through your assistance. I had given myself up for lost."

"Then I will go out and see what I can do. Do you authorize me to pay
liberally for the service of a nurse?"

"Pay anything--fifty dollars a week, if necessary; I can afford it."

"I will go out at once. I will see if I can buy some oranges."

Andy left the hotel and walked toward the steamboat wharf. It was
deserted, except by two persons.

A young man of thirty, bronzed by exposure to the weather, who looked
like a farmer, stood beside a plain, cheap trunk, on which sat a woman
somewhat younger, who had a weary and anxious look.

The young man--her husband, doubtless--seemed troubled.

"Good-afternoon," said Andy, pleasantly. "Are you in any trouble? Is
there anything I can do for you?"

"Well, my boy, I'm in a tight place. I came here from Iowa, with my
wife, expecting to meet a cousin who had promised to get me employment.
I find he has left Tacoma. So here I am, with less than five dollars in
my pocket and no prospect of work. I'm not a coward, but I don't mind
saying I'm afraid to think of what will become of us."

An idea came to Andy.

Here was a chance to secure a nurse.