"Suppose you were in my case," said he, "how would you act?"

"I am not. How can I tell?" was Summerman's prudent answer.

These words, as indeed any words that he could have spoken, were the best
that Redman Rush could hear; for now he was leaning with the whole weight
of his moral nature on the life of this strong-hearted, true-hearted
organist. He liked the unpresuming, modest, generous word.

"I'll tell you what you would be," said he, quickly. "A month ago worth
half a million--to-day not a cent. Brought up like a fool, you would
probably be one. Turned out of house, helpless as a baby. You have
yourself--master of your wits and your hands. Look at these hands! And all
my wits can advise me is, this life isn't worth the keeping."

"Oh, no; not to-day! They don't say that to-day!" exclaimed Summerman,
speaking as if he knew. And he ventured further, boldly: "They advise you,
go home to your wife and your child; live for them and yourself, and God's
honor."

"Wife--child!" repeated Rush; and he blushed when he added; "you read
fortunes. Your pardon."

"I saw it in your face," said the organist, quietly. "When you looked at
our little Mary, I believed you were thinking of some other little child.
And it reminded you of some other young lady, when I told you what I
expected once. If it hadn't been for them, you would never have thought of
destroying yourself; and I'm sure, on their account, what you ought to ask
and hope is, that your life may be spared."

It is said that drowning men will grasp at straws. This elegant stranger,
who had emerged from mystery to disturb the Christmas day of a humble
organist, now leaned on the friendly arm of the little man, walking along
with him, _not_ as he once sauntered through the promenade, a butterfly
disdaining all but the brightest of sunbeams, the sweetest of flowers.
Poor worm! he was half frozen in this wintry brightness, this exhilarating
atmosphere, in which Summerman throve so well.

"Are all the men that are born in woods and meadows, and brought up
tinkers, like you?" he asked.

"No," answered Summerman. "Some turn out fools, and some knaves, and some
ten times better men and wiser men, than I shall ever be."

"Like the rest of the world. Are men, men everywhere?"

"Pretty much. You talk about your wits. You were made to do a bigger
business than I shall ever do. Go home and begin it. I've a mind to go
with you, so you shan't lose your way."

"You know the