70 
THE BEAUTIFUL LADDER. 
trust, a work which I undertake with the great¬ 
est pleasure. The matter which you have so 
kindly anticipated had occupied my mind more 
or less for weeks. A better home the poor 
family must have before the setting in of cold 
weather. I have had more than one inspection 
of a neat little cottage about half a mile east of 
the village. There is a comfortable house and 
about half a dozen acres of good land, ample 
for the widow’s cow and garden. The price 
has been fifteen hundred dollars, but as the 
owner is a generous man, one of my most lib-, 
eral members, one who has always taken a deep 
interest in the Farleys, I think that he will take 
much less, for the cash in hand, if purchased 
for the widow. Any balance which may be 
required above your generous donation I can 
easily raise. As a formal visit to the property 
might attract attention, and thereby lead to a 
revelation of your secret, my son will take you 
where you can get a view of the premises; and 
should you be pleased with the location, the 
purchase can be made with little delay.” 
“If you mean the little brown cottage just 
beyond the rustic bridge,” said Rudolph, “we 
can give our approval now.” 
