“‘Oh, then⸺’
“The words were stopped by the sound of a key in the lock and the little girl running toward the door, shouting, ‘Oh, it’s papa, I know, for he said he’d come home to-night.’
“How my heart bounded to think I could say some encouraging word to that husband and father; my lips were shaped ready to speak my thoughts when the child came into the room aglow and excited, trying to tell what a good lady had done. I suppose I should have fainted when I looked up and saw the Prof., but I didn’t. I arose and extended my hand, saying to the little girl as I drew her to me with my left arm, ‘and this is your papa,’ well, I am glad, so glad that I waited until you came, Mr. Rig; ‘Riggles,’ he stammered, as it slowly dawned upon him that I did not mean to disclose the truth.
“I arranged to meet him the next day and assist him in procuring a position. We met; I told him a few things; the fourth day after, I went to his home in my own carriage, took his wife and child to my erstwhile flat, explained to them that he had secured the position and could afford them a better home.
“That was the last ride I ever took in my own private carriage. I sold my horses, carriage, all my jewelry and many fine gowns, placed the proceeds where Mrs. Riggles could draw a fixed sum weekly, then I sailed for Europe. But a star in America is not always a star in a foreign country. I stuck it out three years and then returned.
“Riggles? Oh, well, his wife died, he took up with Dollie Squires again, and a double suicide in a Clark street resort put an end to his career along with Dollie’s.
“The little girl? She grew up sweet like her mother; she is in a convent now, be out soon, then my work is done.”
TALE SEVENTEEN.
A TRIP ACROSS THE LAKE.
“When Happiness comes knocking at my door,