The Western outlook., 1914-12-12

NO. let him have the fond dream
that we are able to surround him with
the comforts he so appreciates and en-
joys"
Fond dream, indeedl To Rufur
Deane there came period of ease
and comfort that made life one con-
tinuous round of satisfaction. Never
were more ardent friends than the
bright, happy couple who ministered
to his wants as devotedly as though
they were really his children. He
told them mysteriously more than
once that they should not lose by
it" but they paid no further heed to
the remark than to feel that his graft
tude well repaid them for their exer-
tions
Then came dark days. Ernest Les
lie lost his position. 1t had come
about through the firm employing him
learning of his negotiations for little
store. These fell through because he
could not arrange for the payments
required.
One month, two months, passed by
and Ernest found no work Bravely,
however, the devoted pair saw to 1t
that their honored guest, the old man
upstairs, never suspected their real
condition. They denied themselves.
every luxury. All they had to support
themselves with now was what Rhoda
earned by some fine sewing, and a
baby was coming, too.
The old man never surmised how
hard the shoe of poverty was pinching
until one morning, and then quite acci.
dentally. Under the kind ministra-
tions of Rhoda and her husband, good
food and sanitary surroundings, Mr..
Deane had got so that he could move
slowly about the room. AS he neared
the open doorway that especial morn
ing he was amazed and then startled
at conversation going on below.
Rhoda was pleading with the land
lord of the place for respite of an
other week on rent payment. Her
hard-hearted creditor twitted her with
keeping lazy burden, not even a rel
ative, upstairs. Amid her fearful
emotion Rhoda told Of the love and
duty they felt towards her former
benefactor.
"The rent tomorrow, or out into the
street you gol" roared the implacable
old landlord
"The coarse scoundrel-my poor,
little Rhoda!" raved Deane, and hob
bled to a corner Of the room, pulled
open the top of his old trunk. and after
fumbling over its contents, brought
into view a well-worn tin box. Then
with this he stumbled to the head OF
the stairs.
He could hear Rhoda sobbing bitter
ly, he could catch the rough censur-
ing words Of the landlord. He started
forward. A scream rang from Rhoda's
lips and her creditor gazed agape, as
Mr.. Deane lost his balance and came
rolling down the stairs. The tin box
came down with slam and he on top
OF 1t. Remarkably active was the old
man. Excitement seemed to arouse
his energy He sat up, shaking his
fist at the landlord.
you insolent rufflan!" he shouted.
"Rhoda, my dear, pay this man all
up, and ahead If he wants 1t, and he'd
better keep out Of my way, after be-
rating you the way he has!"
And Mr.. Deane opened the tin box
and took out roll Of bills, and besides
these, there were a dozen valuable
seeming documents.
Yours" he said, rendering Rhoda
the box as the landlord retired-"you
brave, unselfish dear! never sus-
pected that you were poor, and kept
silent about the little fortune had.
1t is all yours, now"
And Ernest Leslie got his little store,
and Rufus Deane saw to 1t that they
shared the luxuries Of life with him.