The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-09-01
o.c-c. c.o~c.o.~e.s.c.c
 FAAAfNOO1S VII 1O1VDOlN VII A1OOA%01 fNN MAX PEI
BY MAX PEMBERTON


mother had schooled him so tenderly. Here were two little outcasts from the civilized world-why should they not creep close together for that sympathy and loving kindness which destiny had de- nied them.
 T dasn't be late tonight. Alb" Lois said when the biograph was over and they had left the hall, you know how father was. I must go back and get his supper"
 Did he really mean all that about the copper mines and his invenhon?" Alban asked her In his practical way. and ad- ded, "Of course I couldn't understand much of 1t, but think it's pretty awful to see man crying. don't you Lois2"
 Father does that often" she rejoined, often when he's alone. I might not be in the world at all, Alb, for all he thinks of me. Some one robbed him, you know, and just lately he thinks he's found the man In London. Whats the good of It all-who's goin' to nelp a poor Pole get his rights back? Oh, yer bloomin' law and order, lot we sees of you in Thrawl street, so help me funny. That's what l tell father when he talks about his rights. We'll take ours home with us to King dom come and nobody know much about 'em when we get there. A sight of good 1t is cryin out for them in this world. Alb-now ain't 1t dear?''
 Alban was in habit of taking questions very seriously. and he took this one just as though she had put 1t in the best of good faith.
 'I can't make head or tall of things, Lois," he said stocally, fact Is, I've given up trying. Why does my father die without sixpence after serving God all his life, and another man, who has served the devil, go under worth thou sands? That's what puzzles me. And they tell us 1t will all come right some day, just as we're all going to drive motor cars when the Socialists get in. Wouldn't be selling mine cheap tonight if any one came along and offered me five pounds for it-wouldnt l say take it, and jolly glad to get the money. Why, Lois, dear think what we would do with five pounds"
 "Go to Southend for Easter, Alb"
 Buy you pretty ring and take you to the Crystal Palace"
 Drive a pony to Epping, Alb and come back in the moonlight
 Down to Brighton for the Saturday and two in the water together"
 Flash it on 'em in Thrawl street and make Chris Denhan cry"
 They laughed together and cuddled joy ously at a dream so bewlldering. Their united wealth that night was three shill- ings, of which Alb had two and four pence. What untold possibilities in i've pounds, what sunshine and laughter and Joy. An, that the dark court should be waiting for them, the squalor, the mis- cry, the woe of it. Who can wonder that the shadows soon engulfed them?
 Kiss me, Alb" she said at the corner. shall I see you tomorrow night, dearY'
 Outside the Pay at nine. You can tell me how your father took it. Say, I hope he'll get hls rights. I think he always liked me rather, Lois,'
 "A sight more than ever he liked me. Alb, and that's truth. An, my dear, you'll take me away from here some day, won't you, Alb? You'll take me away where none shall ever know, where I shall sec the world and forget what I have been. Kiss me- Alb-Im that low tonight, dear, I could cry my heart out"
 He obeyed her instantly A voice of human suffering never failed to make an instant appeal to him.
 As true as Gods in heaven, If ever get rich, I'll come first to Lois with the story" he said-and so he bent and kissed her on the lips as gently as though she mad been his little sister.