But Bob’s fears regarding Herbert proved groundless, for in a little time the latter joined him with a light heart, made happy by the very kind reception given him at Mr. Goldwin’s.
On his way home his mind was filled with the vision of a sweet young face, which to him was an inspiration. And as he hurried along the avenue, thinking faster and faster, what charming pictures his imagination brought before him—pictures that for him possessed a strange and peculiar attraction. But these beautiful creations of his mind were quickly lost to him when he saw the troubled look on young Bob Hunter’s face.
“Why, Bob,” said he, “what makes you look so wretched? What has happened?”
The latter quickly related the story of Tom’s sickness, and stated his own fears.
“I cannot realize it, Bob,” said Herbert, deeply touched. “Poor Tom! let us go at once and do whatever we can for him.”
“That’s right, Herbert; that’s what I think we ought to do, and I shouldn’t come home at all only I knew you would not know what had become of me,” replied Bob, as they put on their overcoats and started for Mrs. Flannery’s humble home.
CHAPTER XXVI.
A CRASH IN WALL STREET.