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DAY paneled, Kvere well Res and pegs. The {filed with a 701m}! ,Ihere! You go to your mo- dendeavor to cheer her 11p~ 599 What I can do. What! .VOu argue with me 9 G0 at insist. Liste-n. 5119 is calling if.” hr said‘ "1 van buy some mount 01' \xizu. In the shops Ithings in 25:15 that make broth. don‘t tint-y ? I have a a kettle. Would you mind lthat, if it 1w God’s will.” 193111 of pilrsihil yielded to ut- Elplessnvss. The boy again forth hi stiny store of money. "-tnr \Vus ~hm-kr-d, visibly SO. is a fuolislw and wicked state- hr sai-l str-rnly. “Do not let ‘thrr htuf >11t1h awful words. pliwl and will die a true a. I hav- “WV-1‘ met a woman lrr natural charm and real She has mffr-rml so much that his the lifv .gtwrnal. It is a‘ pot a puuirlzmwnt. Cast away‘ m’iblc thoughts; go, rather kl by ht? sidw in prayer.” Iinstant the gerut brown eyes lercely at him to pray I} 2:: my mother shall away from ll‘m frame tin" quiv-t answer. “May [9pm. 5hr vsuuld not have liv- mm! cgrmz \‘binzl Hf death. rrestlc with the glove ceased, innlly hand l‘z:>tcd on Phillip’s the man wondered at the rsiétence of the questioner, 3. looking ,actiw boy of fifteen, 15 worn (‘10!th too small for Wearing an old pair of boots sizes too large. The strong, Cr, pinch-«i with vigils and .Ihr large. earnest, heavy shed tears. 1h:- lips, quivering‘ [It‘SOIuIt‘ CHmpI‘t‘SSiOD over a a: imiioatwi grunt strength of :-r.appr.~ale.1 far more to the ham :1 whin’xpvring terror with ;e (‘MMI’r-H of the poor usually, the man midmed in protest. {be stuphl. Philip. That is e, is it nut .’â€" When I want [will (15k fur it. Your mo ‘15 a mu». wine, chicken You an “H vnnugh to realize ucm- practicing in a neighbor- L- this might want such things and whistlv- for them. But in‘ mfirmary tin-y are provided‘ State." dmy minim-r have lived had eentcd IQ Em mkvn there a. ago P” hard up. eh y dug a hand into a pocket e stolid indiffc‘rence of des- 13 pmdum-d two shillings and mnies. Hy picked out the sil- [su men The sound gal- ) vivid consciousness. said, earnestly, “you 0"! tor paufli'd. ‘1'111 word wa; professional me care 011 ‘ 9 'his Story is Controlled Exclusively by The Free Press. : WawwwwwW¢mMWW CHAPTER L J front of the dwelling. were nnrlmi-m. We 5211* alone in the thv ground floor, 11;:1rtment above, L21: upening that mr. The walls, n: well provided Ew-Ip anybody,” was n. =ht: is calling King of Diamc +4“? wwwwwm‘ J ohnson’s Mews. . hope, doctor ?” noneâ€"now.” {one to theâ€"the work- .â€"x-;ou1d she have liv- The gulp before 5 not. lost on him. sovuity, and be- the buttoning of back door BY LOUIS TRACEY‘ man my example um ww - â€"7 . 1113 to you amidst the ”chances and Dneppe, where rmn‘p's femur was me changes of your career. Promifie'me: agent Of an Old 33‘3““th London darling, that. you will resign yourself Of e?“ Shippers. 51”“ .tWO to the decrees of Providencé even in years ”the“ both husband and wife “Phil, darling, don’t make it hard- er for me. Oh, calm yourself, my dear, if only for my sake. I have so much to say to you, and perhaps so little time. Be strong, Philip. Be strong and brave, and all will be well with you. I know you will miss me â€"we have been all in all to each oth- er since your father’s death. But my‘ memory must be sweet, not bitter to you. When you think of me I want the recollection to inspire you to do that which is right regardless of con- sequences, to strive always for honor and for the approbation of your own ,conscience. My own dear boy, we 1 must bow to the will of God. We have indeed been sorely tried, you far more than I, for I can look back on years of perfect happiness with a lov ing husband and a delightful "child, whereas you have been plunged into poverty and misery at an age when life should be an opening to you, with every promise of a successful career. Perhaps, Phil, your trials have come to you early, as mine have 1 iound me late. I trust I have borne 3 reverses of_ health and fortune 171th ‘ patience and resignation. , M31398“ ; ent sufferings will‘bera lastinzpytot me, if in the life to.c01qe.