Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1912-03-22

despair. There might he time Tor the
rest OF them to make restitution For
him the suggestion came a month too
late.
Timidly Giuseppe touched the hand
Of the man standing there SO still and
white. Beckett looked down at the boy
and saw him holding out the bundle
Of money.
"Please-a. signor. Il ees-a for meT"
he sighed incredulously.
"Yes-yes." muttered the man impa-
tiently. and then, with sudden interest,
What you going to do with Il. chr
I'VE 20 back TO ltalia-my DEAR
mother and da bambino-mebbe we
goa tomorrer-ahF
Becket's hand fell on the lads shout
der. wait a moment. son. and I'll
go with you"
The bewildered Giuseppe waited
while Beckett called for his hat and
overcoat. and when he was ready they
went down the bright avenue toward
the telegraph office.
The manager frowned as Giuseppe
FASTENED in and laid his book on the
desk. "Fifty-one. you're twenty min
utes late" he growled. That's a bad
beginning for you. Try it few times
more and you'll be fired"
"Pleesa fire me now" suffered Giu.
seppe excitedly.
Every welcome around in the
morning for your time. I'll take your
badge. Now git till tomorrow"
1t was long journey to the Italian
quarter where the Salettis lived in
one tiny room, and many turned to
look at the faultlessly attired clubman
with a hint Of evening clothes be.
meath his light overcoat and the grimy
little Italian in his badgeless uniform.
At last they alighted from the car
and threaded the tunnel-like street,
where the Salettis lived. Up a greasy
walled staircase, up, up. TO a giddy
height. where pretty little dark eyed
woman snatched Giuseppe to her abreast,
Giuseppe breathed the wonderful
story In her ear SO that the pretty
bambino might not be awakened and
no listening ear might learn OF the
treasure In his bosom. Though the
hour was late. Giuseppe went forth
with Beckett to ticket Office, where
the precious tickets were purchased
for the big steamer sailing the next
day. Then Beckett turned the remain
der of the money, and II was no small
sum, into Il postal order that might b,
cashed In the town nearest the Salettis
destination.
The next morning Just as the crow(
was thickest on the dock where III,
steamship was making ready for de
parture Beckett arrived with his happ!
charges.
When the dark. cavernous hold o
the sleerage entrance had swallowe,
them up and their gayly colored bun
dies had disappeared from his sigh
forever Beckett still fingered. watching
the shifting crowd. conscious OF hi
own great loneliness.
The last year had been brief. ma,
| period OF sowing most unprofltabl
crop OF wild oats. and its bitterest nc
ment had been when be had reache,
his mothers death bed too late to as
forgiveness for his thoughtless neglect
Somehow that night be realized tn
| folly OF his ways, but 1t was too hat
now. for there WIS nothing left but r,
morse and II desire 10 do better II
had lost mother. weetheart-every
thing
He was Struggling his shoulders be
cause girls voice on the deck of th
steamer reminded him of Nell FELTON,
when there dropped gently on his tigh
folded arms large red rose Grasl
ing 1t. he looked up. and there. leanin
over the rail Of the steamer and becl
oning him with her eyes. was Nell hel
self.
In trice be was up the gangplan
and beside her. holding her little Clio,
ed hands. asking Il hundred question
with his eyes and not daring to ute
more than II very conventional on
with his lips
Are you going to stay long?" h
asked
She shook her head. Merely fe'
months, Danny. saw you plotting a
Italian family aboard. What was it.
one of your foolish wagersy'
NO" he sail. And In few word
he told her of the yellow envelope an
the news IT bore to Willard and tn
unspoken reminder 1t was to the res
Of the group. 1T came too late fc
me. Nell. do you suppose | can eve
make 1t up TO herr" He nodded III
ward toward the sunlit sky.
Eyes. Danny, You've gone a Ion
step already. know she's smiling 9
you now. oh. they're going tn pull Il
the gangp.ank! Danny. dear. be wal
ing here for me when come back.
will write" she half sohbed. And b
found himself kissing her goodb
while her father wrnng his hand
farewell.
As the big steamer drew away an
headed down the sunlit bay Dan Reel
ct watched until Nell's handkprchiC
was blurred in the distance
IN make good yet can't help
with two Of 'em watching me-"
murmured. and his eyes were fixed o
the blue of the sky and what he kne'
was beyond
| air M r,rr,t