largest owners
of real estate in Tacoma, besides having some thousands of dollars in a
San Francisco bank. But what good will it all do me? Here I am, sick,
and perhaps near death."

"I will do what I can for you," said Andy. "I am myself a visitor in
Tacoma. I came on business for a New York gentleman. I am authorized to
buy lots in Tacoma. When you are better, I will make you an offer for
your land, if you care to sell."

"Help me to get well, and you shall have it on your own terms."

"You will need some one besides myself. Do you authorize me to hire an
attendant?"

"Yes, I shall be glad to have you do so. I begin to hope for recovery,
through your assistance. I had given myself up for lost."

"Then I will go out and see what I can do. Do you authorize me to pay
liberally for the service of a nurse?"

"Pay anything--fifty dollars a week, if necessary; I can afford it."

"I will go out at once. I will see if I can buy some oranges."

Andy left the hotel and walked toward the steamboat wharf. It was
deserted, except by two persons.

A young man of thirty, bronzed by exposure to the weather, who looked
like a farmer, stood beside a plain, cheap trunk, on which sat a woman
somewhat younger, who had a weary and anxious look.

The young man--her husband, doubtless--seemed troubled.

"Good-afternoon," said Andy, pleasantly. "Are you in any trouble? Is
there anything I can do for you?"

"Well, my boy, I'm in a tight place. I came here from Iowa, with my
wife, expecting to meet a cousin who had promised to get me employment.
I find he has left Tacoma. So here I am, with less than five dollars in
my pocket and no prospect of work. I'm not a coward, but I don't mind
saying I'm afraid to think of what will become of us."

An idea came to Andy.

Here was a chance to secure a nurse.

"Is your wife used to sickness?" he asked. "Could she take care of a
sick man?"

The woman brightened up.

"I took care of my father for a year," she answered. "I'm a middlin'
good nurse."

"She's the best nurse I know of," put in her husband.

"All right! Then I can find you employment. An acquaintance of mine, an
old man--as old, probably, as your father--is sick with grip at the
Tacoma House. He will pay you liberally. Can you come with me at once?"

"Yes, and be glad to."

"Come, then. You will be paid twenty-five dollars a week."

"Why that's a fortune!" said the woman, amazed.

"Come with me at once, and your husba