, 1898-10-14
-nf-d, ~as, powerIess to

S.s
help himself. -.-..-. -
what u ply NJ ND G turn paoa1-
aid one.
HE couldn't help II" said another
"The poor chaps half dead himself"
"Great heavensi" shouted q stout
man. He's got hertz
Sure enough, there, held between hi
knees, with a deathlike grip, was a lit
tie figure shrouded in wet calico an6
long wet hair.
You'd have thought the people hat
gone mad if you had heard them. The
dude was working over Spider ant
cheering and yelling as he worked
Fannie was OH her knees, and the twin
ran back and forth, from Spider to the
other twin, who was standing on bel
head, while they slapped and pumped
her without mercy.
There was nothing equal to the en-.
during quality of those twins. You
couldn't kill n of them. That day,
even before Spider came to himself, Lou
was on her feet again, walking back tc
the boat. escorted by an immense body.
guard Of rejoicing people.
The next thing on the programme
wa to reward Spider. As he wouldn't
touch a cent of money that was a diff.
cult matter. After some inquiry Mrs.
Trencher learned that although of good
family and well educated Spider was by
nature and habit a wanderer. She and
her family were about to go out to Colo.
RADIO for a trip, and in lieu of anything
better offered the man the chance of go.
ing with them. Somewhat to her sur.
prise he joyfully accepted, and ere long
they and hs were under way. On thei1
return from the mountains he petitioned
to come with them. promising to cook
or do anything else that was useful, and
all for a small wage if only they would
keep him with them.
"Why, Spider" said Mrs. Trencher,
"a young man like you, born and edu-
Gated for something better, oughtnot to
fill such a position"
It's in me to go down, not up. I've led
a straighter life with you folks than
ever knew before"
The upshot Of it all was that for ten
years Spider was one Of the family-an
invaluable member, too-cook, house
keeper. laundress, caterer. secretary.
nurse-everything.
He had plenty to do just now, for a
family wedding was on foot. Sue was
still scraggy, but Lou had blossomed
into O lovely. rounded out, softly tinted
girl, and some enc had discovered this,
as men will, and made love to her, and
she had made love back. They were to
be married tonight, and Spider was get
ting ready for it all. Fannie was help
ing on every side. She was Mrs. Dude
now and was remarkably fastidious
about her dress, as became one of that
name.
The wedding was a simple home af-
fair. The family wanted Spider to come
in and sit with them, but he refused.
He acted strangely that day anyhow.
but no doubt he was tired.
1t was all over-that is, the knot was
tied, and the fresh faced girl was look
ing up into the eyes Of her husband
with the lovelight which links this
world to heaven. All were chatting and
laughing and congratulating the young
couple-all but q man who stood in the
shadow Of the doorway, looking from
his grimy hands to the smooth. fair ex-
terror Of the happy lover.
Nobody noticed him-there was too
much going on-and he stood there, the
tears chasing each other down his face
and every now and then a great sob
%convulsing his strong chest.
When at last the family remembered
and ran out to find him and fetch him
in, he was gone.
They tell about him today--how
faithful he was. how constant in his
care Of Lou, how watchful and devoted
and they wonder where he is and why
he left hem.--Elizabeth Strong in Chi
cago Record.