Part 47 (2/2)
Then the heart of the young auctioneer seeed man on the pavement outside was _his father_!
With a sharp cry that startled every one in the establisharments he held and made a rush for the door At the salimpse of Matt's face, put up both his hands to his forehead and sped up the street as if running for his life!
”What's thefellow?”
”What's the matter with the man?”
”Say, co?”
These and a score of other cries rang out in quick succession But Matt paid no attention, nor did he stop to offer any explanation to the astonished clothing salesman He had seen his father, his father for who and so earnestly! He could tell that face, as haggard and white as it was, a a million
Away sped theas he had never run before He could not understand why his parent should thus try to get away from him But he did not stop to reason on the matter He wanted to reach his father, that was all, and he strained every h Matt was a good runner, the man he was after appeared well able to keep beyond his reach Evidently soed him on, for many times he would look back over his shoulder, and each tiht from his brain and memory
Soon several blocks had been passed, and then the man turned a corner, and started toward the poorer section of the city Matt continued to follow for half a dozen blocks further Then he saw his father dart into the open hallway of a half-tu the young auctioneer peered into the hallway, but could see no one Several little girls were playing upon the sidewalk, and he asked theo in
”Crazy Will just went in,” replied one of the girls ”Guess he has gone up to his rooarret”
”Crazy Will!” murmured Matt to himself ”Poor father! How thankful I a with emotion, he hurried up the rickety stairs until he reached the door of the apartirls pointed out as that occupied by Crazy Will
CHAPTER xxxIX
A MYSTERY CLEARED UP
The door of the garret room was closed, and when Matt tried the knob, he found that it was also locked He knocked lightly upon it
At first there was no response Then a weak voice, which he could but faintly recognize as that of his father, asked sharply:
”Who's there? What do you want? Why don't you go away and leave me alone?”
”Father! father! co as it had never trembled before
”Who speaks? Go away, I say, and leave a poor old man alone!”
”Father, it is me, Matt! Don't you remember me?”
”Matt! Matt! Oh, no, Matt was lost when his mother was lost and the money! Yes, the money, mother, and Matt! Too bad! Go away, and don't persecute me!”