-I“nk?°' , Then the boy gave way utterly. He flung himself down by the side of the bed and buried his face in the cov- erlet. . _ “Oh, mother, mother!” he wailed, and his passionate sobs burct forth with alarming vehemence. The poor wo- man vainly strove to soothe him. She could not move, being paralyzed, but her fingers twined gently in his] hair, and she gasped brokenly: Not all his valor could control his 9 best that the paroxysm 0f grief should tremulous lips. A beautiful smile 1-1-ng untrammeled. The nurse, 3 young I woman unused as yet to the inevit- luminated the face of the invalid. “So you are trying to hoodwink! ableness of death, moved timidly to- ’ ward the windows and adjusted the me, Phil, for the first time. I know 1 . . I curtains to admit more light. what the doctor said. He told you I, . , . could not recover, and that I had not At 135*” WM?“ “111,5 strength yield- long to live; in a word, that I am dy- ed to the strain of his sorrow, and the very force of his agony had Spent it- ing.” . Then the ho ave a utt 1 ' self, the doctor leaned over the man- y g W y er y He imate form and looked Into the eyes.[ flnno himgp‘lf rlnnrn Ev flan niflo 116an “You say you were rude to him, Phil ? How can that be possible ? What did you say or do to warrant such a description?” His brave words were well meant, but the mother’s heart understood him too well to be deceived. A thin hand caught his wrist and feebly drew him nearer. “He said, dearest, that What you wanted was some good wine -â€" nice things to eat. He is an awfully fine chap, and I am afraid I was rude to him, but he didn’t seem to mind it a bit, and he is coming back soon with chicken broth and port wine, and I don’t know what.” _ , i _. 7w--- w ”av" burpluuy HIOI'E The voice was low and sweetâ€"thel akin to sleep. diction that of an educated woman.1 Her brain “’35 clear, but the StOCk The boy, too, though his tones were] of nervous force had sunk so low that strong and harsh, spoke with the ac- her few remaining words were spoken ‘cent of good breeding. His mannerr wrthdifliculty. They were 1110“ en~ and words gained some distinction clearing expressions, appeals to her from a slight touch of French eleganceI loved one to hope and pray, to "a“ and precision. This was only notice-I steadfastly in the all-wise power that able in repose. When excited, or; would.d1rect his destiny. With the moved to a deep feeling, the Contin-l last. flicker of existence the maternal ental veneer acquired at the Lycee in : instinct became dominant again, and Dieppe instantly vanished, and he be-: she 33k“! him “Qt to forget her. came the strenous, emphatic Briton The boy could only murmur agon- he undoubtedly was by birth andc ized appeals .to the merciless unseen breeding. i not~to rob him of the only being be “He said, dearest, that What you held dear on earth, but even in thatl wanted was some good wine __ nice awful moment .he ‘had the strength to things to eat. He is an awfully fine cease his frantic protests when they! chap, and I am afraid I Was rude to seemed to cause her pain, and he fore-l him, but he didn’t seem to mind it ed himself to join her in prayer. a bit, and he is coming back soon with When the doctor brought a nurse chicken broth and port wine, and I! and some small store 0f the much- ion’t know what.” I needed delicacies, Mrs. Anson was al- His brave words were well meant, ready unconscious. ’ my example .. ........ "we was" "nu ma, men 1 swerâ€"-â€"-” _ hidden by touttings from the colored But a scream of terror, so shrill and f ; periodicals published during the p19,} vehement that it seemed to be almost _: vious Christmas season. A screen “Hawkins from so frail a form, froze .l divided the room into two compart the VOW 0!! his lips. ' ments, each containing a tiny bed. “Phil! What are you saying ? Oh, I On one of these, propped up with pil- my son. my son, do not break my lows, lay the wasted figure of 8 WO- heart b91013 I die. Kiss me, dearest , man over whose face the shadows am °°ld- I can scarce see you. , were falling fast. The extreme thin- L“ "191001! once more into your brave mess, the waxen pallor, the delicate 8Yes. You will be a great man, Phi] texture of debilitated skin and unnat-I .1 know It; Who should know your ural brilliancy of the eyes, gave her character like your mother? But a re’markably youthful appearance. you must have faith in 30d. alwaysr This fantastic trick of death in life I have Frayed for you. If you are in i accenuated. the resemblance between} danger my Spirit Will mm“ “9"" _- -A‘L , | in v, v-.. Buys LICK a remarkably youthful appearance. This fantastic trick of death in life accenuated~ the resemblance between mother and son. The boy, too, was sharply outlined by hunger, and, in the fading light of a March day, the difference between the dread tokens of approaching collapse and the tran- sient efiects of a scanty regimen on a vigorous youth was not readily dis- tinguishable. front of the dwelling, were curtained rm“, ”1.3-..-At ‘ whitewashed whose face the shadows I am on fast. The extreme thin- Let me] lxen pallor, the delicate eyes. Y ‘bilitated skin and unnat- I know cy 0f the eyes, gave her Charm“ ly youthful appearance. you mu: ;ic trick of death in life I have I he resemblance between‘ danger 1 8011. The boy, too, Was! you acr‘ ned by hunger, and, in I parted. {ht of a March day, the? You are tween the dread tokens‘ dead W111 Lg collapse and the tram-1 Even i bf a scanty regimen on a' and arm. h was not readily dis-J cruel bli helpless rant ' anything, mother months, he boy, laying his hands was dyir he clammy forehead. gle again :pen‘ to min. Mr. and Mrs. Anson had 00- cupied a fairly good position in Dieppe, where Philip's fat-her was the agent. of an old established London firm of coal shippers. About _two [in need, the doctor reviewed the cir- cumstances of _this poverty-stricked household so far as they were known Somewhat to his surprise he was obeyed. While Phil was devouring the food of which he stood so greatly man, with many claims on his time, but this strange youngster interested him. Many citizens did not know thoughts forcibly away from the all- absorbing“ horror of his mother’s death. “Have you a tumbler or a cup ?” he said ,sharply. Phil handed him a tumbler. The doctor poured out some wine taken from the nurse’s basket, soaked a piece of bread in’ the liquor, and gave it to the boy with an imper. ative command to eat it instantly. “Good~by, mother,” he said, and the dull pain in his voice was so heart- rending that the nurse’s sympathies mastered her. She burst out crying. Professional instinct came to the doc- tor’s aid. He sharply reprimanded the half-hysterical woman and sent her ofi on an errand to bring those whose duty it is to render the last services to frail mortality. The boy he led downstairs. He was a busy “It has ended, Phil,” he whisper- ed. “Your mother is in heaven!” In heaven! What a tocsin of woe in a mesage of faith! The boy sud- denly stood up. Hope was murdered within him. His tears ceased and his labored breathing came under control wit ha- mighty effort. He stooped and kissed the pale cheeks twice. i “I have kiled my mother. See! She is dead. I killed her. I made her cry. You told me to look after her iuntil you returned. She cried and isoreamed because I spoke so wildly. , It is all my fault. Iâ€"â€"â€"” The boy, aroused from frenzy by the steps on the stairs, shrieked incohert ently: i Her brainfiwas clear, but the stock | of nervous force had sunk so low that [her few remaining words were spoken with difl‘iculty. They were most en~ { clearing expressions, appeals to her i loved one to hope and pray, to trust I steadfastly in the all-wise power that -V __- v-VOO avw. “Mother,” he mourned bitterly, “I don’t want to live without you. Let us die together. If you cannot stay With me, then I swearâ€"” , But a scream of terror, so shrill and vehement that it seemed to be almost miraculous from so frail a form, froze‘ the vow on his lips. “Phil! What am vnn mnn'nn 9 f“- :ing of terrors whic‘ix passing of human- slow torpidity more in God, always.’ 