The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06
The End Of the Story..It Begins in Sorrow
But at the Last Reaches Peace and Happiness

almost one Of fear. 81 should think that
you cannot understand what 1 am talking
about, for you are evidently rich
He moistened his dry lips. and answered
her with effort: My name is Francis
he said. land, indeed. am a working man.
Miss Melhuish. but have to dress well.
lit is help"
Esther looked comically at her own
threadbare gown. 81 know it is" she said.
but, STILL being hungry is worse than
having shabby Clothes
So she knew what hunger was-good heav-
ems. to think of il,
You told me that you had trouble" she
said, again observing HIS silence. mo doubt
you have relatives in there. too. and that is
why you sympathize with me. I cannot
think that you are one of those people who
could come here from idle, heartless curios-
fly"
II came like you did-to see some one
"a friend" he said, hurriedly hoping that
the lie would be forgiven him: but Esther's
clear eyes only read natural confusion in his
hesitation.
II am sorry,' she said gently. Then she
reached out little hand and laid Il on his
sleeve confdingly- '-wm you do this thing
for me? Frome must have suffered, oh, so
terribly. in wondering what had become OF
me and whether L had died of hunger and
Of despair"
81 will do anything-anything TO help
you
Surely heaven had sent this opportunity
to him so that he might atone to this girl
for the evil that had been brought into her
life. Esther and drew him to the
window with much agitation.
Prone is there-I saw him." she sail.
simply. II want you to stand by my ride
and look down at him, and then he will see
that not alone. but that I have some
one with me, and perhaps he will be hap
pier
Garstine felt himself grow cold as the
horror of the whole situation broke upon
him, but he yielded to her eager hand and
followed her to the window. The gang
engaged with the trucks were busy unload
ing, and Garstine dared to glance down at
the figures in their hideous garb. wonder
ing which was Frome Melhuish He re-
membered him as a consumptive. timid
youth, whom he had never liked. and now
the memory was a torture.
when your brother comes out again.
he said. steadily. 81 will find him some en-
ployment that will make you both comfort
able. II know some one in the city who
might help"
THANK you. OF. thank you" she whis-
pered gratefully, and they stood there in
silence, hand in hand.
The clasp of the thrill fingers thrilled
him through every nerve, but he was con-
scious at the same time that she was alb
solutely unaware of the fact that her hand
was in his-for her mind was centered upon
her brother to the exclusion of every other
idea. When at last the gang turned to make
their weary, homeward journey, he saw
Frome Melhuish in his parti-colored coat,
and at the first look at the mans haggard
face he dropped his eyes TO the ground.
Esther made quick sign of recognition,
and the f1uttering sob in her throat told him
how deeply she was moved.
HE saw me-" she said, "and he saw you,
too. He will be comforted. because he will
know that / have friend"
Garstine lifted up his face to hers-aDd
for him, IL was only they two who stood
alone in that desolate place.
Heaven helping me-" he said. II will be
a true friend to you-and TO him after
wards"
And Esther, looking into his face, be-
lieved him.