"Go over and speak to him," suggested Chester.

 

"Come with me, then."

 

The two boys crossed the street and intercepted¹ the man from Portland. He was of medium height, with dark hair, and had a brisk, Western way with him.

 

"Don't you remember me, Mr. Wilson?" said Edward.

 

"What! Edward Granger?" ejaculated the Oregonian. "Well, I am glad to see you. Didn't know what had become of you. Are you living here?"

 

"Yes, sir. Let me introduce my friend, Chester Rand."

 

"Glad to meet you, Mr. Rand," said Wilson, heartily². "So you are a friend of Edward's."

 

"Indeed he is, an excellent friend!" exclaimed young Granger. "Have you—seen my mother lately?"

 

"Come over to my hotel and I'll answer all your questions. I'm stopping at the Continental³, on the next block."

 

"All right! Will you come, Chester?"

 

"Yes; I shall be glad to."

 

They were soon sitting in the office of the Continental Hotel, at the corner of Broadway and Twentieth Street.

 

"Now I'll answer your questions," said Nathaniel Wilson. "Yes, I saw your mother the day before I set out."

 

"And is she well?" asked Edward, anxiously.

 

"She was looking somewhat careworn⁴. She probably misses you."

 

"She never writes to me," said Edward, bitterly.

 

"It may be because she doesn't know your address. Then your stepfather keeps her prejudiced against you."

 

"I suppose there is no change in him?"

 

"No; except that he is drinking harder than ever. His business is against him, though he would drink even if he didn't keep a saloon."

 

"Does he treat my mother well?"

 

"I think he does. I have never heard anything to the contrary. You see, he wouldn't dare to do otherwise, as your mother has the property, and he wants to keep in with her in order to get a share."

分享到：