33‘ 1. If you are in come back to ye We cannot be 1921 x is impossible! W“ ‘ life. I am not am vs. 88 her left hand cog strug- "Dear Madam: I am requested by Sir Philip Morland to ask you not to trouble him with further correspond- ence. This is the fourth time I have beendeairedtowriteintheseterms, so please note that. your letters will wrong. He would glance at their general purport and then commit them to the flames if he thought fit._ The letter in his hand was headed: “The Hall, Beltham, Devon,” and dat- “I found ’em under the dear lydy’s pillow,” she said. Neither poverty nor death robbed Mrs. Anson of the respect paid to her by all who came in contact with her. He sat down, untied a string which bound the letters, and looked at the address on the first envelope. It bore his mother’s name and a recent post. mark. Wondering ldolefully what cor- respondence she could have had dur- ing these later months that demanded such careful preservation, he took out the letters. Suddenly he hesitated. Perhaps these documents alluded to something which his mother did not wish him to know. For an instant his impulse was to consign the pac- ket.to the fire. No; that might be . The women arirVed, course but kindly-hearted creatures. One of them gave them gave the boy a packet of letters. “Four o’clock! I am an hour‘late on my rounds. Don’t go upstairs. There are some women coming. Wait until they have tended your mother. Andâ€"one last word. It. will do you no good to keep vigil by her side. Best. think of her as living. not dead. You will be grateful for my advice in af~ ter life.” “There, there, not 7a word! He glanc- ed at his watch. “You have beenâ€"very goodâ€"to us, doctor,” he forced himself to say. “Ir ever-51 can repay youâ€"” Funeral! The word struck with aimals from adding the havoc 0‘ blind force. Phil had not thought of that. chart!“ ““0118" the “'99“ ‘0 ““3 89" He remembered the dismal pomp of Item! confusion caused by the warring such events in this squalid locality, 1 elements. Telegraph and telephone the loud sobbing of women, the hard- 3 wires became ”0‘ only useless 1"“ faced agony of men, the frightened ,dangerous, and the suburban train curiosity of children. His mother, so (service was consequently plunged in- dear, so tender, so soit-cheekedâ€"the t° a tangle from which it was not ex- .bright, beautiful, laughing woman of tricated until midnight. their life in Dieppeâ€"to be taken away .80 general was the confusion ' so from him forever, and permitted to Widespread the public alarm, that the fade slowly into nothingness in some sudden cessation 0‘ the uproar at 8 dreadful place, hidden from the sun- o’clock caused more prayers of thank- shine, and the ffowers she loved! For @1119” to be uttered in the metmw the first time he understood death. . 1'3 than had been heard for many a When his father was killed his mo-lday’ . Buhworse remained. Thus far ther was left. Anxious tending on her 5 the lightning had been appalling. hm” dispelled the horror of the greater-lliantly lurid, but harmless. At ten: tragedy. Now all was lost. The tears 0.1310“: .the storm raged again, this that he hated were welling forth again "me “"9”“ the 9'9“?” d°‘"" and he savagely hit his lips. fall 0f “"12”“. the lightning, though' L.-- ..... 4..-..- _,_ - l about a month earlier. It read 1 “Better wait a couple of hours, I Phil, and then you can tackle a bear- ty meal. That’s the thing. I like ,to see such prompt obedience, but ‘you certainly have wonderful control for one so young. I may tell you, to relieve present anxieties, that a few employees of your father’s firm have guaranteed the expenses of your moâ€"i ther’s funeral, and they also gave me; a sovereign to tide you over for the l i next few days.” ‘ V“- ---.q nu; awn) I “Surely,” he said, “there is some one to whom you can appeal for help. l Your father and mother must have had some relativesâ€"even distant cou- sinsâ€"and, if they are written to. a friendly hand m y be forthcoming.” 31.41:- _L, A - . “Yours truly. “LOUISA MORLAND.” , _ _-_ ".vv-ulalaa Philip shook his head. The mere taste of food provoked a ravenous ap- petite. He could not eat fast enough. The_doctor stayed him. “- w..