The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1861-11-01

alley--but it's poor place
Never mind, we'll soon be there"
he said cheerfully. "Lean on me, and
don't be alarmed-you shall have every
care"
But when they reached the miserable
tenement house in the narrow and reek-
ing court, matters seemed to be more
complicated. Avenel had supposed that
she had some relative or connection, who
would have taken charge of her, but she
dwelt entirely alone, and the poor have
few friends on whom they can call in such
alb extremity as this.
"Is there any one you could send for7"
he asked.
At first she shook her head mournful-
ly, but presently she seemed to recol-
lect:
'Stay, though--there is one family
they have been kind to me maay times,
and If they knowed the old creetur was
in trouble--here's the place, sir. wrote
on this card. The young lady left it
here herself.''
Avenel took the card, and glanced at
the address-it was street about half a
mile distant. His horses had been taken
to neighboring shelter, and he did not
wait to have them brought out, but set
out at brisk walk, through the stream
ing streets.
care the young ladies at home,' he
asked, as the servant anwered his ring at
the door indicated by the card.
eyes; what do you want with them?''
was the maids reply, as she eyed the
dripping and mud bespattered figure,
whose outline was scarcely discernable in
the darkness.
Clifford briefly communicated his tusi-
ness, and announced himself in waiting
to conduct them to the old woman's resi-
dence. where they were very much need
ed.
The servant withdrew, and Clifford
leaning up against the door post, could
not avoid hearing her tones within, as
she told her story, adding one or two
spicy comments upon his personal appear
ance, which made himself smile even in
the darkness.
'Why. it must be poor Becky - ex>
claimed a voice, whose accents thrilled
him with sudden surprise. "Ill go i'm
medately. Bring my shall and hood,
Mary"
"Eilher I am dreaming, or that is Al
ice Neville's voice. said Clifford to him~
self, but the next moment ali doubt was
dispelled by Isabelle's voice piched in a
sharp, discordant key, of which he had
scarcely deemed it capable.
"Alice, are you mad ? Can't you let
that troublesome old creature take care Of
herself, without your going through such
shower to the miserable ole where she
lives. Surely you will not venture OUT .
'tcertainly. if she needs me. See,
Belle, it does not rain very hard, and l
surely shall not dissolve, if it does.'
"And Mr.. Avenel will call tonight,
too. What do you suppose he will
think?''
"He cannot think anything very terri
| BILE. Poor Becky--she is SO old and fee
BILE. Dearest Belle, won't you accompa.
ny me? She may require the assistance
of both, and it is merely doing as We
would be done by
"Nonsense-I shall stay just were
am-fortunately I never was infected by
the charitable fever" said Isabelle, CON
temptuously.
Alice made no reply, but threw on the
last wrapping and glided into the hall.
''Now, sir, l am ready she said to
Clifford, who stood in the darkness with
out. He walked by her side in silence
for few moments, his heart thrilling
with admiration for the fraii young crea.
ture, who was not afraid to venture into
the storm and darkness in humanity
cause.
II think you would find the walking
easier if you would take my arm. Miss
Neville he at length SAID.
She started back in surprise. "Mr
Avenel ! Can it be possible -
"You cannot DO more astonished thar
, | was, Miss Neville, on discovering tha
old Becky's direction had guided me t'
. your residence. | did not know where
you resided, although my friend Leigh
had promised to initiate me this yer,
evening"
81 knew the proud young lady woul'
I not come, Miss Alice, but was sure O
7 you," cried the over joyed old woman.
: Clifford listened and his heart grey
\ light The problem which had disturbed
him all day, was solved at last.
When Alice re-entered the paror, Isa
belle was yawning fearfully over the pa
/ ges of novel, with several unbecomin
t wrinkles on her pretty forehead.