"Oh, well, I know that Paul is your idol. He can't do anything wrong. I shouldn't wonder if he was in a scrape now."
"What kind of a scrape? Don't leave me in suspense, Stephen."
Stephen Palmer was not over supplied with brains, and he was foolish enough to fall into the trap, and speak of what he could not be supposed to know.
"I heard a report," he said, "that Paul had been arrested for stealing in the Milwaukee train to-day."
"Where did you get your information?" asked Mrs. Palmer.
"She doesn't believe it," said Stephen to himself. "Never mind; she may have to before long."
"I don't care to mention where I heard it," he answered.
"Perhaps it isn't; but if that's the case, why doesn't he come home?"
"Oh, yes; very important business!" chuckled Stephen. "I guess he'll find it very important and pressing."
"Is that what you have come to tell me, Stephen Palmer?"
"No, not exactly. The fact is, Mrs. Palmer, I am hard up."
"Right you are. The fact is, I am very unlucky. Nothing seems to go right with me. I have a hard struggle to get along."
"There's one remedy you might find, Stephen," said the widow, sternly.
"Work!" repeated Stephen, angrily. "And where am I to find work? Haven't I tried to get something to do everywhere?"
"I don't know; but from what I know of you, I presume not. A man who really wants to work won't go so long without it as you have."
"Much you know about it. I tell you everything is crowded. How much money do you think I have got left?"
"That's all," said Stephen, drawing a quarter from his vest-pocket and flipping it up in the air. "Mrs. Palmer, you must help me."
"If you are hungry Stephen, though it is a late hour, I will give you something to eat."
"Thank you! I don't want any of your cold victuals," sneered the vagabond.
"Yes, you can. Give me the little girl's gold piece. You needn't pretend that she has spent it, for I know better."
"Whether that is the case or not, I decline to let you have it."
"Look here, widow," said Stephen, his brow darkening, "I ain't going to be trifled with or bluffed off; not this time. When down here before I wasn't quite myself, and that young puppy, Paul, thought it safe to bully me. Things are different now. I am perfectly sober, and I know what I'm about. So I tell you once more I want that money, and I advise you to get it for me, or else give me as much out of your own pocket."