Connecticut western news., 1878-12-04

0Opuy COu1U b00 buA6 u1S T1BAb utsAA " esS helpless, splintered up out of the way 1; but this left hand that groped in the drawer somehow made Sophy's blood run cold. She couldn't tell why, but it seemed to her that there was something sinister about it, and the temporary re- lief she had found in the first movement of the man was now absorbed in the fear that he was going to do something dread ful. When that left hand lifted some thing out of the drawer that shone sharp ly through the grimy window-pane, Sophy felt, she hoped, that it was all a terrible nightmare brought on by that little supper around the corner, and 1t was of no use to try to scream; but she gasped out, Papa papa!" And MT. May, who had crept about the second story front room on tiptoe, that he might not arouse Mrs. May, and had put on his dressing gown and lighted cigar, and adjusted the shade over the lamp so that it shielded the closed eyes of his wife, but reflected brightly upon his evening paper-Mr. May had just put his slip pered feet on the top of chair, and commenced an article on the financial outlook, when he heard that shrill, ter rlfed cry of his precious only daughter.
 In two seconds he was there by her side, looking out of the second-story back-room window into that gloomy, terrible room beyond.
 "Why, good God p said MT. May, dropping his cigar, "It's Higgins I didn't dream he had got to this; why why"
 "Papa papa l" cried Sophy, putting her hands over her eyes, "he's going to -to-"
 "To shave himself, Sophy," inter- rupted MT. May. "Lots of people do at this time of the night; it's quite a common thing. Here, help me get on this internal sleeve, Sophy. I'll go around there at once;' and MT. May began to tear off his dressing-go
 "Quick quick. papa you'll be too late. Oh, thank God, somebody has come in over there He's saved, Papa, thank God!'
 And MT. May, with his dressing-gown hanging to his left arm, turned to the window again. Why, God bless my soul p he cried, "that's Robinson-Jack Robinson You know Robinson, ,Sophy?'
 "Yes, papa,'' said Sophy and faint color crept into her pallid cheek, which deepened and glowed as she watched Jack walk over to the wretched man and fling his arm about his shoulder, and take that wicked left hand of his in a genial grasp, and then walk over to the bed and lift that poor little body in his strong arms, and bring it to the knees oi Higgins, and then sit close down by them both, and take something out ot his vest pocket. MT. May thought il was money, of course.
 Reckless young scalawag l" said MT, May but in the secretary's face could be read bright things for Jack. Sophy thought it was money too but it WI. not. They could plainly see him take something out of little case and hold il up before the light, and, stretching across Higgins, catch the little thin hanc of his daughter, and put upon one of tht long slim fingers ring.
 Then Higgins bent his head, anc sobbed over that little hand all his wratf and bitterness away. And Jacks heaC also bent before that shower of peniten tial tears. MT. May choked and blew hi nose, notwithstanding his desire not to awaken Mrs. May; and as for Sophy she neither wept nor bent her head, bu as she looked over there at Jack, a ten der look of resolve deepened in her face and as it was the only thing it wanted t' make it entirely beautiful, it was thous and pities that it should be half hiddel upon the dressing gown that still clunt to MT. Mays left shoulder.
 "He's given that poor little dear ring, papa. Wasn't that sweet and beau tiful?''
 "But, Sophy, the absurdity of it-' ring, when they want bread The. want bread, and Jack gives them stone Think of it Y
 "No matter, papa. They'll hav bread, all they want. You will giv them bread, papa, right away. But it. only Jack that could ever have though of such a sweet, beautiful thing as giv ing that poor little dear a ring"
 
 The next evening every blind at tn back of MT. Mays house was secures and closed in such way that no possi ble view could be obtained of that roV of back tenements.
 To do MT. May justice, he had mad 8 tour of the place on Christmas morn ing, with Jack, and saw that none of tn inmates were without the present nee cessities of life. AS for any permanen relief, that was out of the question, C course, but Higgins was well provide for. MT. May and Jack managed to ge carpet for Higgins's floor, provision for hls closet, and blankets for his beds
 Jack didn't get through tacking dow
 the carpet and putting up the shades ii
 late in the evening. Then he took
 bite of cold turkey and cup of te
 with Higgins and little Belle, read tn Christmas Carol to the rheumatic bo in his very best style. and went home t
 dress for Sophy's Christmas party. AS he put on his Piccadilly collar wit his nose close to the looking-glas Jac couldn't but own that as far as manl : beauty went, Smith and Jones distance him completely-also for style. H sighed, and began to whistle a mela1 choly refrain, and as he went out int