The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-11-01

governor. and was very much annoyed
to find that you had slipped away il
the meantime"
He wouldn't be so annoyed if he
was there himself growled Mason
spontaneously. ss
"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 We're. We
didn't even know you We're alive"
''Of course. OF course. Somebody has
been looking after you well. That's
clear enough They wouldn't be al
ways telling pair of boys that their
father was in Portland"
1T 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. and that we should
soon see him." explained the younger.
When did you first hear?"
About four months ago. Just be-
fore We took our present situations.
We are saddlers and ornamental leath-
er workers. Between us we earn quite
a decent living. Don't we. John?"
I'm 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 starve,
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 glamor for Mason that
night it never held before
$50 Robinson wrote to Bradley,
knowing that ! would report myself
today 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. superintendent
of the Mary Arson Home"
The two boys felt their fathers start
of dismay, of positive fright. They
wondered what had happened to give
him such a 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 as little
about our lives as we know about his
until very recently. When we reach
our flat 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
TIC A1caig AtASOH WdS DullI we
were among the first batch of inmates
II ever a young man has done good in
this world il 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 a first-class trade
that even at our age we can earn five
pounds a week between US. And what
he has done for US he does for hun
dreds of others. God bless Philip An
son, sayi"
Amen said his brother
The voices of his sons reached Ma
sons tortured brain like sounds heard,
remote but distinct, through a long tun-
mel. His great frame seemed to COL
/ lapse. 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
/ logged viii. he shook with palsy
Father cried John. anxiOusly, lit
! tie dreaming how his enthusiastic
speech had pierced to the very marrow
of his nearer. 'are you i'll? Shall we
stop"
Perhaps, John, 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.
mo. no. he gasped. go on. 1t is
-only-a passing spasm."
He must have time, even a few min
utes. in which to drive off the awful
specter that Rugged him in the en-
brace of death. He dared not look at
his sons. If he were compelled to face
them on the pavement in the fIaring
gaslight he would run away.
His anguish was pitiable Great drops
OF sweat stood clammy on his fore
across his face and groaned aloud I'M
consciously:
"Oh, God, forgive mel"
1t was the first prayer that had vol
unfairly left his lips for many a day.
The boys heard. They interpreted il
as an expression of sorrow that his
own career should have been so cut
off from their childhood and Joyous
youth.
We'll, cheer up, dad, anyhow" cried
the elder, much relieved by this con-
clusion- I'VE are all together again,
and you can face the world once more
with us at your side''
No dagger of steel could have hurt
so dreadfuily as this well-meant con-
ISOLATION. But for the sake of his sons
the man wrestled with his agony and
conquered it to some outward seem
ing.
When the cab stood outside a big
building he was steady on his feet
when he alighted, ana he managed to
summon CHASTITY smile to his aid as
he said to John:
y am sorry to set you a bad ex-
ample But that is nothing new, is ito
must have some spirit, strong spirit.
or / can't keep up
Certainly, father. Why not? 1t is
all right as medicine. Willie, YOU 90
and get some brandy while l take ia
Their upstairs
Their flat was on the second floor. II
was neatly furnished. fitted with cleo
trio light. and contained five rooms.
John talked freely, explaining house.
keeping arrangements, the puzzle as to
their fathers size, for the first bed thew
bought was a short one: their hours
of work, the variety of their employ
ment, any and every cheerful topic.
indeed, until Willie came with bot
tie.
Both of them glanCad asEapca ~ +ba