All in a garden fair; the simple story of three boys ... - University Library

ALL L\ A GARDES FAIR. 87
' Why, mother,' he said, ' if it distresses you,
do not tell me.'
' It is about your father,' she cried. ' Oh !
Allen—Allen—I must tell you about your
father at last.'
' But I know, mother, without your telling.
He failed in business, and he died, and we have
been very poor ever since. You see, I know.
But never mind, I will make you rich again.'
' ! No ' she said, bursting into fresh tears.
'There is a great deal more. The worst
remains to be told. Listen, Allen. He had a
partner— a man named Stephens—Engledew
and Stephens was the Firm, with offices in
Laburnum Court, Threadneedle Street. I knew
John Stephens before I knew your father.
Yes ; I knew John when we were boy and
girl together, and before he became a bad man.
Sometimes I think that he did it out of revenge
when he did it, because he asked me once to
marry him, and I refused. I5ut he went on
being friendly, and I never sus[)ected— never.
A bad man—a bad man.'