---u vuv “W: tor could only guess from the gradual- depletion of their little store of turn ‘ iture. i It was odd that such an intelligent and well-bred woman should be so completely shut off from the rets of the world, and his first question to Phil sought to determine this mystery] “Rural" ” In. -..:.J ¢IAI,, . vvâ€" vv I. ml”- ed liability comnan; Economies were eflected to make way for salar- ied directors. Philip was dism'ssed. with several other junior employees, and the stable yard was marked out as a suitable site for the storage of coal required by the local factories. The development took place early pany allowed Mrs. Anson to occupy her tiny abode until the last day of March. It was now March 5th, and how the widow and her son had lived during he past two months the doc- 4-.. A,, II '7! l'fmd rigorous woman into a decrepit, ’ Yet she hed never spoken of such a , ‘ person. slow paralysis, I Three other letters,- of preceding When the great expenses attendant ! dates, showed that “.Lonisn Horlnnd” on these mishaps were paid, she found kept accurate reckoning. There were herself not only obsolutely poor, but hell 3 dozen more. from a firm of so- rendered incapable of the slighest ef_ licitors. Some of theee were merely fort to turn her many and varied tal- formal acknowledgments of letters ents to account in order to earn a received and forwarded. but one etet ’ livelihood. She came to London, ed that they “were instructed by Lady ‘ where be, late husband’s employers Harland to inform lire. Anson that generously gave her renMree _ Sir Philip Harland dechned elther to‘ Sion of the tenement in which she was see or hear from her.” I lying dead, helped her with funds to Thin. was all. Philip 1er hp furnish it modestly, and found a with face eflame. He was done m lel’kship for Philip with a promise of the house now, alone with his dead early promotion. . mother. were seriously injured in a motor car have patiently. end the nevsboy obeyed. um, glad that he had not followed his first Will impulse and flung any the bun. Avividfluho! lightmngmdethe horses rear end plunge. ’-” ‘.‘Loo§shnrp m”criedtheatnng ‘services at the carriage door. A bun- dle of evening papers, covered with a piece of sacking, somewhat impeded the use of his left hand, and, es it happened, in his right he held a lace bun on which he had just commenced to dine. ‘ Before he could turn the bundle the cariage door opened from the inside. A man spun; out. “Get out of the way.” he said. im- A boy, tall and thin, and scantily attired for such weather, who had taken shelter in the dark portico of the mansion, ran forward to otter his I About a quarter to eight, while the first storm was at its height, a car- riage and pair dashed into a fashion- able West End square and pulled up outside a mansion cast in the stem typed mold of the early Victorian per- iod. The horses. overfed and under-‘ worked, had been rendered frantic by the drive through the park from the ‘further west. Fortunately. they knew this halting plsce. or the coschman would never have halted them. As it was, they sweated white with fear, and the footman. shouting to the oc- eupants of the carriage that he could not attend to the door, ran to their hands after giving a vigorous tug at the house bell. fllled many columns of the newspap- ers next morning. This second out ‘burst was succeeded by heavy and ‘continuous rain. At the hour when the theatres emptied their diminish- ing audiences into the streets London wore its normal rain-sodden aspect. It was not until the following day that people fully understood the magnitude and terrifying results of the later dis- {o’clock the storm raged again, this time without the preliminary down- fall of rain, and the lightning, though less sensational in appearance, was demoniac in eflect. levying a toll on human lives, causing fines and general damage to property, accounts of which the lightning had been appalling, brib; pedestrians. E burly policéxfiih, EEK ligptly l_urid, but harmless. At ten ! tic in waterproof