Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-04

Nc, 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 Rufus
Deane there came a 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 grati-
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 it
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 q
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 a conversation going on below.
Rhoda was pleading with the land
lord of the place for respite Of an
other week on rent payment Hel
hard-hearted creditor twitted her with
keeping lazy burden, not even rel
ative, upstairs. Amid her tearfu
emotion Rhoda told Of the love ant
duty they felt towards her former
benefactor.
THE rent tomorrow, or out into tht
street you got" roared the implacahl'
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 aftel
fumbling over its contents, brough
into view a well-worn tin box. Thei
with this he stumbled to the head o
the stairs.
He could hear Rhoda sobbing bitter
lly, he could catch the rough censuI
ing words Of the landlord. He starte'
forward. A scream rang from Rhoda'
lips and her creditor gazed agape, a
Mr.. Deane lost his balance and cam
rolling down the stairs. The tin bo.
came down with slam and he on to-
Of it. Remarkably active was the oil
man. Excitement seemed to arous
his energy. He sat up, shaking hi
list at the landlord.
you insolent rufian!" he shouted
"Rhoda, my dear, pay this man al
up, and ahead if he wants it, and he
better keep out Of my way, after bt
rating you the way he has!"
And Mr.. Deane opened the tin bo
and took out roll of bills, and beside
these there were q dozen valuable
seeming documents.
Yours" he said, rendering Rhod
the box as the landlord retired-"yo
brave, unselfsh dear! / never SUI
pected that you were poor, and keT
silent about the little fortune l ha'
1t is all yours, now"
And Ernest Leslie got his little stor'
and Rufus Deane saw to 1t that the
shared the luxuries of life with hin
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