his
friend. she began.
Hobbs?" said Mr.. Marcus, after a
minute. Yes, yes, of course: he was
our porter at the office, and bought
his little place of US. Yes, indeed, l
remember him well. He did me a great
service once. Is he ILL.," he asked.
Dear, sir" said Victoria, her round
chin quivering fast. and we are Behind
with the money. and the firm ave said
we must pay or go. We will pay in
time, sir, every cent; but now we can
not at once, but viii do 1t as soon as
we can
Mr.. Marcus face was troubled. you
know, Victoria. 1 have had trouble.
too" he began, and she nodded her
head with quick sympathy. IF I had
been at the office this would never have
happened. I had q great respect for your
father; he was honest as the sun, and
he probably saved my life once"
Victoria looked up with start.
Did he never tell you about it? Well.
that was like him. A poor fellow,
whom We had been obliged IL discharge;
came into the Office one night, when /
was, as ] supposed, alone there. and
demanded money at the point of the
pistol But your father, hearing his
voice. came softly in. and Selling the
fellow from behind. bore him to the
floor. tried to get Hobbs to accept a
deed of gift of his place after that,
but he would not He asked me to be
a friend to his family if they needed
one, though, and I am afraid l have,
in my own trouble, forgotten this, but
/ am glad you came to me, my dear.
Now go up stairs with the children. and
will telephone the Office and fix every
thing all right
Victoria's face was radiant "Oh, you
are so good,' she said. THANK you,
sir, for the good word, l can take my
mother and Albert she continued. and
with another little bobbing courtesy,
she went out
Such playroom as this. yictoria's
eyes had never seen before. Stocked
with toys of all sorts. books and pic
lures, it was like glimpse of fairy
land to her, who had known no side
Of life but the hard working one, filed
with more or less care and worry.
THE STORM.
While her little hostess friends were
pressing truly tea and fairy cakes upon