Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1909-12-09
tented herself with saying:

ana TINS Is lung block. where
there is so much consumption?"
at is
And that little child Is coughing
already? No wonder-in such an at
mosnherer'
! She seated herself in Jenny's chair
by the table. Philip taking the one
he had occupied when the poor girl
had made her confession to him.
lust think" he began. I'VE meet
in boarding house where | belong
and you do NOT. Naturally | fall in
love with you because you are a splen-
did, beautiful girl-yes, you are-and
all of sudden bang.-you have prom
! Used TO marry me
She glanced at him curiously.
You big, strong man. why do you
say that | do not belong In a board,
ing house,"
Because you are lady. You never
lived in a boarding house before, did
you?"
No"
You were never brought up in the
expectation of having to earn your
own living?"
No. My father was ruined in bust
ness. and | had to choose between mar
riage and earning my own living"
Il knew it." said Philip with quiet
conviction. IL never loved Il woman
before, and this-your love means ev-
erything to me. | am only il work
ingman. but ! am going to rise It's
4 in | nj q
me-
II do trust you Philip. dear"
Il feel that | can do anything il l
have you to work for anything.
nave had wonderful feeling OF
power lately sinee-l have come to
owe you Margaret. | will gain the
Dig prizes for You the money prizes
Of this world"
II do not want money, Philip That
S why took up nursing. because my
family would have insisted on my mar
'ying a stupid ider who happened TO
De rich. Listen. dear | love you be-
cause you are working for something
better than money because you have
liGh ideals and because you give time
md thought to helping the poor"
His face glowed.
I'VE will help the poor in a big
way you and !. before we get
through" he promised her.
That's what makes me love you
lear" she repeated.
whistle sounded in the street
Philip stood alert.
That's Gentle's signal" he announc-
ad-'you know, dear, my friend at
The boarding house,
He has Il fine face | like him.
He has been like a father to ME
owe everything to him. My real
father
Ilc broke off abruptly, his face cloud
tng over
Gentle entered, took off his cap and
bowed to Margaret He was Il man
some tifty-fve years old, of middle
height. stockily built. and tanned by
exposure. lie was simply dressed in
blue pea jacket, dark trousers and
heavy boots.
lie WAS a diver, like Philip. who
had learned under his guidance the
trade of which he was now an ac-
knowledged master
The girl gave him her hand
i have just seen the captain" said
the old diver. turning again To Philip
lie says you can have the day off.
told the captain this was special
day for YOU
Gentle looked at Margaret with an
Apologize smile.
Does Mr. Gentle know" she whs-
pered TO Philip.
.Oh, yes. know. Miss Lawrence
Philip has no secrets from me-and
such Il secret. My children You
know" he added in explanation to the
girl, "he is like a son TO me-
Then | will be like daughter"
she rejoined promptly and sweetly
My daughter Margaret Gentle ex-
claimed. Then he added reverential-
ly: 1T was the name of Philips
mother. She would be very happy at
the choice her son has made
Gentle" Philip broke in. Il wish
you would tell Margaret about the
night when you first saw my mother"
They sat down.
1T WAS twenty-five years ago" be-
gan Gentle haltingly, "a wild night
and bitter cold. Mrs. Binney q have
boarded with her for more than TWEEN
] ty-tiye years,-Mrs Binney and were
7 playing checkers in the basement sit
/ ting room when all of a sudden we
/ heard the bell. .Sakes alive. who's
! that! said Mrs. Binney. And when |
opened the door, there stood woman
/ in the storm. holding a little boy by his
hand. and she was white as death.
God have mercy. said |. what are
you doing out in night like thisT
We are In great trouble said she.
/ Come in said |. in the name of God
And in they came. and l saw that the
little boy was so cold that the tears
were frozen on his face. That little
boy was Philip. He was then barely
four years Old
And to this day have never heard
what sent my mother out into the