did worry over it tremendously. He had never known
anything in all his experience that affected him so profoundly. And in
his next letter home, without hinting to Bauer of his intention, he
sounded his father as to ways and means for helping Bauer at this crisis
in his life.

"Isn't there some one in Milton who would be interested enough in Bauer
to help send him out to Arizona? The doctor says it's his only chance.
And he's pretty hard hit. Think of losing $4,500 at one fell swoop, and
by his own father too. And I advised the business relation between them.
Of course we had no idea that the matter would turn out as it has but
that doesn't change the fact. As near as I can figure, it will cost at
least three hundred dollars to get Bauer out to Arizona, pay for his
board and room and keep him there a year. He isn't a member of any
church and Dr. Howard of the Congregational Church here in Burrton said
a few Sundays ago that his people must make a special effort to raise
the money to care for several needed cases of their own, so I don't feel
like going to him with Bauer's story right now. And besides, I don't
believe Bauer would take church help. He's awfully proud and while he
doesn't say much about his trouble and pretends to take it easy, I can
see he is pretty hard hit. And who wouldn't be, to lose $4,500 at one
clip and at the same time realise that he's got consumption. I tell you
it strikes me as pretty hard lines for poor Bauer. The worst of it is
this mess about his father. That seems awful. And there isn't anyone
more affectionate and dependent than Bauer. That's the reason he took up
with me, because he had to have someone. He doesn't know I'm writing
this sort of a letter about him, if he did he'd object, but I feel as if
something ought to be done. Perhaps you and mother can think out some
plan to help him. If I could see some way to cut down my expenses here I
would do it and put in my little to help. But I'm living as close to the
line as I can. The school is expensive and I don't know what I can do
until I get out and begin to make instead of mar dollars."

Paul took this letter to Esther. And it happened that while he was
reading it to her, Helen came in. Paul stopped reading and looked at
Esther.

"It's all right. Let Helen hear it. I'm sure Walter meant it for a
family letter."

They were all shocked at the news. And Helen seemed even more moved by
the letter than her father and mother, though she