"It is a sad story. Was your sister never found?"
"No, sir."
"Nor any clew to the mystery gained?"
"Nothing of any importance, sir. It was suspected that her nurse had something to do with the affair, and she was shadowed for a long time. But nothing was ever learned."
"I can sympathize with your poor father and mother, my boy," said the mayor, with more emotion than Al had seen him manifest before. "I can understand his feelings. But the depth of a mother's love is something we of the grosser sex cannot ever quite comprehend. I suppose your mother has never entirely recovered from the blow."
"She never has, Mr. Anderson; and it is in the hope that I may help her to do so that I have taken this engagement with Mr. Wattles' company."
CHAPTER XI.
IN PERIL.
The mayor stared at Al.
"You have taken this engagement for your mother's sake?" he said. "I don't understand."