Bressant

But the boy was not to be so easily got rid of. He almost immediately

turned round in his seat, and directed a steadfast gaze out of his gray

eyes at Bressant's reclining figure. Presently, he pronounced, in a low

voice, yet which was distinctly audible to the deaf man's ears, two

words, the effect of which was to make the other start up in his seat,

and stare about him in amazement and alarm.

The boy met his glance with great calmness and gentleness, and held out

his hand as if to grasp Bressant's.

"Was it you?" exclaimed the latter, bewildered. "How did you know that

name, and who are you?" As he spoke, he mechanically took the extended

hand in his own.

"Why, don't you know me?" answered the boy, smiling, and, at the same

time, drawing him, by a slight but decided traction, to sit down by him.

"Me--your best friend?"

Something in the voice, something in the manner, and in the expression

of the eyes, but, most of all, the smile, seemed strangely familiar to

Bressant. The touch of the hand, too, he thought be recognized--it

soothed and yet controlled him. Still, he was unable to recall exactly

who the boy was, or where he had seen him before.

"I've had so much to think of lately," murmured he, partly to himself,

partly by way of excusing his forgetfulness, passing his hand over his

forehead.

"Yes, indeed!" returned the latter, in a tone of tender sympathy, that

vibrated gratefully along Bressant's nerves. "But we know each other,

and we are friends--that is enough."

"How strange that I should meet you here, and at such a time!" said

Bressant, musingly. And he wondered at himself for feeling glad, instead

of sorry, that the encounter should have taken place. But the boy looked

up in surprise.

"Strange? No! I'm sure it's the most natural thing in the world. How

could it have happened otherwise? Should I have been your friend if I

had failed you now?"

"But do you know every thing?" Bressant demanded--less, however, because

he doubted that it should be so than as wishing to receive full

assurance thereof. "Do you know all that has happened during these last

six months, and yet are willing to be with me and speak to me?"

"It has been a terrible time, to be sure," said the boy, sadly; "you

should have kept your promise and come to me at your first trouble. It

might have saved you from a great deal. And yet I can see how, in the

end, it may all be for the best."

Bressant shook his head dejectedly. "I've lost what I never can regain!"

said he, "and there are three stains--falsehood, dishonor, and

treachery--that never can be washed out."