ather
patted contentedly the head of the young man, as a parent fondly
caresses a child. They were in that position when Lucy tapped lightly on
the door, opened it, and came in.

CHAPTER XVI.

Chester got away from Lucy and Uncle Gilbert that morning, without
betraying his father's secret, which had now also become his own. If his
father had kept the secret so long, it was evidently for a purpose; he
would try not to be the first to reveal it. He kissed Lucy somewhat
hurriedly, she thought, as he left.

The sooner he got away the fewer of his strange actions he would have to
explain. He did not look back when he walked away for fear that Lucy
would be watching him from window or door.

He went back to his own lodgings rather more by instinct than by
thought. He slipped into his room, looked aimlessly about, then went out
again. He must be alone, yet not confined within walls. The park was not
far away, but he walked by it also, on, on. This London is limitless, he
thought. One could never escape it by walking. He met other men some
hurrying as if stern duty called, others sauntering as if they had no
purpose in life but quiet contemplation. He met women, and if he could
have read through their weary eyes their life's story, he would not
perhaps, have thought his own was the most cruel. A little boy was
gathering dust from the pavement, and Chester was reminded of that other
little fellow's structure which the carriage wheels had demolished.
Well, he was under the wheel of fate himself. He had heard of this
wheel, but never had he been under it until now!

Chester found himself a street or two from the mission office. He would
call and perhaps have a talk with Elder Malby. Why had he not thought of
that sooner? He quickened his steps, and in a few minutes he was ringing
the bell. He heard it tingle within, but no one responded. He rang
again, and this time steps were heard coming up from the basement. The
housekeeper opened the door.

"Good morning," she greeted him with a smile.

"Good morning, is Elder Malby in?"

"No; none of the elders are in. They are out tracting, I think--but
won't you come in?"

"No, thank you, I wanted to see Elder Malby."

"Well, _he_ might be back at any time--come in and rest. You look
tired."

"Well--I believe I will."

He followed the motherly housekeeper into the office parlor, where she
bade him be seated. She excused herself as her work could not be
neglected--Wo