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mused Hudson. "The animal wishes
me to gp with him. Why? Where?"
To the strange persistency of the
collie Hudson gave attention now.
The animal released his hold of the
coat the moment- Hudson changed
his course. Now, quite animated and
wagging his tail in a satifled way, the
dpg trotted ahead of Hudsonv.
"Our canine friend seemB to have
some uBe, for me, I see, and I'll follow
the adventure' to the end," decided
Hudson.
It pleased his fancy and it made
Hudson forget his hjinger, for he was
hungry. He was neither discouraged
nor hopeless. His was too bright a
spirit for that He had come trpm a
country town, &n orphan, .with only
a brief 'experience as a clerk in a
local general store, and had for two
monthB 'found a position in. a city
business place. The firm had failed."
Since then, with empty pockets, the
daily program had been a quest for
new employment
-Bad as the situation was, Hudson
had inherited from It a most pleas
ing memory. It was one of Hazel
Ross. She had worked in the same
.office. She had liked him, seemed to
have few friends, and -there was an
, undertone of sadness in her life that
'made Hudson believe she was under
the stress of trouble or sorrow,. He
had however, never intruded on this,
although a mutual confidence and
interest had grown up between them.
Then the break In employment' put
,an end to their pleasant companion
ship. The sweet, patient face of Hazel
Ross, her gentle guiding ways, had
made a better man of bim. They Jiad
inspired the, hope that some day he
might reach the crest of fortune and
ask her to share life's experience
withtim.
After a steady progress of over a
mile the dog turned into an unfenced
lot in a poor neighborhood. In its
center stood the wreck of a once pre
ventions mansion. The upper win
dows were protected by closed iron.
shutters. Below, closed inside blind
shut out the merest view beyond the,
old fl.nd"dismantled window frames
Everything suggested deejay and dis5
use. .
The dog led the way to a doorless
entrance to the cellar. Its dimness
caused Hudson to cautiously grope?
his way. His guide- ascended aJligh
of steps and passed down a damp):
dismal hall, halting at a closeddoor?
The animal looked up into Hudson's
face. 1
"He has done his part Does mine
lead beyond that door?" Hudsot?
questioned himself. 3
The animal grew Impatient, lifteft
,'a paw and noiselessly tapped at the
closed door: Hudson leaned forwarfl
and listened intently. ?
"Help!" - 1
The utterance was weak, but wa
j freighted with agony. Hudson pushed?
open. the door. Upon a couch in af
corner-of the room lay a helpess, Ca
daverous old man. His eyes lightetf
'up with relief- and eagerness at the
; appeartfnee of Hudson,
"Water, food, heat!" he uttered
weakly. "Three days unable to move1
And the terrible fever! I could not
move even to get to the window ttf
call for aid." 1
Incoherently the old man babbled
for the situation. Living alone had
brought the penalty of- an almost
fatal isolation. Hudson explained
his Incidental, appearance on the.
scene. The old man feebly patted
the head of his loyaTanimal friend.
"Water, food, heat!" The old man
had pointed to a rear room and Hud
son was soon busy about the little'
kitchen. Within two hours he had
Gabriel Rushton comfortable. With
in two more he had the confidence of
the recluse, whom he had reached
Just in time. :
"I was robbed, deserted by the
false-hearted nephew who induced
me to send away the child of an old
friend" whom I had adopted," narrat
de Rushtoh. "He led me to believe
She.was not loyal, and hoped for mf
