The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1901-09-15
!.
Not wholly Lost.

LICh q NhASNAA
reckless bravado up to the last moment be
fore the train started, making careless
'okes with the men who had gone to tn
iltion 10 see him off; but when. with
ling snort from the engine, a shrill whis
and a banging of doors. the train wa
motion. he flung himself into a corne
the compartment, pulled his felt hat Low
ier his eyes and let his expression chang
- moodiness. sullenness-almost despair.
A cloud of disgrace was overshadowin:
him. and he began to realize that it w"uiC
have an influence through his whole lie.
AS a boy of Is he had been expelled from
school: now he was expelled from Oxford
In his pocket was a crumpled letter from
his father. the rector of East Barcham. {
country parish in the county of Norfolk
'orbiiding him to come home. and telling
IFS son that he washed his hands of him
nat he was henceforth dead 10 him
nd he hoped he might never see his face
gain.
He Hide knew when. and under what
range circumstances, their next meeting
ould take place. Dick had felt his fathers
ords keeniy, though he had crushed the
ter ansrily into his pocket, and sworn
bitter oath under his breath that he
, ould never trouble the rector again.
His mother was dead. and he had but
pne sister: but there was no line or mes
sage from her. So she. too. was hard and
~unforgiving. ne thought.
eve gone more than half way to the
dogs: I'd better go the whole road" he
muttered. Ahd then. shutting his position
slightly, he raised his eyes. and encoun-
Rorod shn Sertos,c ro1o ~ the opyx, nthov
occupant Of the compartment-a man
dressed in the style of a clergyman. who
bore 40 marks OF extreme refinement in
his face. which. In spite of its thinness and
pallor. was strong in moral strength and
determination.
Meeting the young mans eyes, he took
The opportunity OF opening q conversation.
and remarked upon the charming country
through which they were passing. and the
exquisite coloring Of the woods. where last
years leaves ana golden-brown bracken
contrasted wildly with the tender greens
pf the ieafy trees.
81 think I appreciate the country all the
more that my life for years has been spent
in streets OF brick and mortar-sordid
streets. too. surrounded by dirt and soualor;
but there are souls to be saved. and one
must try to save them. whether they are
in the midst OF luxury or poverty. My
work drew me to the East End, and there
my life has been spent for the last seven
years. What college dc you belong to. may
askf"
A fush OF shame rose hotly in Dick Fer
rers cheek. but he looked the other man
fun in the face a. he answered a trihe
hoarsely:
II have no college now: I've been Kicked
ont OF It. You needn't speak to me again
u you don't like"
Mark Paset's face Swallowed for a mo-
ment-not with anger. but with sorrow
and then he stretched out a hand and laid
It on the young fellows knee.
TIN awfully SORRY" he said. That was
IN.
Dick felt q lump rise IN his throat. He
had only had feelings Of bitterness and an
ger before At his punishment: now. for the
6rst time. he felt . pang OF shame for his
own w~ronsdoing.
what are you going 10 DOR asked the
clergyman. "Ars you going homer"
mo; my father won't have me"
~And your mothsrr'
/ y have noney'
sAh!"
Tho exclamation expressed q world OF
sympathy ana regret. For Mark Paget had
pnce known the best and dearest Of moth
m. IN had Lost her when he most needed
. mothers care and guidance. He had felt
Cor motherless msn sver sincs.
For It Isn't only boys who need moth
NE" he remarked ones 70 q comrade, who
had met with the same bereavement
win o tan me what ron are going to
Aof' he ssksd Dick again.
Goodness knows-I don.t!" answered the
Soung fellow. With . RECKLESS shfus Of his
broad shoulders.
II hope youfI1 ma1s up q mind. II
tou'vs nowhere siss 10 30, como home with
me. I am = bachelor. and you'll see no one
but my worthy honeekeepe ana her hus-
band. who DO the work Of the houss ana
look after my comfort Don't say no! 1
be % glad 70 have youi" urged the
parson.
Il couldn't I'm . I'D lst you know"
, Don't ~ that Thsrs = plenty Of good
Ia yon: ana "a lrks - b q some use to you
r I can. win yeu eumsr'
But Ddck Feffser shook his head.
NO." he aid. Il don't want to be Q bur
Gen OF you or azybody slas tin I'm com.
PEELED. I shall tfy ana shift for myself
somehow. I've got . fSw pounds to 80, on
NTH"
Mr.. Passt did not prSss his Hospitality on
him any further: but. though sorry for the
refusal. respected The young fellows indie
pendence.
When they parted aA Haston he slipped
his card into Dicks hand, with tho words:
"God bless youi I hope We shall meet
Again. Don't - disheaftened because of