Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1909-02-19

thing abOut them and her, Then he
rocked 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, well built man sprang from
the machine and In doing so jolted
against him accidentally.
"Your pardon, sir" a~pologized the
man. The words were scarcely uttered
when his face went aghast.
"Merciful Godl'' he breathed.
The Bum, too surprised to move and
his own face ashy pale, mumbled some
thing that sounded like "BillP"
The hearty clasp that inclosed the
trembling hand of the Bum dispelled
all doubts as to how "BilI' 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 your"
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
H~igginson, Matthews & Pollock, and
when Mr.. Higginson's arrival was an
.1,.,ooI rorfparc on6 aIorlxc rrfad
to counsel with him, but Mr.. 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 1t.
"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.
81 can't stay, Bill. You're too busy a
MAI 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, / know
what brought you back, and the soon
er you know the better"
The BUNS heart came dangerously
near stopping. It was, then, as he fear
ed. Would Billy say married" or-or
-"dead?' He wouldn't wait to hear.
Again he rose for fight. Higginson
placed kindly restraining hands upon
him.
HBeatrice Cuy1er-is-nof married.
She's still in love with you," said Zig
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 or
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 yam
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;
yes, everything-hat, neektie. shoes,
the whole business. What? No, moth
ing's happened to me. 1 just want them
for Well, bring them along, and
right away. And, say, Thomas, don't
mention this to Mrs. Higginson."
The Bum turned as H%igginson re-
entered the room.
lei int dDOul tnS OlntIS, ne Sulu.
For a long time Higginson talked.
Things of vital interest had transpired
since that mad, wild day of the Buns
disappearance.
His father had died leaving him a
small fortune If he were eve found.
His mother still lived. His sister Lau-
ra, as the Bum had already surmised,
had married Higginson, and 1t was only
a year since the marriage had occurred.
Higginson and Laura were living In the
old home with the BUNS mother.
Every known means had been en-
ployed and large sums of money spent
In the search for the Bum, and year
after year the family had remained in
town late into the heat of the summer
and had returned early in autumn, hop
ing against hope that he might come
and there would be some n to vel
come him.
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