The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-12-13
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.'If you should want me I will como back willingly think you must be afraid that now that you are well may be trou- blesome to you. But I should not nave been, indeed. You owe me nothing, but 1t is right that you should deal as justly by me as if I were a lady. If you sus- pect me of meanly making much of the little I have done to comfort you in sick ness, you do yourself more wrong than ever you can do me. That is why l am sorry"
 She went quietly out of the door. AS soon as she had disappeared Redlaw came forth. The young man stepped toward him. The chemist thrust him back and struck at him and wildly hurried into the snow and storm.
 As he came to the keepers house at the entrance to the college buildings he glanced through the windows at the bright fire within. The room was empty, save for a child that lay on the floor close to the fiame The chemist remem- bered Williams reference to the waif that Mrs William had picked up, and looked at the creature closely. It had a small face that spoke in its outlines of not more than half a dozen years, but that want and evil experience had pinched and twisted into fearful resemblance to old
  child that had never been child.
 With sudden decision Redlaw entered and shook the creature. It snarled and struck out with the swiftness of an awakened animal
 You let me alonel" it screamed. This is the woman's house. I want the wo- manp It's grabbed infant hands stole to the bars to drag forth embers and throw them at Redlaw, while it's bright eyes slared at him cunningly.
 Bit by bit the chemist soothed the crea- ture. With money, with coaxing, with promises and with menaoes, he succeeded at last in bending the distorted infantile intelligence to his will.
 T want you to take me-" said the chemist, when tho child had become pli- ant. ito some place where the people are very miserable. I want to do them good, not harm"
 He wrote few lines on a piece of pa per and left it for William. Then they set forth, and Redlaw followed his guide till they reached a -ruinous collection of houses.
 Sorrow and troubler" said Redlaw en- tering the filthy doorway. "Surely will do well to bring forgetfulness of such things herer'
 He saw door standing partly open. He looked in.
 "Mr. Redlaw!" cried voice, and old Philip hobbled toward him. "This is like youl You have heard of 1t and have come to help us. Too late, too latev'
 Redlaw. bewildered. followed the old man to the bed. A man lay on it. and William Swidger stood by its side.
 Redlaw looked down on the figure. It was that of a man who should have been in the vigor of life; but the vices of his 40 or 50 years had branded him and wasted him in a way ghastly to see.
 "Too 1atei Too latel' said old Philip, weeping. "Oh, my son George, my son George, who was his mothers pride more than all the restv'
 "Fatherl' murmured the sick man, ra1- lying a little from the stupor. It's dreadful to think of now, that I was once mothers favorite. isn't 1t? It cuts you to the heart, fatherl"
 "Yes, yes,' said Philip "So it does. It's a heavy sorrow to think of that time, George but 1t does me good, too, George. Your mother said with her last breath: Tell him I forgave him all and prayed for him. have never forgotten her words, and I am ST. Ohl was thankful only yesterday that I could remember this unhappy son when he was an innocent child What a comfort it Is now to think that even God has that remembrance of himr
 Redlaw spread his hands before his face and tried to escape from the room.
 "Is there something black out there?" said the sick man. Redaw trembled Answer" cried the sick man, change coming swiftly over his face and voice. Why. damn you!' he said, scowling. I've lived bold, and I mean to die boldl"
 He put his arms over his head and ears as If to shut out all remonstrances Red law stopped as if struck by lightning.
 William! Where's my son William?" quivered old Philip. impatiently "wf- liam, come away from here I want to go homel I want my comfort! I've a right to iti I'm SIT!
 I'm whipped if 1t hasn't been half a century of making you comfortable" growled William, suddenly stung to an- ger. Ever so many years of eating and drinking and making yourself comforta- ble over and over again.!
 Redlaw burst from the room desper- ately, called to his guide and hurried blindly back to the college.
 In his room the creature threw itself down on the floor and crouched before the fire again.
 And this," muttered Redlaw, gazing at 1t with horror and fear, lis the only companion that have left on earthr'
 Slowly the heavy night passed on it's solemn way. The boy lay fast asleep. The chemist sat in his chair, still staring at the dead grate. So he had sat all night. like man turned to stone.
 Suddenly the Christmas music began to play. Through the hush and the silence 1t came as if all the spaces of the dark earth were singing. Low, sweet, conquer ing, 1t trembled in his~ears. He rose and stretched his hands out. His face be- came less fixed. and wonder stole over 1t. Suddenly his eyes filled with tears and he bowed his head
 When he looked up again he saw the phantom standing at the boys head, inl- movable and dark, with its changeless eyes fixed on his
 "Speakl' cried Redlaw. Speak and tell me If I can undo what have done!'
 The phantom did not stir. It was as if the room shook with a word of doom:s
 "No"
 Not for me! Not for mel" cried Red law. But for those whom have cursed with my gift! Can I do nothing?'
 Again the dreadful silence of the phan- tom answered:
 Il