The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-08-31
CHAPTER Xxx.
Mrs. Hoit's Secret.

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Frank Holt and his mother sat silently
watching the fire dying down in the
crate. They had been talking earnestly
SO earnestly that neither Of them had
noticed how late it was getting. and how,
If they intended talking any further, the
fire would have to be sreplenished. AL
ready the room had become chilly.
II wish you had told me the story be-
fore, mother, said Frank, breaking the
silence.
There was a look Of troubled abstrac-
ton on the young mans face. His chin
was resting in the hollow of his hand, his
elbow supported by the arm of the chair,
and he was staring dxedly at the dull red
of the expiring fire.
You don't think did wrong in ac-
cepting the money, I hope, Frank?"
mo, don't say It was wrong, he re-
piled, slowly; "at the same time, I wish
you hadn't taken it. ! have being under
an obligation to ANYBODY
|. There was no objection" answered his
mother, quietly. THE gift was free one,
and neither you nor Ihave been asked to
do anything In return y
''My dear mother, that's nothing
| whatever to do with it. / have no doubt
! this person, whoever he may be, is actu-
ated by the best of motives; but the sec
| recy he has observed over the business
makes me suspicious
| Suspicious Of what, Frank?''
"Ah, that's where the difficulty comes
] in," cried her son, suddenly changing his
position and thrusting his. hands into his
/ trousers pockets and stretching out his
legs. IT don't believe in this kind of
secret generosity. There must be a.
motive for it,
Walker and Sfmms assured me that
our unknown benefactor was a friend Of
your fathers, that your father did him
| g, service and this is his way Of requiting
| 1T may be So For all that, I don't
you will take no more of this mans
money"
An embarrassed look stole over the
1ady's face.
If that is your idea, Frank" she
answered, slowly, "it's not much good my
making the suggestion I have in
1 mind
DO oyou mean about this lawyers bill
| which we shall have to pay by hook or by
crook?" he replied, quickly.
Yes" answered his mother, with some
/ hesitation in her manner. 'It occurred to
me, as your solicitor is in such hurry for
4 the money, and as there Is very little
probability Of our being able to pay him
just yet, there would be no harm In send
| ing a request thru Walker and Simmons
| to this man who has, whatever you may
think, shown himself very generous
Il beg you will do nothing of the kind,
mother, cried Frank 'Indeed,I am more
upset than you imagine by what you have
said. I hadn't the least idea we had for
j some time. past been practically dependent
on the charity of a stranger"
That morning they had received from
| the solicitor entrusted with Franks de-
1 Tense the bill Of costs. This defense had
! proved very expensive business, and
tho Mrs. Holt had paid what she could
scrape together while the proceedings
were pending, there was a balance Of
some thirty pounds which the lawyer said
/ he must have at once. as the great part
Of the amount was money out Of pocket.
The discussion of the matter had led Mrs.
/ Holt to tell her son how hitherto she had
j had been able to make both ends meet,
/ The announcement affected her son
much more than she thought it would