Glad and grateful for his own rescue, he now
devotes his life to the work of saving others. In his hands Mr.
Ridley will receive the gentlest treatment consistent with needed
restraint. He is better here than he could possibly be anywhere
else; and when, as I trust in God the case may be, he comes out of
this dreadful ordeal, he will find himself surrounded by friends and
in the current of influences all leading him to make a new effort to
reform his life. Poor man! You did not get him here a moment too
soon."
CHAPTER XXIV.
MRS. BIRTWELL slept but little that night and in the brief periods
of slumber that came to her she was disturbed by unquiet dreams. The
expression of Mr. Ridley's face as the closing door shut it from her
sight on the previous evening haunted her like the face of an
accusing spectre.
Immediately after breakfast she dressed herself to go out, intending
to visit the Home for reforming inebriates and learn something of
Mr. Ridley. Just as she came down stairs a servant opened the street
door, and she saw the slender figure of Ethel.
"My poor child!" she said, with great kindness of manner, taking her
by the hand and drawing her in. "You are frightened about your
father."
"Oh yes, ma'am," replied Ethel, with quivering lips. "He didn't come
home all night, and I'm so scared about him. I don't know what to
do. Maybe you'll think it wrong in me to trouble you about it, but I
am in such distress, and don't know where to go.
Pages:
240
241
242
243
244
245
246
247
248
249
250
251
252
253
254
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264