aded and promised faithfully never to touch the drink again. No,
no, father did not get drunk very often, only once in a while, and he
was never cross or ugly. He was the kindest and best of fathers only he
drank a little just once in a while. Wouldn't Miss Horton please;
please, say a word for father and get them to take him back? Miss
Horton hesitated for a moment, looked into the eyes so like Richard's,
then promised that she would.

She certainly kept her promise and said, not one word, but many, in her
efforts to have Marie's father reinstated in his former position. The
man was a stranger to her, she had never seen him, never even heard his
name before, but for Marie's sake she pleaded his cause most earnestly.
The same reply met her every turn:

"Not a better man in the place when he was sober, the very best worker
we've got. But just when we're busiest and need him most, off he goes
and gets drunk. Not so very often, oh! no, but always when he's needed
most. We've forgiven him time again, but he's had his last chance. We'll
not take him back."

Jane had even appealed to the president himself, but the appeal was
useless. He never interfered in such matters, left them entirely to the
department heads.

The eyes like Richard's filled with tears as Marie was told of the utter
failure of all appeals. The pale face grew paler day by day and the thin
figure drooped wearily. Jane had, more than once, offered pecuniary
help, which had been gently but firmly refused. They'd manage somehow,
Marie thought, until Jackie was well again and able to help, though it
was hard to feed so many on just one girl's pay. If they would only take
father back, that was all the help she needed; just for them to take
father back. He'd not touched a drop now for six months and vowed he
never would again. He'd taken the pledge and was making the First
Fridays. He'd not missed one since he began five months ago, and oh! if
they'd only give him one more chance. That's what father said himself,
that's all he wanted, just one more chance to make good. He meant it
this time, too, Marie was quite sure of that. If they'd only give him
that one chance he'd make the most of it.

Jane Horton had promised to make one more attempt and she is now
carrying to Marie the good news that her efforts have been crowned with
success.

Following the directions given her, she passes from the broad,
well-lighted streets to smaller, darker ones. Finally she tu