overalls, was advanc- [those eager alike to enter and leave {the charmed circle of the four-mile 1radius, were ruthlessly hidden to wait gwhile the awesome iorces of nature ‘made mad racket in the streets. All horseflesh was afraid. The drivers of Icabs and omnibuses were unable tel Inmake progress. They had sufficient 1ado to restrain their maddened ani- ‘mals from adding the havoc of blind 'charges through the streets to the gen- Ieral confusion caused by the warring (elements. Telegraph and telephone iwires became not only useless but dangerous, and the suburban train service was consequently plunged in- to a “tangle irom which it was not ex-I tricated until midnight. f On The Edge of the Preciplea. L On Friday evening. March 19th. a ‘ thunderstorm broke over London. It f was notably peculiar in certain of its . aspects. The weather was cold and showery, a typical day of the March equinox. Under such conditions bar- ometric pressure remains fixed rather than variable, yet many whose busi-1 ness or hobby it is to record such facts observed a rapid srhinkage in [the mercury column between the hours .of six and seven. A deluge of rain [fell for many minutes, and was fol- lowed, about 7..” p.m.. by a mad tur- moil of thunder and an astounding: electrical display not often witness- 'ed beyond the confines of the giant mountain ranges of the world. So violent and unnerving was the outburst that the social life of London. was paralyzed for the hour. Theatre! parties. diners in the fashionable res-j taurants, the greater millions anxious to~ get away from oflices and shops.‘ sake. Wlut can I do {0 show my 10v}: for you ?” “You poor darling,” he murmured. “I believe you humbled yourself ev~ en_ to b3 {tom tyeee people for my He went upstairs. with the letters crushed in his right hand as though he would choke a reptile which had stung the onl ybeing he loved. He bent over the shrunken form, so pluc- id, so resigned, so angelic in the peace of death, and the hot tears {ell un- : The curt incivility o! the note brought an angry flush to the boy's hoe. Who to Sir Philip Harland that he should dare'to ofier this insult to a Indy ? Evidently a relative, and a near one, {or Harland was his mo-é ther’s name, and his own Christianl CHAPTER ll. netmpo-I most tearful. many 3‘ Through the crowd of frightened 'hus far; setzvaptis, augngentied by a iew daring produced a penny. » and neu- them. the puny-cum but}: Ana}- uyrench M Etna-ment- he But his lordship deigned no reply. Retold theeoachmantoatnngetor the remove] of the mine. amped hisniecebytheermandledhergtfll protesting, into the home. Everyone experienced a shock of surprise at. hen-inc the boy’s elegant diction. The policeman was puzzled. He instantly understood the bets, but dared not browbeot an earl. “You do not brim any c against him. my lord P" be said. door and helping the yohzig iady 'm alight. but I lost my dinner and my piper: in doing so.” “I was not hiding. I only took a. choke: {mm the storm. I tried to help you because the £00th was strik- gling with the horses. I do not claim my credit for simply opening a lacuaeu we runny temper. "1 will 00¢ 80 8W8! and let you 3817 which he could easily have secured. things "hid! are untrue. Listen *0 'His small stock 0! money, ridiculous- me, Mr. Policeman. Lord Vanstone 1y depleted by the generosity w‘th did close the door because he tbousht. which he met the open hints of the the caniase would turn over on top Zundemkers' assistants. barely aumced of him. For some reason the acciâ€" ; to keep him in food for a week. Then dent did 110‘ happen immediately, and lhe sought employment. but with each the boy ran round to the other side ' “in upper lip and mushty magnet. "Id helped me out just in “1118-" ence to success that he unknowingly "Confound the brat ! I think he turned those against him who would was the real cause of the whole ai- have assisted him. Nt- Why was be hiding in my 1100!