La Junta tribune., 1909-01-16

see me. after aii.'
i He was startled from his perplexi-
ties by motor car dashing close 10
the curb and stopping be~Ide where he
I was slowly passing.
1 A large. well built man spraux from
the machine and in doing 80 joited
( against him accidentally.
"Your pardon. SIR npoiogized the
man. The words were scarcely uttered
when his face went aghasf
"Merciful God-' he brenthed.
The Bum. too surprised to move and
his own face ashy pale. mum bied some
thing that sounded like -.FsfIl.''
The hearty clasp that iuciosed the
I trembling hand OF the Bum disIslied
all doubts as TO how "Bii'' would re-
cclve him. The other hand he brought
down on the BUNS shoulder with
glad thunp-
Jim" almost shouted the man:
'.Jim. cen II 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 affectionateiy within
that OF the dirty. unkempt bum
Come inside" he Said.
There was business OF importance
that morning for the banking house of
Hlgginson. Matthews X Pollock. and
when Mr.. Hig-inson's arrival was an
uouDced partners and clerks hurried
to counsel with him. but Mr. filsSin-
sou waved them on 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.
"Iim Picrson. where In the devil have
You been all these years. then adding
In a voice not devoid OF emotion. i've
I've actually prayed that you'd come
back"
The Bum didn't notice the incongruity
of Iilggirson'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.
poweriess with fear he could not 80
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
Il can't stay. Biil. You're too busy 4
man TO be bothered with
'Sit right down there" said Higgin-
son. forcing the Bum back in a quiet.
mnsterful way. Then. with q 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 1t was. then, as he fear
ed. Would Billy say married. or-or
-"deadY He wouldn't wait to hear
Again he rose for flight. HiEginson
placed kindly restraining hands upon
him.
Beatrice Cuyler-is-not married.
She's still In love with you." said His-
ginson. looking at the Bum steadily.
Then he set his captive free, and The
Bum walked to a window. where be
stood looking out for n long time. but
he was not studying the beauties or
ers. He was dwelling on what seemed
to him. as nearly as he could figure
things out. possible impossibillties. And
there was warm. happy feeling with.
in him. the like of which he had long
since reiipquished. He whistied .Yan-
kee Doodle softly. and Higginson won
| dered as he slipped into an adjoining
room beyond the hearing OF the Rum.
Bring complete outfit Of my
clothes" he telephoned In low voice:
yes. everything-hat. necktie, shoes.
the whole business What: No. moth
ing's happened TO me. 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 Higginson re
entered the room.
TELL me about the Others" he said.
For 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 q
small fortune II he were ever found
His mother still lived. His sister Lau-
ra. rs the Bum had already surmised.
had married Higginson. and 1t was only
n 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
utter 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 be might come
md there would be some one 10 vel
come him.
Beatrice Cuyler cared little for social