The Hero of Hill House

friend, and this young man had showed him kindness, and a way out of his difficulty. He kept promising himself that only this once would he be guilty o

became painfully aware that the journey would not be taken in comfort. A strong wind was blowing and, after the rainy spell, it had turned cold. None of the boys had heavy coats, and the wind cut them through and through. It seemed to Austin that he would

omforts was the mental con

their circumstances, for he had seen many of their kind, and directed them to the auditorium in the city park as the most likely place they would find. This building had been made for the convenience of public speaking, not for a dormitory, and was a very poor place to stay on a cold night. It had walls on only the east and north, but afforded a shelter from the force of the cold north wind. The boys had no bedding, and had to keep themselves warm by building small fires of the leaves and sticks they could pick up in the dark, and by walking. It seemed to Austin

ot made his heart ache. He longed to tell the kind man all his troubles but had no opportunity, for his companion led all the conversation telling the farmer and his boys a long and brilliant tale of his travels. He

his plans upon, his companion evidently contented with his vagabond life. Night found them in a

hemselves. But the young man was inclined to talk and told the Captain how he had been converted in an Army meeting two nights before and what a glorious experience it was. Austin looked at him in astonishment and disgust. He knew now what kind of

breakfast, good Captain Albright took them into his front room and read and pray

e to work, and you had better get something to do and stay with it and make men of yourselves.

opportunity for conversation. All the morning he had been trying to get a chance to explain himself and get help from

d to this kind of life and I do not like it

n with us till you can find something. H

sed to send me money and help me if I ever needed help, but a

s until you can hear from him, and I advi

ave him and hurriedly wrote his cry of distress and got it into the morning mail. His heart was now light, and he expected a repl

of Austin. This puzzled Austin somewhat, but feeling certain it was meant for him, he

elp you." Austin was perplexed and not at all pleased. He did not wish to try any more penniless traveling. Three d

ted, he helped Captain Albright as much as he could. The Army people were making ready for their Christmas celebration, and found plenty for Austin's willing hands to do. Much food and old clothing had been donated to the Captain for distribution among the poor, and to Austin was given the task of gath

, and the message was signed by his uncle. Joy almost to distraction fil

r the entertainment, but he could not wait now that his message had come. Captain Albright had been sorry for A

wise in traveling and believed he could not get into anything out of which there would be no escape; so if he could once get on the fast train, he would trust luck to get him off. Dodging past the gatekeeper, he boarded this train. The conductor told him the tra