“ For two days he was chosen to act way ?" as van boy for a parcel delivery firm. Lord Vanstone was more enraged He earned a few meals but in a fit of than ever by the (it?! obstinate de- aberration induced by the sight of a fence 01 her rescuer and her insist- lady who was dressed in a costume ence on his own seeming cowardice. similar to one he remembered his mo- “1 was not hiding. I only took a ther wearing at Dieppe. he allowed a shelter from the storm. Itried whelp ham to be stolen from the rear of the youbecansethefootman wasstrlfi- van. Thisprocuredhisinstant dis- gling with the horses. I do not missal, with threats. Then he sold claim any credit for simply opening a newspapers. only to find that every loorandhelpingtheyonnghdy to goodsitewasiealouslyguardedbya “I will not go away and let you say things which are untrue. Listen to me, Mr. Policemen. Lord Venstone did close the door became he thought the carriage would turn over on top of him. For some reason the acciâ€" I “My horses were startled by the fatnrm. I jumped out. and was en- deavoring to extricate my niece when this wretched boy got in the way.” “Unele,’ protested the girl, “you closed the door on me. and the boyâ€"" “Shut up !” he growled. curtly. “Go inside the house!" 1 But his niece shared with him at least one characteristic. She pom! sessed the family temper. “Whnt has happened ?" he demand ed. “Is anybody hurt?” in: with omcial blaster. Another vivid flash of lightning il- luminated the scene. It lit up the group with startling brilliancy. The boy, still somewhat shaken by the vi- cious blow. was nevertheless able to see clearly the pale. handsome. but disipated features of his enraged as- sailant. whose evening dress and im-‘ macualte linen were soiled by the«‘ black mud of the pavement. The‘ girl. dainty and fairy-like, a little! maid of aristocratic type. and of a! beauty that promised much in later! “Oh, uncle," she cried. “why did you strike him .9 He got me out of the carriage just before it turned over, He did, indeed!" nition of his timely Help, madego reply, but the girl protested vehem- ently. “You have saved my life !” said the girl .sweetly. and without any trace of nervousness which might naturally be expected after such a narrow escape from a serious accident. The boy noted that her eyes were large and blue. that she wore a great shining ornament in her hair, and that she appeared to be dressed in a somewhat fanciful manner. though the cloak she wore concealed the details. l The door of the mansion opened, and servants came running out. . Suddenly the boy received a violent‘ blow on the side of the head. ‘ “Confound you !” shouted the man? who had fallen on the pavement,' “why didn't you get out of the way when I told you ?“ i Over went the carriage with a tear- ‘ful crash. The ooachman managed to jump from the box into the road- way. He retained the reins and whip in his grasp, and now. losing his tem- per. lashed the struggling horses sav- agely. This oowed them, and they ceased their antics. The boy and girl found themselves standing on the sidewalk, close to the ruined vehicle. a girl of twelve or theta-bank; “ ed 911 in_ white. and wrapped in tn stock of unsold pnpers. He wrenched the other and shouted: “This way. Madam! Qu V*"Hada.m” was quick: She sprang riglgtjnpo big ums, and moved to be ’ Vâ€"w lelear. In doing so betripped over 'the newsboy and tell heavily to the pavement. The boy, quicker to note that the breaking of e pole had giv- en a momentary reap: . rushed into the roadway. thxowing may both me: cioua bun and still more amnion-i ‘riaee jammed mint the curb. A slight scrum come from the interior. Certain tht the vehicle would turn 0“” instantly, the m who had alighted slammed the door and sprung the A peel of thunder the: rattled the “She merely told th windows interrupted him. The two men was a liar.” gnu: reared end backed with one Refusing the proflerq rd. The plucky footmn, bulging boy turned on his hee onto the crossbar: of the bits, was man looked after him. lifted off his feet and banged violently ‘That’s a queer kid, against the pole. He m forced to “Talked like 8 regular let go, and fell. staggering backwards wonder why he is sellix some «yards before he dropped. There ltd?! He lost a bob’s fl er your wraps and jump out. On a night. like this these nervous bOY._ gstqyndgd byisuch recogo an the bundle at of iron and wood. ! Quick !" ed at Ludgate Circus; at Chen-ins Crounextdeyhewuhustledunder thewheehofanomnibuamdmm‘v- ly escaped death. 