newsboy turned back to the boy whose eyes had expressed so
much sympathy.

Bertie asked his papa if it would be too much trouble to change seats,
and then he asked,--

"Do you sell many papers?"

"Sometimes."

"What do you do with the money?"

"I give it to mother. It doesn't half support us, though, and now
she's going to die."

As the newsboy said this, a great sob seemed to choke him. Mr. Curtis,
whose eyes were fixed full on his face, saw the little fellow
resolutely suppress his emotion, and his sympathies were enlisted at
once.

"Where does your mother live?" he inquired.

"Close by the depot in the city."

"Go and sell all the papers you can, and then come back here."

"Yes, sir," with a grateful glance at Bertie.

The cars, however, had run into the depot, and the passengers were
beginning to alight, before they saw anything more of the newsboy.
Bertie was begging his father to wait a little longer, when some one
touched his arm; and there was the boy struggling up from behind.

"I've sold 'em all," he began, eagerly.

"Show me where your mother lives," Mr. Curtis said, when they stepped
to the platform.

"Yes, sir."

These were all the words spoken, but a beautiful ray of gratitude shot
from the poor boy's eyes.

CHAPTER XIV.

BERTIE AND THE NEWSBOY.

A few steps brought them to an old block, where their young guide
stopped.

"May I run in and tell mother you're coming. She's so very sick, sir."

"Yes, but be as quick as you can. I must catch the next train to
E----"

Before they had time to miss him, the boy returned, his face very,
very sad.

Bertie instinctively caught his hand, as they followed him to the
humble chamber.

A woman lay there in the last stages of consumption. On a table near
her was a cup, a tumbler, and a spoon, all empty.

"You are in distress," said Mr. Curtis, in a soothing tone; "tell me
what you need."

"Nothing for myself. I shall soon be where want and sorrow shall
never enter; but it is hard to leave my boy alone."

"Is he your only child?"

"The only one left of five. He will soon be an orphan."

Mr. Curtis stood a moment gazing about as if trying to judge from the
surroundings something of the character of the inmates, when he caught
a glimpse of Bertie.

The boy's eyes were fixed on his face with such an eager, wistful
gaze, as if he wondered his father did not offer relief, that he
resolved at once to befriend the orphan.

"Yo