health.

What she should have done she scarcely knew, had not an unexpected friend
interested himself in her behalf. In one of the men's clothing stores was a
cutter from whom she obtained work. Soon after he appeared in this shop he
began to manifest signs of interest in her He was about her own age, he had a
good trade, and she often wondered why he appeared so reticent and moody, as
compared with others in similar positions. But he always spoke kindly to her,
and when her mother's illness first developed, he showed all the leniency
permitted to him in regard to her work. His apparent sympathy, and the need
of explaining why she was not able to finish her tasks as promptly as usual,
led her gradually to reveal to him the sad struggle in which she was engaged.
He promised to intercede in her behalf with their mutual employers, and asked
if he might come to see her mother.

Recognizing how dependent she was upon this man's good will, and seeing
nothing in his conduct but kindness and sympathy, she consented. His course
and his words confirmed all her good impressions and awakened on her side
corresponding sympathy united with a lively gratitude. He told her that he
also was a stranger in the town, that he had but few acquaintances and no
friends, that he had lost relatives and was in no need to go about like other
young men. His manner was marked apparently by nothing more than interest and
a wish to help her, and was untinged by gallantry; so they gradually became
good friends. When he called Sunday afternoons the mother looked at him
wistfully, in the hope that her daughter would not be left without a
protector. At last the poor woman died, and Alida was in sore distress, for
she had no means with which to bury her. Ostrom came and said in the kindest
tones:

"You must let me lend you what you need and you can pay me back with interest,