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5R5SS555S8SSPSH
Paul placed the little child la
charge of a distant spinster relative.
He planned to go west and seek in
new work forgetfulness of his past
gloomy experiences. Then the whole
current of his career was changed by
a somewhat remarkable occurrence.
A young merchant in the town
came to him one day. He was only
a .casual acquaintance, but he had
been always pleasant and friendly
with Paul.
"See Here, Rivers," be said, in a
free, open manner, "I've got a propo
sition to-make to you. It's along the
line of business."
"I had about made, up my mind to
try a new- field," responded Paul.
'Tes, I heard of that-4hinking of
going out' west, wsrent you:? Well,
I'm going to try and head yon off.
Here'a thepropo3itloji: rye beeh do
ing some- business in thq -mercantile
line Jiere in a.small wajj. A party
has jcome f qrward who offers to fur
nish' large tspital to; expand the busi
ness. I've known tor a long" time of
your former experience and ability,.
Now then, why doa't you capitalize
it? You have been grubbing along
on thaikHttle place-jof.yeurs', earning
a mergOliving. I waigjiypu to join
me." . v-
"As an eaptoyjjjKk,',
"No, asaSpartaer,V' && -
Paul was astonished. As his- vis
itor went on in detail as to his-prospects
and plans there came to the
lonely widower something of his old
time ambition. The proposition was
plain and practicable, Jt JftfQlyed.
large quarters, xteasive adypi8ng;
efficient management
Many a time, during a period of -remarkable
business success, Paul Riv
ers thought with jtegret-of that poverty-harassed
period of his life when;
he had craved comforts for the dying
woman byhis side he could not af
ford to purchase. Money flowejd in
to the new Urm. At the- end of ihe
fourth year Paul was practically in-r
dependent.
The business so expanded ifcat lie.
m.
was obliged to go abroad once & year
to buy goods. It ,was on his return "
from such a trip that Ids partner,
after the usual warm, friendly greet-
ings, said somewhat seriously:. of '
"I have some bad news for you;,,
Rivers. Your relative who Jiad chargajwj
of your little daughter died durfngsl
your absence." ' .
"And Adeline?" inuired Paut&nxr.2n
iously, ( !.. 9
"I hardly knew what to dab6utT
her," explained his partner. "ifosrh
ever there appeared upon the swiie
a Mrs. Iryttieton, who reside, at
Taunton. She offered to take cT&rge.
of the child until your return.. l)
foundthat she was an stimabltedyl
of wealth and social standiagjand
have received letters from Mrsrlt--tleton
weekly, reporting her little
charge contented and happy,' I
Taunton! A slight sense Qfrsadr?
ness momentarily clouded tbeliilndt
Ut iHUi. XJ-1C UOIUC VJL uiaL LUHJJl
wnere ne oau arst met jiaoise eg
naturally awakened poignant
ries. The next dav he went 1
' - - - '- r-fr- ivwj
his little daughter. As he nearedifce '
residence of Mrs, Lyttleton he hs
covered it to be one of the finB&f isb
the place. ? ,,
In the garden under a leafy sHmer;
were three persons "two ladiepPkndr
little Adeline. The lattei was girt ed;
in the lap of one of the. ladies? rhef
head reclining trustingly upoftAer1
shoulder as a fairy tale wasTJejing
told to her. . ,"? :
'Hloise Miss Esmond!" brtfitfisd,
Paul with a thrill. "What can InS'bet
dome here?" and then, his entrance
through the gateway was disco'vred.
Dy tftue AO?une, wno Douna
ously forward to meet him.
"Oh, papa! I have' bees so
here," she prattled, "so very
with, dear, dear Annty Eloise,
with us all of the time."
Stately, reserved, but her dee
eyes magnetic and beautiful
yore, Miss Esmond greeted hefeJcF
time friend graciously. Hers "V t
superp palm as she told franklJhat.j
KF-
Bflfu'
rmat
