News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1903-02-18

ZEN.
"Well?" Gordon said.
81 am Captain Edingham's widow
! My great-grand son was born on the
day Captain Ehingham died. His name
was Clark Dillingham; He ran away to
sea when he was sixteen. Since then
l have heard nothing Of him until a
week ago | had a letter from him
dated Colorado Springs. He was con-
sumptive, but is getting better | am
on my way to see him."
She paused, and John Gordon. still in
the dark as to the object of her call on
Barton said:
"Well?'
you said you were Mr.. Barton's
nearest friend? How much Of his real
life do you know
Gordon was thoroughly surprised
For the first time he looked suspicious
ly and even doubtfully at the old lady.
Il know him we'll There is not Il
kinder, purer truer soul in this city
than David Barton"
q believe you" the old lady nodded
vigorously But | know more about
him than you do. Listen. One night
six months ago young man, penniless.
homeless, alone in this great city, was
walking its streets in a cold, pcnetrat-
ing rain. An east wind blew off the
water. The young man was proud. He
would not write his relatives for help.
He was afraid to. let his aristocratic
grandmother know that he had drifted
off the sea, into one kind of vagabonG
life after another, until he was On the
verge of starvation and crime in
great, merciless city.
"Out in the night, that night, this
lad stumbled against your friend Mr..
Barton. He gave him shelter and food
Then he sent him out to Colorado be-
fore it was too late. Them Gordon
was crying. The old lady had some
thing in her sharp eyes that glittered
brighter than the eyes.
Then this lad discovered a secret.
The Ettinghams always were quick.
He found out that he was not the only
one. Mr.. Gordon, do you know that
this friend Of yours has during the last
five years sent little colony of con-
sumptive people to Colorado and paid
all their expenses there, saving at least
q dozen lives? This much my grand
son has discovered. He was the first
one of them to find out his benefa"tor's
name and address. 1t first CINE to
him through an accident. But your
friend is-and You did not know it?
to- ,,1- J., 40, tg11 Ii
how much my boy owes him. You
said he was i'll. I trust it is nothing
seriOuS|'
John Gordon let the tears flow down
his face. His friends jealOusly guard
ed secret was out at last. Now he
knew why be had so stubbornly re-
fused to go 10 Colorado himself He
knew it was too late and had always
been. But, knowing it, he had put his
own life aside and had thus saved
others. And it was too late for him
now The cynical, careless, great
hearted friend suddenly grew into an
image that would always sit on the
throne of his memory in the high place
of honor.
He is very i'll? Tell me- Is it Sc
rious?" The old lady for the first time
betrayed uneasiness.
John Gordon answered gently.
He is very i'll. He has consumption
He cannot live"
God bless him." the old lady eX-
claimed, and her tears fell fast After
awhile she said gently:
do you think | might see him?
would like to look on his face"
For answer John Gordon rose, parted
the cwtajus and beckoncd. The old
lady followed and soon stood looking
at the wasted face.
She stood a moment silently gazing
then she put out a hand, which Cor
don had uoted before as astonishingly
white and beautiful for such an aged
person, and softly touched Bartons
head. As she Strengthened up and
stepped back, Gordon saw that she
was much agitated. He offered her
assistance to walk back into the hall
She accepted with an old fashioned
acknowledgment of his politeness that
touched him deeply.
When they were in the hall she said
"WiIl you tell him | came to see
him"
Gordon was thinking it over. Would
Barton rare to have his secret known?
Yes. l win tell him"
Il think it win be better to let him
know Yes, it will be better" the old
lady said with approval THE time
will not be long. win you write me
when the end comes for him"
Yes madam. l thank you for him
that you came"
"Thc pilgrimage is brief at the lon
gest," she said with strong gravity
that was far from gloom. "Dut sure
Iy your friend has redeemed his time.
| am glad ! saw his face. Yes, glad
Gordon offered to see her to the
train, but she firmly refused to be of
any trouble to any one, Il am able
to go alone. A carriage is waiting for
me. Good night sir, ana God be with
you"
Good night madam" replied Cor
don. Williams appeared and opened
the door. Gordon insisted on seeing
her down the steps and into the car
riage. He had shut the door and the
driver had tust STARRED his horse when