They thought that I did it."
"Did what?"
And again the boy shut his lips.
"Listen, Samuel," pleaded the other. "You know that I am Bertie's
cousin. And he's all alone. And I'm responsible for him--"
"Oh, Miss Gladys!" cried the boy. "If you only would try to help him!
I meant to ask you--"
"But how can I help him if you keep me in ignorance?"
And so Samuel blurted out the whole story. And Miss Gladys sat dumb
with horror. "She killed herself! She killed herself!" she gasped
again and again.
"Yes, Miss Gladys," said Samuel. "And it was awful! You can't imagine
it!"
"I read of the suicide in the paper. But I never dreamed of Bertie!"
There was a moment's pause. "It must be a dreadful thing for him to
have on his conscience"--began the boy.
"He must have been frightened to death!" said she. And then she added
quickly, "Samuel, you haven't told anyone about this!"
"Not a soul, Miss Gladys."
"You are sure?"
"I'm sure, ma'am."
"You didn't tell Dr. Vince?"
"I just told him that I had left because Master Albert got drunk, Miss
Gladys. That was the truth."
"Yes," said she; and then, "You always tell the truth, don't you,
Samuel?"
"I try to," he replied.
"You are very good, aren't you?" she added.
Samuel blushed. "No," he said gravely. "I'm not good at all."
The other looked at him for a moment, and then a smile crossed her
face.
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