now about me? I don't know what to think; now that I am not your son I
cannot rest till I learn who I am."

"I can understand your feelings, Frank, but I must defer the explanation
till to-morrow. I have fatigued myself with talking, but to-morrow you
shall know all that I can tell you."

"Forgive me for not thinking of your being tired, mother," and he bent
over and pressed his lips upon the cheek of the sick woman. "But don't
talk any more. Wait till to-morrow."

In the afternoon Frank had a call from Sam Pomeroy.

"The club is to play to-morrow afternoon against a picked nine, Frank,"
he said. "Will you be there?"

"I can't, Sam," he answered. "My mother is very sick, and it is my duty
to stay at home with her."

"We shall miss you--that is, all of us but one. Tom Pinkerton said
yesterday that you ought to resign, as you can't attend to your duties.
He wouldn't object to filling your place, I fancy."

"He is welcome to the place as soon as the club feels like electing
him," said Frank. "Tell the boys I am sorry I can't be on hand. They had
better get you to fill my place."

"I'll mention it, but I don't think they'll see it in that light.
They're all jealous of my superior playing," said Sam, humorously.
"Well, good-bye, Frank. I hope your mother'll be better soon."

"Thank you, Sam," answered Frank, soberly. "I hope so, too, but she is
very sick."

The next day Mrs. Fowler again called Frank to the bedside.

"Grace is gone out on an errand," she said, "and I can find no better
time for telling you what I know about you and the circumstances which
led to my assuming the charge of you."

"Are you strong enough, mother?"

"Yes, Frank. Thirteen years ago my husband and myself occupied a
small tenement in that part of Brooklyn know as Gowanus, not far from
Greenwood Cemetery. My husband was a carpenter, and though his wages
were small he was generally employed. We had been married three years,
but had no children of our own. Our expenses were small, and we got on
comfortably, and should have continued to do so, but that Mr. Fowler
met with an accident which partially disabled him. He fell from a high
scaffold and broke his arm. This was set and he was soon able to work
again, but he must also have met with some internal injury, for his full
strength never returned. Half a day's work tired him more than a
whole day's work formerly had done. Of course our income was very much
diminished, and we were obliged