The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1907-06-08

possible for some worthy pair. You
will know how to use this remem-
brance. Miss Trevor. you and have
given away a great deal of money
and you have saved me many times
from giving unwisely."
The girl looked up.
"You are very kind, sir" she said,
"and very thoughtful. But just now
can think Of no way TOTO utilize your
suggestion"
"The way will undoubtedly be made
clear, Miss Trevor. Let me know when
you find it,
He leaned back in his chair again.
half closing his eyes. His thoughts
were busy with the past. There was
girl-yes, she was very like this girl.
Her hair was brown, her eyes were
dark and serious. He had fancied her
as a boy. and when he grew to man.
hood his dearest visions-he had Wis
ions then-always placed her by his
side. But he was too poor to think Of
marrying, and she welded the son Of
the rich miller-at least he passed for
rich In those dull days.
The old man grimly smiled. He
could buy the rich miller thousand
times over. And yet in that day he
would have looked upon $500 as a
fortune. With $500 he would have
dared to ask the girl to marry him.
Very likely she would have refused.
Perhaps it was all for the best.
The girl looked up. Il beg your
pardon, Mr.. Renwick." she said, "but
here Is a letter that is pulling. II
am a Judge of such things. it isn't
an honest letter and yet somehow 1t
worries me-"
LET me hear It."
1T purports to be from child. but
feel quite sure it is inspired by an
older head" She spread out the crum-
pied sheet.
Dear Mister Renwick, am only
little boy and nobody knows I am
writing this to you cause papa and
mamma are both too proud and they
would be very angry If they knew l
was writing. Papa had money once
and we were so happy but he signed
q paper for a friend and the friend
was not an honest man and papa lost
all his money. And now papa has
rheumatism in his hands and he hnds
Il 30 hard to get work and mama
hasn't been well since baby Joe died
and tho rent is three months due and
the man says We must pay or leave
and I haven't any shoes to wear and
mamma cries most all the time. NOW
please. can't you help US with 1T
tie money, dear Mr.. Renwick. cause we
are 80 poor and very worthy. l heard
papa say that II he had $500 It woulo
put him on his feet again. 1t woulo
be so little to you and SO much to ua
Mr.. Renwick, and would pray for
you every night. Please send soon to
20 Court alley, upstairs. back room
to Mister James Desmond. Tnat
papa and I'm little Jack"
The old man nodded. quite evi
IDENTIFY q fraud" he said. Little JACK
piles it on too thick. Why let i
worry your"
The girl family smiled.
II don't know why it should" sh,
answered. but 1t does" She hesi
tated. II think" she said. that
will investigate 1t personally tal'
evening"
Court alley" unused the old man
That's not a savory locality. ! VII
send Brown with you. He Will cal
with the motor CIR at .7.3O."
When the old man entered his ONO
the next morning the girl was at ne
desk.
"What did you find out, Miss Trevor
concerning the boy and the letter n
wrote?"
quite enough, sir. The people wer
what I expected. The man Is vags
bond. and the woman poor creatur
, with an appalling taste for stron
drink.
, "And the boy?"
"There is a boy, but he isn't rela
, ed to them. The boy is better tina
, his surroundings. He told me the w
man made him write the letter an
send It to you. The boy Is an orphan
His father died four years ago. an
T his mother q year later. HIS on
; home since his mother died has bee
! with this wretched pair"
lie should be taken from them
said the old man.
"I have arranged to take him." tt
girl responded. Il bought him fro
the people. He will be brought hel
this morning."
. "And what will you do with him
the old man asked.
II mean to adopt him."
He drew down his thick gray e!