est," he added, by way of explanation, "and our son's accounts of
his experience came to us by letter. Besides, we read much of that
disaster in the papers."

"It was awful," said Derrick, simply.

"Then you were in the village at the time? Perhaps you know a brave
young fellow named Derrick Sterling?"

A quick flush spread over the boy's face as he answered, "That is my
name."

"What!" exclaimed the gentleman; "are you the young man who went back
into the mine and risked his life to save a friend?"

"I expect I am," answered Derrick, with burning cheeks; "and this is the
friend I went to find."

"Well, of all wonderful things!" cried the stranger. "To think that we
should meet you of all persons. Wife, this is Derrick Sterling, the
brave lad that Allan wrote to us about, and whose name has been so much
in the papers lately."

"You don't mean to say," exclaimed Derrick, "that you are Allan
McClain's father?"

"I am," answered the gentleman; "and this is his mother. We are both
very proud to make the acquaintance of the Derrick Sterling of whom our
boy writes that he is proud to call him friend."

Paul received an almost equal share of attention with Derrick; and
during the rest of the journey their new-found friends did everything in
their power to make the time pass quickly and pleasantly to them.

Both Mr. and Mrs. McClain gave the boys an urgent invitation to make
their house their home, at least until they selected a boarding-place,
and were greatly disappointed to learn that this was already provided
for them.

Nothing could exceed Allan McClain's amazement when, upon meeting his
parents at the railway-station in Philadelphia, he found them in
company, and apparently upon terms of intimate acquaintance, with two of
his friends from the Raven Brook Colliery. He was delighted to learn
that Derrick and Paul had come to the city to live, and promised to call
the next day and arrange all sorts of plans with them.

Mr. Halford, who was also at the station, was almost equally surprised
to see them with the McClains, who, he afterwards told Derrick, were
among the best families in the city. His carriage was at the station,
and in a few minutes more the two boys, who but a short time before had
been only poor colliery lads, were ushered into a handsome house, where
Mrs. Halford and Miss Nellie were waiting to give them a cordial
welcome.

Two days later they were established in pleasant rooms of their own,