“I’m going to see Biddy Roan to-morrow,” said he to himself as he went along and picked out the familiar landmarks. “She will be glad to see me for my mother’s sake. Poor mother, you never knew that your boy would make his way about the world like that. I wonder whatever became of the kid and the cove that saved her. That was a plucky piece of business on his part. I’d like to shake hands again just for the sake of old times.” Saying this, the man entered some of the Bowery saloons which he had long ago visited and sat for some hours pouring the whiskey into his stomach. * * * * * Now Tom Cooper had come home. His heart was singing in his breast, for had he not a great deal to live for? He was sure that his little ward loved him in a way. Of course she could not care for him in the way he did for her, but then, it was something to feel her smooth white hands upon his face, and feel her innocent kisses showered there. He did not find the girl in when he reached the boathouse. Biddy was making biscuits and singing. “You are as happy as I am, Biddy,” said the man as he put down his oars upon the dock, and came into the house. “Of course I’m happy,” replied the woman, “and why should I not be? Why, Tom, have any two people any more reason to be happier than we are? Think of it, Nellie loves us both, and we are saving money by the quart, and our darling is a lady.” “I don’t want her too much of a lady,” said the man gravely. “Well, you can’t help her being a lady,” stormed Biddy, “for she is born and bred in the bone a lady, and that’s all there is to it.” “Ah, yes, Biddy, that way, I know, but don’t get into her head notions that she must marry a rich man, will you?” Then the woman laughed. “Why don’t you come out with it, man?” said she, “and tell me all about it? I know that you love this girl, and it’s all right.” Tom’s dark head dropped down upon his hands. He loved this good Irishwoman, and also the little girl, just as Biddy had said. But he was years older than Nellie, and there were so many finer-looking fellows in the city. Then, too, there was that stain upon his name which he could not erase unless he could find the man who stole the jewels and placed them in his bundle, and that was so long ago that there was no possible chance. Just as they were talking they heard a girlish laugh. Nellie had gone out in her own little boat, which Biddy had given her, and was returning for supper. [Illustration: NELLIE] Her happy laughter could always be heard before the girl came in sight. “Now you tell her, Tom, all about herself,” argued Biddy, “for if you don’t there is no way for you to ask her to marry you.” Again the man shuddered. “I cannot tell her I found her in prison,” said he, with a very white face, “for then she would ask me how I came there.”