The St. Louis Republic., 1901-09-08
heart fun O. thansfuIness that 4. should

a heart fun of thankfulness that It should
| be SO. he went on with his search.
| But suddenly the sound OF carriage
stopping at the from, gate told him that
! Mrs Hanbury and the girls had returned.
| The sky had begun to cloud over during the
| last hour. and this must have made them
| turn back.
| Mrs Hanbury always expected him TO
meet her. and to give her his arm. and. with
| a little sigh of resignation. ne closed the
| book and went downstairs.
! In the hall he met the servant with a card
| IN he: hand.
| There is a gentleman in the drawing
| room, Mr.. Hanburye' she said.
| "A gentleman Richard echoed with
! some surprise. for visitors never came to
| No. 2. The Laburnnms
| Then he glanced at the card. and a GRIM
son flush dyed his cheek and brow. Upon
the little piece of pasteboard was inscribed
/ the name, Robert Illingworth.'
! II did not know you were IN England,
| SIR he stammered forth moment later.
as .he cid man cIasped his hand in s!iencs.
I'VE came back last week" Mr.. Hing
worth said presently. The warm climate
did not suit Maude. and had finished the
| business 1 had to do there, SO We had no
object in remaining
| At the mention OF Maude's name Dick
| flushed painfully. and the words which were
upon his lips died away.
Then Mr.. Illingworth seated himself IN q
chair near the window. and looked out upon
the little garden with eyes that saw moth
| Ing. He was not man who could beat
| about the bush. and he had come to see
Richard on very important matter.
| TT has been a hard year for you. my
| boy" he said turning round presently and
| facing Dick. while the corners OF his mouth
! began 10 twitch in a way they had when
| he was greatly moved; 'put you have
J fought the fight bravely-you have kept
! your word"
| Dick looked at him in genuine surprise.
| Il have only done my duty. sir But how
do you know I have kept my word?'
do you think I got you into that ONCE
for nothing. Dick?" Mr. Illingworth said,
and in spite of the tears that were not far
| off. something like a mischievous twinkle
| came into his eyes. 1T was putting you
between the miilstones: but they have
done their work. Dick, and you are a better
| man for the discipline, aren't you?'
| II think I am sir" Dick answered. IA
| any rate. It has been very great help to
| me: my mother and sisters could not have
| managed otherwise
| Poor things-poor things nurmured
Nj. Illingworth; ''it has been bitter ex-
perience for them: but You have behaved
| nobly toward them. Dick. and at the cost
| of your own happiness
Then he began TO pace the room IN q
| strange. nervous fashion, while Dick.
scarcely daring to let himself speculate as
/ to the reason OF his visit, watched him
| with bated breath.
A wild nope had seized him a moment
before. only to be crushed hack as the
height Of folly and presumption: but Mr..
| Iilihgwortn next words sent the blood
coursing through his veins.
You have kept your word, Dick. and
Maude is yours the old man said. laying
his hand suddenly upon his shoulders.
! 1t some moments before Dick could
! speak; then he murmured, with faltering
| lips:
| II have nothing to offer her. sir. Ny
| mother and sisters
| But Mr.. Illngworth interrupted him with
| broken words and eyes that were filed with
| tear..
| Il said she should be yours. Dick II I
| knew that the old habit had been given UP.
ana you were honestly striving to live \
! new life; and you have Kept your part
| of the compact ! cannot do less than keep
! mine. can /? AS for having nothing to Of
fer her. he added. as he saw Dick was
about to interrupt him. my savings were
considerable during your fathers lifetime.
| and the property / invested In. and which
Maude and I lately went 10 look at has
| turned out a very great success. Moreover.
! my friend Matthews is willing to lind you
j