The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1907-10-18


by their surroundings.
They passed into the outer office, and
Mason went TO thank Inspector Brad
ley.
Don't forget your ticket" whispered
the pleased officer.
The reminder Jared, but it was I'M
avoldable. Mason got his ticket in
dorsed, the lads looking on shyly the
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 frank
smile. Neither of us takes drink.
Come home with us. We have room
ready for you"
II have lodgings
'You can go there tomorrow and get
your belongings
"Yes. Jump into this cab" urged
Willie. I'VE live in Westminster 1t
is not very far"
Mason was fascinated by the boys
pleasant assumption of authority. They
spoke like young gentlemen, with the
accent that betokens a good education.
He yielded without protest.
They sat three abreast in a 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.
Il suppose, father, you are wonder
ing how we came to meet in such q
place." said John.
at might puzzle me If 1 found time
to think"
"Well, the superintendent arranged
everything. Unfortunately he was
away on his holidays when-when you
were released-or we would have met
you then, and his deputy was not
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 if he
was there himself" growled Mason
good humoredly
'Oh, John didn't mean that, father"
broke in Willie. 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"
1T gave us such shock when we
heard the TRUTH" said downright John.
But we were so glad to hear that
pur father was living and that we
should soon see him." explained the
younger.
when did you hear. firstT
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, Johnr'
an fifteen weeks we have saved
enough to pay for half our furniture
besides keeping ourselves well. There's
plenty to eat dad. You won't starve,
big as you are"
They all laughed. The cab was pass
ing st. Thomas hospital. Across the
bridge a noble prospect met their eyes.
London had glamour for Mason that
night 1t never held before.
$50 Robinson wrote to Bradley.
knowing that would report myself to-
day, and Bradley arranged
who is Robinson, father?" inter
rupted John.
1.-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 Arson 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 ham
som, they could see the quick pallor Of
his swarthy face.
"You forget, john" put in the adroit |
william, "that father knows as little |
about our lives as we knew about his |
untli very ItCthtiss WHICH, VIC iS"Nh /
our fat we must begin at the begin |
ming and tell him everything"
"There isn't much to tell,' cried John. |
"When poor mother died we were TAX
EN- care Of by gentleman whom Mr.. |
Philip asked to look after us. When |
the Mary Arson home was built we |
were among the first batch Of inmates. |
II ever young man has done good In !
this world, 1t is Mr.. Philip Arson. 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 well and fed well and given
such instruction In first class trade
that even Mt our age we can earn e.
week between us. And what he has |
done for us he does for hundreds Of
others. God bless Philip Arson, I
sayw
"Amenv' said his brother.
The voices Of his sons reached Ma
sons tortured brain like sounds heard,
remote but distinct. through n long
tunnel. His great frame seemed to
In an instant he became an
oId p,on uo cot bis tooth and TANNED |