Los Angeles herald., 1907-08-04

highest appreciation of the conduct of your
son, said Mr. Longwood, as the carriage
turned into Midway street. He has been
nobly honest, and one meets such hero
only once, if at all. in lifetime" -
81 don't know that | did any more than
my duty" replied Bryan, answering for his
mother, and using the stereotyped phrase Tor
good boys ON such occasions. ~.
''That is what SO many fail to do that the
doing Of qnes duty is in NJ the ngness
cously. "But you fought terrible battle IN
doing your duty, and you did far more than
could have been expected and required OF
you. When you were bound in your bed, |
could not have asked you to cut your arms
half off in your struggles to escape"
Bryan always was good boy, and L am
never afraid that he will do anything wrong
or be led astray," said Mrs. Brasloek, with
motherly pride.
At this moment the carriage stopped at the
door of the house. The lady felt obliged to
ask Mr.. Longwood if he would not 60 in,
though not with the slightest expectation that
he would do so. To her great establishment,
and perhaps regret, he accepted the invitation,
and she could do no less than conduct him up
two flights to the attic floor.
The truth was that Mr.. Longwood had made
up his mind to do all he could for the family,
and he wanted to see in what manner they
lived, and decide what they needed most.
He was ushered into the front room, where
Mrs. Chuck had made a fire in the cooking
stove, for Mrs. MrasIock had committed Bessie
to her charge when she went out. Every
thing was comfortable and pleasant in the
room, though, of course, it was not up to the
rich mans ideas of things.
Pardon me, madam, but / thought you
owned this house," said Mr.. Longwood, as
soon as he was seated. Il understood from
you or Bryan that Doctor Guypeck was your
tenant"
"He was, sir; but when my money was all
stolen, we had to let the lower part of the
house to family who were burned out in this
street." replied the widow. 81 thought we
were utterly ruined, for the interest on the
mortgage was due the next week, but Bryan
took the matter in hand and managed it SO
well that we had no trouble at all" And she
proceeded to tell the story of her embarrass-
ments, which she would not have done if
her son had not been the principal actor in
the business. "But we are very comfortable
and happy as we are" she added.
Mr.. Longwood asked more questions, apollo
giving for meddling with the widows affairs
but before he had proceeded far in this di
rection Mrs. Chuck came into the room with
Bessie.
"This is your daughter, suppose, madam?'
said Mr.. Longwood. after Mrs. Chuck had left
the room.
eyes, sir; have only these two children"
replied the widow.
Bessie turned from Bryan, and looked at
the early visitor with a. childs curiosity.
Good heaven J" exclaimed Mr.. Longwood,
The gentleman had uttered an exclamation
which probably he had not used for years be-
fore. The events of the day and night appear
ed to be humanizing him with astonishing
rapidity; but neither Bryan nor his mother
could imagine the cause of the exclamation,
and they did not know the man well enough
to understand what an extraordinary event In
his career its utterance was.
ri desire, madam, to put you in possession
of your house again, for it seems to be none
fOo largo for uSP| he said no tOOlt
q step toward the door.
'I am very much obliged to you, sir; but
we don't need the whole of it" replied Mrs.
Braslock.
1--WE do first rate in these four rooms, sir, y
assured Bryan, who did not exactly like the
patroniZing manner of his employer, though
he had not indicated his intentions very
clearly.
very wel,' said the widow, cheerfully. doc
tor Guypeck returned the money we lost, and
since my son got his place in your store, we
have felt quite rich. We even think we shall
be able to pay of the mortgage on the house
after some years.
"But you cannot have more than twenty
five or thirty dollars month after paying
the interest on the mortgage, and don't see
how it is possible for you to live on that,
replied Mr.. Longwood, fixing his gaze upon
Bessie, whose face he seemed to be studying
with the deepest interest.
Owe have all we need, and we don't com
plain
me fifty thousand dollars, and l cannot be
insensible to his courage and devotion to the
interests of his employer" urged Mr.. Long
wood.
81 hope you will leave everything Just as it
IS in this house, sir" said the stout-hearted
son. 1--WE don't want anything more than we
have"
eve will drop the matter for the present