Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1900-07-14
CHAPTER XIII.

0OutTey WIS III AOuuOu ono winter
night, two years after Margarct's death,
and was making his way along the
Strand through dense fog. when, find.
Ing he had lost his bearings, he called
to man whose step he heard close to
him: "Can you tell me II I am near st.
Martins ChurchT' and. to his surprirc,
a familiar voice replied: That's Just
what am trying to find out for myself"
"You are Jack Ballast" exclaimed God.
frey instantly.
''And-why. you're Helstonew said the
other.
And than the next moment, with q
hearty laugh, they were shaking hands.
1t was dozen years since they had seen
each other last.
The hour was not late one, and, when
they had succeeded In discovering their
position. Mr.. Dallas made his friend 70
home with him. He had comfortable
bachelor establishment In rooms looking
over the river.
married? Mercy on us, MOI" he said
In answer to an inquiry thar Godfrey
made. Il couldn't be married and 10 on
living here, you know; and when man
has once got settled 1t needs a remarka.
bly, strong temptation to unsettle him
again."
II think you are making a mistake, +"
replied Godfrey.
He had told Jack already the bare fact
that Margaret was dead. Presently, sit.
ting with him over his fire. he spoke a
little more Of her. and OF his daughter.
II have been alOne for two years now"
he said, "and II It had not been for my
little girl my life would be very empty.
She was 10 quiet and retiring always that
YOU must have lived with her to know
how good she was. OF course, you never
knew her at all. That only time you
came to US you were very little with her,
! remember"
'No-ahem!-I didn't see a great deal
Of her." assented Jack. "She-didu't
seem to me to care for strangers"
'she was very domestic woman"
said Godfrey.
"Oh, yes--so should suppose" re-.
sponded Jack quickly. II am sure she
was-as good as she could be. She must
have been great loss to YOU"
"She has been great loss to us both, I"
said Godfrey. ITO Rita as well as me-"
"And how Is Rita2" asked Jack, "yyhy.
she must have grown out Of all recol.
lectiOn"
And then Godfrey replied with a laugh
that he thought she probably had.
"She Is a woman nOw," he said. "6he
will be eighteen next June"
"And she has forgotten my very name,
I supposef" said Mr.. Dallas.
"Well," ret0rted Godfrey, III she has,
It ID no ones fault but your own. She
isn't little. She Is five feet six. dare
say you would think her pretty. Most
people do"
"And her father agrees with themi"
said Jack with kindly laugh. swell, !
should like to come and have look at
her again. ! would come after Christ
mas, I am half disposed to think. IL
you cared to ask me-"
"Change your time little, and come
before Christmas" answered Godfrey.
why shouldn't your Come home with
me ON the 10TH"
"What. next Friday2 Oh, I hardly
think could do that" said Jack.
But In five minutes afterward he had
agreed to It.
with him." said Rita to her quOndam
governess, Miss Taylor, reading a letter
that she had from her father a day or
two after this. "A Mr.. Dallas. I re-
member he was here once before, ever 20
long ago. And papa says, would you
please get room ready for HIM. as he IL
coming to stay over Christmas. Oh,
dear" said Rita, with q little sigh. II
am rather sorry that anybody who u old
u coming for Christmas"
rs he oldT" replied Miss Taylor, In.
nocently. "Oh, but you know some old
people are very nice. Let US hope that
Mr.. Dallas will be. ! think we win give
him the green room. dear. n Is the best
for an elderly person. 1t ID 20 nice and
warm"
30 then Miss Taylor had the green
room prepared, and kept good Are burn.
Ing In It for two days before Mr.. Dallas
arrived. The old gentleman might per-
hsps have Rheumatism, or asthma, ~