Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1907-11-05

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inquiries, to note their little airs Of
manliness and self reliance, to SEE
with growing wonder that they were
well dressed and wore spotless linen.
Apolice station was no place for con
fdences. Indeed both boys were awet
by their surroundings.
They passed into the outer Office, ant
Mason went to thank Inspector Brad
ley.
Don't forget your ticket" whispered
the pleased officer.
The reminder Jared, but 1t was un
avoidable. Mason got his ticket in
dorsed, the lads looking on shyly thu
while, and the three regaIned the free
dom Of the street.
"Let us find some place to sit down
and have drink" suggested Mason.
mo, father" said John, with a frank
smile. Neither of US takes drink
Come home with us. We have room
ready for you"
81 have lodgings
"You can go there tomorrow and gel
your belongings"
"Yes. Jump into this cab" urged
Willie. I'VE live In Westminster. II
Is not very far"
Mason was fascinated by the boys
pleasant assumption Of authority. They
spoke Ike young gentlemen, with the
accent that betokens good education
He yielded without protest.
They sat three abreast in hanson
and the vehicle scurried off toward the
Westminster bridge road.
Mason was in-the center. His giant
form leaned over the closed doors OF
the cab, but he turned his head with
interested eagerness as one or other of
his sons addressed him.
II suppose, father, you are wonder
ing how we came to meet In such 9
place." said John.
1T might puzzle me If l found time
to think"
"Well, the superintendent arranged
everything. Unfortunately, he was
away OH his holidays when-when you
were released-Or we would have met
you then, and his deputy was moi
aware of the circumstances. AS soon
as the superintendent returned he
wrote to the governor and was very
much annoyed to find that you had
slipped away in the meantime
"He wouldn't be SO annoyed II he
was there HIMSELF" growled Mason
good humoredly.
"Oh, John didn't mean that father,
broke In Willie. 1.-The annoyance was
his and ours. You see, we had not
known very long where you were. We
didn't even know you were alive"
| "Of course, of course. Somebody has
been looking after you well. That's
clear enough They wouldn't be always
telling pair Of boys that their father
was in Portland"
ut gave us such a shock when we
heard the truth" said downright John
"But we were so glad to hear that
our father was living und that we
should soon see him." explained the
younger.
"When did you hear first?"
"About four months ago. Just before
we took our present situations. We are
saddlers and ornamental leather work
ers. Between us we earn quite de-
cent living. Don't we, John?'
"In fifteen weeks we have saved
enough to pay for half our furniture
besides keeping ourselves we'll There's
plenty to eat, dad. You won't starvc.
big as you are"
They all laughed. The cab was pass
ing st. Thomas hospital. Across the
bridge noble prospect met their eyes.
London had q glamour for Mason that
night it never held before.
80 Robinson wrote to Bradley.
knowing that would report myself to-
day, and Bradley arranged
"Who is Robinson, father" inter
rupted John.
'"The superintendent. to be sure. He
used to be inspector at Whitechapel.'
"He Is not the man we mean. We
are talking of Mr.. Giles, superintend'
ent of the Mary Anson home"
The two boys felt their fathers start
Of dismay, of positive alright. They
wondered what had happened to give
him such shock. Peering at him
sideways from the corners of the han
som, they could see the quick pallor OF
his swarthy face.
"You forget. John" put in the adroit
William, that father knows a little
about our lives us we knew about his
until very recently. When we reach
our fiat we must begin ut the begin
ming and tell him everything"
"There isn't much to tell" cried John.
"When poor mother died we were tax
ell care Of by gentleman whom Mr.
Philip asked to look after us. When
the Mary Anson home was built we
were among the first batch Of inmates.
If ever a young man has done good In
this world, 1t is Mr.. Philip Anson. See
what he did for us. Mother was nursed
and tended with the utmost Kindness.
but her life could not be saved. We
were rescued from the workhouse,
taught we'll and fed well and given
such instruction in first class trade
that even Mt our age we can earn ID u
week between us. And what he has
done for us he does for hundreds OF
others. God bless Philip Anson,
say!
"Amenw said his brother.
The voices of his sons reached Ma
sons tortured brain like sounds heard
remote but distinct. through long
tunnel. His great frame seemed to
collapse. In an instant he became an
old man. He set his teeth and jammed
his elbows against the woodwork OF
the cab. but, strive as he would with
his immense physical strength and his
dogged will, he shook with palsy.
"Father," cried John anxiously little
dreaming how his enthusiastic speech
had pierced to the very marrow OF his
hearer, "are you Ill? Shall we stop"
perhaps, John. a little brandy would
do him good" murmured Willie.
"Father, do tell me what Is the mat
ter. Willie, reach up and tell the man
to STOP"
Then Mason forced himself to speak
"No, no." he gasped. go on. 1t is
only-a passing spasm.
| Hc must have time, even few min-
utes. in which to drive off the awful
specter that hugsed him In the cm
| ,,,,.o - ,7ooth JIo do rod NOT look nj