The Intermountain Catholic. (Salt Lake City [Utah] ;) 1899-1920, 1909-02-06

he boy suddenly held out his hand. - on are
a good fellow" he said huskily, IF you are de-
tee He could not finish his sentence.
Brace up" said Manning. slapping him on the
shoulder. "You will need all your to
get through the afternoon
Mother and father" said Billy, few minutes
later, Il want to introduce a friend of NINE Mr.
John Manning, from New York. He has heard
of a good job for me, and has taken lot of trou
bic to come up here to let know about it"
Il want to know cried Deacon Woodruff \ex-
tending his hand in cordial welcome. 81 am proud
to know We sir. Ma, here; come shake hands with
Billy's friend"
Ma" came in from the kitchen. She was
sweet little old lady with snowy hair, mild blue eyes
and the gentlest Of manner. She was trile fus
tered at the unexpected advent of this handsomeI
smartly dressed stranger, but giving him tmid
greeting, Immediately asked, as any good country
housewife would, if Mr.. Manning had been to din
ner
No. Mr. Manning had not dined
We'll, now" said the deacon, chow lucky that
is We was Jest on the pint of settin' down Come
right in, Mr.. Manninf, and make yourself at home.
Any friend of Billys is welcome to our house,
The four presently seated at dinner in the
great kitchen. Manning, who being the crack head
quarters man. was always assigned to look out for
distinguished guests at Delmonico and Sherry ban
quets, said himself that had he Jared bet
ter. Chicken and dumplings like feathers foated on
a sea of delicious gravy. Vegetables of all sorts.
mince and pumpkin pie, fruit cake, ounce jam and
currant jelly tempted the appetite
The deacon bowed his head and invoked
blessing the food. the drink, the family, and
"the stranger within our gates" and grant o
merciful Father" he concluded that in all tho
coming days we may show to one another the kind
ness and mercy that Thou dost show to US Amen"
The face of John Manning was as inscrutabe
as ever when 1t was lifted after the blessing. No
would have dreamed that behind that impene-
trol No In, onh
reer he told himself, he had never run up against
such game as this 1t internally tough. he
declared, and heartily wished he had never been
detailed to such duty.
As the meal progressed and the fine old couple
urged their deicaces upon their guest. and we're so
anxious to minister to his wants in every possible
way, Manning grew correspondingy uneasy, and
thought at times his food would surely choke him.
After the dinner came the smoke and many kind
ly questions exceedingly difficult to parry But the
climax of the wretched afternoon was reached when
Mrs, Woodruff having finished tidying(up brought
out her knitting and sat down to visit with Mr..
John Manning.
Il reckon you and Billy have known each other
quite time she said gently. as she clicked her
shining needles and beamed over her glasses at the
gust.
Er-well-yes" returned the unhappy detec
tive. trying to avoid those mild, unworldly eyes.
well. then, we've known real good boy, Mr.
Manning pursued the little old lady. Our Billy
haln't never given mite of trouble When
he first went off to that air wicked Babylon of
New York, feared for him that he might be tempt
ed and led away. But We know. Mr.. Manning
mothers prayers go long ways
Yes ma'am, that's So assented Manning
stealing look at Billy out of the tail of his eye
The boy sat by the window, rigid as statue star
ing out at the bare, brown meadows powdered over
with snow.
as your mother living Mr. ManningI' asked
the gentle old lady, deity catching up dropped
stitch in her knitting
Manning suddenly stopped and picked up a
match that had fallen from his fingers NO
tie chap" He spoke calmly, but his hand trembled
slightly as he relit his cigar.
Poor boy!" said the motherly old soul. She
gently patted the detectives fashionable coat sleeve
with thin, wrin1led hand. "Wall, now," she
went on, "as We such friend of my Billy's and
an orphan, want We to always make this your home
when you feel so disposed"
''Thank you, ma'am," said Mr.. John Manning
quite humbly
"Were you country boy, Mr. Manning" she
presently asked.
Once more the gates of memory swung open,
and vision Of an old Southern home covered with
jasmine and honeysucke, drifted before the man.
Only shadow, with wraith-ke figures and ghostly
echoes of long-forgotten voices. Gone in an in
slant. But the impassive face had grown strangely
set and pale. yes" he said slowly, yes, l was
brought up in the country"
Now, jest think of that" murmured Mrs.
Woodruff. Il presume that's why l took to ye at
first sight, though ye don't look very countrifed
now She looked admiringy his immaculate
linen, his smart clothes. the tie which had ravaged
the soul of Milt Peck with envy. Il should think
ve'd like to git away into the country now and then
for rest What might be your business, Mr.. Man
ningW
The detective hesitated for a moment.
II am the confidential agent" he said thought
fully 'of very large and widereachng concern
My special work is looking up people whom my en-
oloyers wish particularly to see and in bringing
hem in touch with another"
''And that is what you doing for my Billyl7
questioned the mother with gentle pride.
Something in that line, yes returned Mr..
ohm Manning, and he hurriedly drew forth his
handkerchief and wiped the moisture beginning to
cluster on his brow. This time she did not glance
at the boy who still sal with set pale face staring
,ut of the window at the desolate landscape.