Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1872-08-24

been 10 their employ. 1t Is hard that O
mans misfortune should be visited against
him as fault, but know who / have Ia
thank for it. With all his oddities, Mr..
tIardman would not have done such a
thing"
would it do any good to apply to him,
Philip3"
"No," returned the husband, gloomily,
cit would be useless. Mr.. Hardman
leaves all to his sonin-law, Mr. Joyce,
who manages everything, the partner in-
cluded."
Gould not go to Mr.. Hardman, Phil
lip, and explain it to him !"
"No, Grace, do not think he would
act against Mr. Joyce, for he almost be-
licves he cannot do wrong"
"Never mind. Philip, don't grieye, some
thing else will be sure to turn up; you are
so very clever, and your leg will be we'll
In n few weeks"
"YOu forgot, Grace, that all our saw
ings are nearly spent, and that may 1nd
some difficulty in getting another sltua-
ton"
The half irritable tone OF his voice hurt
the yo"ng wife, who had struggled so hard
80 hide from him her own feelings. She
burst into tears, murmuring, reproachful-
ly " forgot forgot, Philipi oh. how l
wish could cannot forget, dear; but
| can pray that We may be spared from
such trials"
My dear dear wife, forgive me | am
40 miserable that hardly knew what
said. Oh if ii had come at any other
time"
III.
Showing still as II had enoSed for
hours the air was full Cf binding mist
from the thickly falling ltkea. which the
wind driIed in masses through the cold,
white streets. The office clock pointed to
quarter past ten on the bleak December
morning when Stephen Hardman left hls
desk, and, readjusting bis rimmed specta-
cles, placed himself ut the window, rs he
did every morning at the same hour, No
matter what might be his Occupation, at
the time, II WAS made to yield to the indul-
gence of what appeared to those about
him most singular whim.
When the quarter had advanced to
twenty five minutes past the hour, he took
out his watch and compared 1t with the
office clock as he expected they agreed
to "A second.
Not comlug," he muttered al never
knew har to extend more than three or
four seconds over the quarteri so punctual
to her time that | might almost set my
watch by her. Not coming Well, it's
not llt weather for one like her to be out
she's too small and delicate looking. If
she belonged to me I'D take care--
Why, bless me, there she lsl" the old
merchant added in an eager whisper, as Il
young lady came into view. She was ON
the opposite side of the street-a slight
girlish figure, with peculiarly Of dress
that might have attracted attention In
n
busy little town. This was a scarlet cloak
with the hood drawn over her bonnet, and
fitting round her face like frame. 1t
gave ont warm CLEAN OF color against
She snow, and invested Its wearer with
some resemblance TO the Red Riding Hood
of the sweet old fairy tale.
Standing there, with bis hands resting
on the edge of the wire blind, the merchant
had watched, morning after morning, the
passing of the picturesque figure, and
noted that the fresh, pure face, which had
first attracted him, was gradually grow
ing paler and thinner. This had gone on
for weeks, until il became a part Of the
days routine to watch for her. She was
invested with a strange kind of interest to
him hy lancied likeness between her and
favorite daughter Of his own, who had
faded in her first bloom.
As he watched the advancing figure, he
murmured, Every day she grows more
like my little Helen. | could almost FAM
cy it was herself, getting paler and thin
nv pun NhAlN MbuhNA - nhA hAn hAil
one to care for her."
Al that moment group of boys rushed
towards the young lady, the foremost of
the noisy crew, exclaiming, In derisive
allusion to the red cloak, Halo, Bill,
let's put out the fire."
The words were followed by loud
laugh and shower OF snow. balls. In the
effort TO avoid the snow-balls the young
lady slipped and fell.
With the fear of IL policeman before
their eyes the boys scamperld of, leaving
the prOstrute figure on the ground but
aid was at hand. A youth with pen be-
on the opposite side of the street, followed
almost Immediately by II white haired old
gentleman, who showed considerable anxl-
ETY. and solicitude in ascertaining If the
young lady was hurt.
" Not much," was the murmured reply,
while the sweet voice added some words
Of thanks for the assistance whish had
been rendered. Her hurt was more serious
than she WAS aware-she had severely
spraincd one of her ankles, and the effort
to stand caused inexpresslble pain.
Let us help her into my office
Thomas" said the old man, "then we
will see what can be DONE"
Nv.
A few minutes more and the stranger
found herself seated In an easy chair by q
bright fire.
She could not help looking her gratefu
surprise at the unexpected kindness of thu
old gentleman. She did not guess tina
her face had become to him familiar al
something which had entered into hi
daily life. He saw her glance at tn
clock, and noted the anxious expression
of her pale face.
"Are you far from home +" he asked.
eyes, she faltered "but | shall no
be going home for hours. l am engage
every day teaching nv pupils will b