Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1908-03-12

thing about them and her" Then la
looked doubtful. Perhaps Bill wouldn't
see me. after ALL"
He was startled from his ~perpleXi.
ties by a motor car dashing close to
: the curb and stopping beside where he
was slowly passing.
A large, we'll built man sprang from
the machine and in doing so jolted
against him accidentally.
"Your pardon, SIR" apologized the
man. The words were scarcely uttered
when his face went aghast.
"Merciful God!' he breathed.
The Bum, too surprised to move and
his OWL face ashy pale, mumbled some.
thing that sounded like "Bill"
The hearty clasp that inclosed the
trembling hand of the Bum dispelled
all doubts as to how "Bill' would re.
ceive him. The other hand he brought
down on the BUNS shoulder with a
glad thump.
"Jim," almost shouted the man.
Jim, can it be possible this is you?'
And tears, manly, shameless tears,
were plainly visible in the blue eyes OF
William Van Camp Higginson. he
linked an arm affectionately within
that Of the dirty, unkempt bum.
"Come inside" he said.
There was business Of Importance
that morning for the banking house OF
Higginson, Matthews & Pollock, and
when Mr.. Higginson's arrival was an
nounced partners and clerks hurried
to counsel with him, but MI. Higgin-
son waved them off. He passed on
through the long hallway straight to
his private Offices.
He pushed the Bum in gently ahead
of him, closed the door and locked it.
Jim Pierson, where in the devil have
you been all these years?" then adding,
in a voice not devoid Of emotion, 1--WE
I've actually prayed that you'd come
back"
The Bum didn't notice the incongruity
Of Higginson's language. He was strug-
Cling with his own emotions. he was
trying to venture that one question that
had been uppermost In his heart since
yankee Doodle" had sent the blood
coursing through his veins and dragged
him from his wretched abode into the
atmosphere of better things. into the
presence of representative men Now,
powerless with fear, he could not so
much as mention their names-her
name.
He would go. He wouldn't remain
even though Higginson was most hos
pitable. Better tormenting uncertainty
than %torturing truth. He rose.
II can't stay, Bill. You're too busy a
man to be bothered With
"Sit right down there" said Higgin-
son, forcing the Bum back in a quiet.
masterful way. Then, with a quaver of
tenderness in his voice. Jim, 1 know
what brought you back, and the soon
er you know the better"
The BUNS heart came dangerously
near stopping. 1t was, then, as he fear
ed. Would Billy say married" or-or
-"dead?" BE wouldn't wait to hear.
Again he rose for fight. Higginson
placed kindly restraining hands upon
him.
w. lCI-1o-1OI hlull1Cu
She's still in love with you," said Hig-
ginson, looking at the Bum steadily,
Then he set his captive free, and the
Bum walked to a window, where he
stood looking out for a long time, but
he was not studying the beauties OF
monstrosities Of neighboring skyscrap-
ers. He was dwelling OF what seemed
to him, as nearly as he could figure
things out. possible impossibilities. And
there was a warm. happy feeling with.
In him, the like of which he had long
since relinquished. He whistled "Yan.
kee Doodle softly, and Higginson won
dered as he slipped into an adjoining
room beyond the hearing Of the Bum.
Bring a complete outfit of my
Clothes" he telephoned in a low voice,
ives, everything-hat, necktie, shoes
the whole business. What? No, moth,
ing's happened to me. 1 just want then
for Well, bring them along, an(
right away. And. say, Thomas, dom
mention this to Mrs. Higginson."
The Bum turned as Higginson re
entered the room.
Tell me about the Others" he said.
For a long time Higginson talked
Things of vital interest had tranEpiret
since that mad. wild day of the Bum:
disappearance. :
His father had died leaving him {
small fortune if he were ever found
His mother still lived. His sister Lau
"a, as the Bum had already surmised
had married Higginson. and it was onl,
a year since the marriage had occurred
Higginson and Laura were living in tn
old home with the Buns mother.
Every known means had been EN-
ployed and large sums of money spen
in the search for the Bum. and yea
after year the family had remained il
town late into the heat of the summe
and had returned early in autumn. hop
ing against hope that he might com
and there would be some one to wei
come him.
Beatrice Cuyler cared little for socia
matters these days. She was going
good deal into the poor parts of tn
city trying to lessen the pangs Of he