The Houma courier. (Houma, La.) 1878-1939, 1896-07-04


followed, surprised. at finding himself
almost as much in need Of assistance.
4 thought things were bad enough
before this"
Philip said It as he drew near the end
of a three weeks course of rheumatic
fever.
bad enough, / thought, for me TO be
on Mothers hands doing nothing. But
nowt-doctorR bills, medicines, ali.
sorts Of expense-oh myl"
He almost writhed as mountain mon
mountain Of difficulty seemed to pile up.
before him. .
Much neighborly help had come TO his
mother. Inquiries, also, and kindly
messages from all directions, especially
from the boarding-schools, with gifts
Of fruits and flowers. His eyes rested
upon the delicate blossoms, but their
suggestions Of luxury seemed a gro
tesque mockery of their pressing needs.
'You can't find much of your best in
all this, mother" he ventured, with q
rveful half smile.
Il can't, perhaps, my boy. Especially
in your sufferings."
There r times, then, when even
you can't see any best?" he retorted.
with an attempt at jest.
Yes, when I have to leave it to the
One who orders for us to show us His
best. Sometimes He does not sec ftfor
us to show it-on this side"
There was a ring at the door, and his
mother presently returned from an
swering it with a card.
Henry S. Adams" Philip read It
with a misty half recognition of it's
being familiar. But his mind was still
a little dull, and there were so many
Adams all about the country.
He wants to see you," said his
mother. Do you feel strong enough?r
yes, l think so. Ibelieve it would be
good to sec a new face again."
But it was not a new one-the strong,
%clear-cut face with the close-trimmed
beard. With his first glance at it a
host of dim remembrances arose, the
principal one being distinctly unpleas-
ant.
With a second thought he had located
the face. 1t belonged to the chief owner
of the great store in which he had been
employed, and he had seen it last ON
the occasion of his dismissal with afew
cold words.
A flush of excitement arose to the
boys pale face. What could have
brought him here? What could he want
with him?
Neither the voice which addressed
him 0 the accompanying look could
now be called cold.
Il have been waiting to hear of your
being able to see VISITORS" said Mr.,
Adams. II think it will be a relief ia
your mind to know that the lady who
thought the loss of her money was In
some way connected with you has writ
ten ME to say that she has foundit /, and
begs me to let her know what she can DO
to atone for the distress she CAUSED
you"
And you some to tell met" Phiiip'K
face again flushed brightly as hir
heart swelled with rejoicing thankful
ness.
"But,' he said, earnestly, a sober en-
preston following, 81 don't know Of
anything which could make up for such
a thing-eycn if l wanted anybody ia
make up"
9" don't know, either" said MI.
Adams, in a tone of grave agreement.
He sat and eyed the hoy with a face
of kindly interest. Philip flushed and
paled with the weakness belonging to
his illness, trying to ummon up corr.
age to ask a question.
.Then might / ask, sir" he began. ~
you could let me have the situatioa
again?"
II am afraid not"
''The finding of Mrs. Marvin's money!,
resumed Mr.. Adams, after another
pause, in which Philip was e~ndeavoring
to swallow the disappointment of his
newly-awakened hope, lis not the real
business on which / came. That is a
small matter as compared with another
that concerns us both. Did you know
that it was my daughter whose life YOU
saved that EVENING""
"Why-no, 1 didn't"
The visitor met with a cordial grasp
the thin hand held out to him in boyish
impulse, while the bright eyes shona
with pleasure.
why, I am glad-T'm so glad, sir"
went on Philip. mo, I didn't. Perhaps
| heard her name, but if l did 1 didn't
pay attention"
"My only daughter" continued Mr..
Adams, in his tone of quiet and deep
feeling. "You can realize what thia
can to me. But" with a glance at
the boys excited eyes, II must not tire
you now. 1 only want you to under.
stand that thepe is no place in my ema
ploy for which you are fitted, or may
in future at yourself for, which you can
not have. Or, if you would prefer col
lege course and whatever your tastes
after that may lead to, the way will be
made easy for your mother and your.
SELF
"But, sir" said Philip. in transport
of amazement, cit wasn't anything ia
do. Anybody would have done it."
ut was my daughters life" said Mr..
Adams, shaking Philips hand in fare
well. "And remember" he added, ear,
that any undue magnifying OF
such help as | feel it a privilege to be
able to put in your way / shall take as a
belittling of the precious thing you
i