80 be was driven into the side streets and the quiet tweets end the quiet squares, in 'hidl Aiming a few days he man- Igodtoeemanavengeofeightpenoe daily. which he spent on food. Mnighthea-ept hack totho poortenementinJohnm’sHenhis block‘bme"nmidutthenolfitudeof a" and courage were mvailih; rvngdnst sheet numbers. His face In: still swollen and his ribs core as the re- Iu_lt 9! _being knocked down and kick- ’anency. Good-bye’ “Good-by, an’ luck to ye. Sure the looks mighty quars. 'Tis grief for his mother has turned his head en- tirely." No words could more clearly express Philip's condition than this friendly summing up. 8 ince his mother: but- ialhehsdbeenhaltdemented. His “I am awfully obliged to you ,but I could not touch a morsel. I am in a hurry.” “Are ye goin' a. journey ? Have ye a job ?” mu, go away wid ye. And be the powers. isn‘t the poor lad cowld an’ famiahed. Luke here. now. In five minutes I'm going to have a cup on uyâ€"J’ “Excellently,’ he said pay for it.” tale spunk an’ no mistake.” was his verdict when others said Philip we. proud and overbearing. O’Brien mov- ed thematically about the squalid shop. At last he found some portion of a clothesline. “Will that do ?" he inquired. Philip tested it with vigorous pull- ing against his knee. "Faix, I dunno. They use nails on the crates mostly nowadays. It I have a bit it’s at your service. I wouldn't be afther chargin’ the likes 0’ you." Philip's story was known in that humble locality, and the 'old aoldie sympathized with the boy. “He has I He trudged steadily away, through Queen Victoria Street, Comhill. Lead- enhall Street, and so on to Johnsma News. in the Mile End Road. Paus- ,ing at a Marine store dealer's shop, ‘ kept by an army pensioner. an Irish- man. with whom he had a slight ac- quaintance, he entrede. An elderly man was laboriously reading a paper on the preceding day's date. “Good-evening, Mr. O'Brien," he said. “Can you oblige me with a piee of rope ? I want a strong piece. about three or {our yards in length. I can only spare three halfpence.” ll It breath of a pair of van horses touch- ! ed his cheek while a speechless driver pulled them back onto their hench- Iea. Again. the olfwheel of an omni- Ibus actually grazed his heel as he {eyed behind the statue of Charles the I" (Continued on page 4.) At last he reached the comparative seclusion of the Embankment, and stood for a moment to gone at the swirling, glinting river. "Not here,” he muttered, aloud. “I must be nearer to mother -â€" deu- old mother ! She is there. waitimr for plunged through the-unrile‘x of. x;- hiclec without troubling to avoid them fin thg slighest degree. One the hot ed in his pockets, strode onward at a rapid pace. The lightning was less frequent now. and the thunder was dying away in sullen rumblings. He was wet and hungry. Yet. although he had three half-pence the remaining balance of the only sales eflected that evening. he passed many shops where he could have bought food. In Pineal-db. where the cessation o! thestormcreatedarushoftraflc. he was nearly run over, by reason of his own carelessness. and received a slash from a whip. accompanied by a loud oath -from an angrys cebman. He shiver-ed. but never even looked ar- wonder why he 1: selling papers. rclor lad! He lost a bob’a worth at least. and until thinks he got for it.” _ Planing out of the some bv the “She merely told the truth. The mun was a liar.” Befuning_ the ‘pmflemd penny. the newcomer. Personal strength anotherbunandbeofl. It‘vau good job to; you the young lady spoke the way she did.’ M so. It looks like :oment to sue at the Lug river. he muttered, aloud. “I r to mother -â€" deu- old is there. waiting for steadily away, through Street. Comm" 1”,}. nowadays. It I your service. I ' Chargin’ the likes L8 known in that Bank of Com ml William-n3. by the .5»;