The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-11-22

He was insensible for many days. When he returned to life he found himself in & pretty room, with snowy curtains and bright pictures on the walls-such beau tful place as Oliver had never seen in his workhouse life A delightful old lady who told him she was MT. Brownlow's 8 housekeeper tfotted around busily and fed him industriously on broth. Soon MT. Brownlow hustled in, blowing his nose ostentatiously and wiping his eyes fur lively as he saw the wasted little face and beheld the withered little hand that was put forth timidly in greeting.
 Suddenly he stopped short and said to the old lady: "Why, Bedwin, Hook here! Whats this?
 He pointed to the boy and then to a pie ture of a beautiful young girl that hung oevr his head. Divers face was it's living copy; the eyes, the nose, the mouth, every feature was the same.
 MT Brownlow's excitement so acted on Oliver in his weakness that he fainted again, and when he opened his eyes the picture had disappeared. Then followed happy. quiet days of slow recovery. When he was we'll enough to go downstairs Mr. , Brownlow asked him into the library to hear his story. and Oliver was just begin ming 1t when the old gentleman recollect- ed that he intended to send a5 to book seller who needed the money.
 He entrusted Oliver with the errand The boy was scarcely out of sight of the h gins band-Bill Sikes and a girl named Nancy. Before he could cry out he was ragged into a a"coach and driven to the old house.
 Oliver fell on his knees at Fagin's feet and begged him to send back the money to his benefactor.
 Tile will think that I stole itl" he cried. '"rhe good, kind gentleman who took me home and had me nursed when was near dyingl Oh, keep me here all my life, but send him back the moneyr'
 You're right, Oliver; you're right" chuckled Fagin- He will think you've stolen it."
 Yes" growled Bill sikes, "and the soft hearted psalm singer won't ask questions after him because he won't want to prose- cute and get him Jagged. So he's safe enough"
 ''So you wanted to stay away from us, my dear. eh?" asked Fagin. picking up club and striking Oliver. He was rais- ing the weapon for another blow when the girl Nancy wrested 1t from him and flung 1t into the fire.
 You've got the boy" said she. 'and l what more would you have? Let him be-, let him be, or I shall put that mark on some of you that will bring me to the gallows ahead of time" '>Come, come, Sikes," said agin, shrink ing back and appealing 10 the big ruffian, make her civil. We must have civil words"
 wordsl You deserve them from me! I thieved for you when I was not half so old as this child! I wish I had been struck dead before I brought him here tonight. He's thief, liar, a devil, all that's bad, from this night forthl' Tearing her hair in mysteries, she made | a rush at Fagin, and would surely have 1 left signal marks on the covering wretch l if her wrists had not been seized by l Sikes; on which she made a few in- | effectual struggles and tainted. Oliver was kept a close prisoner for | many weeks. At last one night he was awakened to find Fagin and Bill Silxes hanging over him. He was told to dress and come to the table. There, in the light l of a tallow dip, Sikes showed him a pistol,
 and, putting it suddenly to his temple,
 growled: Now you're a-going out with
 me. And if you speak word without my | leave that load will be in your head with out notice"
 l Taking the trembling boy by the hand,
 Sikes strode forth into the stormy night.
 They walked smartly out of London until | day came, when they entered public l house and stayed there till dark. Then
 they made their way to deserted house. where they found a gentleman whom Sikes addressed as Toby Crackit. l After few hours spent in drinking
 and slumber the two filled their pockets | with weapons and ordered Oliver to ! come They went straight to coun- try house standing in large garden. AS they were climbing the wall Oliver, | who realized now what they were go- 1 ing to do, fell on his knees and clasped
 his hands, begging the men to let him ] go.
 1 With @ curse Sikes cooked his pistol. but Crackit said: Flush I've seen older hands than him took the same way the
 first time" Sikes. swearing, fright