San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1879-01-11
FRIEND M MEEDH


pawnbroker's shop. Within; a young
eirl stood by the counter, holding q
large package for the dealers inspec'
ton. Her eyes followed his. motions
vistfullylas he TOOK # and FemoySa tte
paper wrappings, displaying The g. la paT.'
folds of silk dress, made in quaint
old-fashioned style. % q" '''
allow much do you vant9" he ques-
toned at last " tla : Gl0yH
"My mother thought fye dollars .1n
would be little enough for it.l The sllk
is very good twas her wedding dress.
The man, raised his eyes and hands in
establishment. "Five dollars? the leetle
miss is not in earnest. Twill gesf but
two" -,.,....
The child's lips quivered, but she did
not speak. 81 I1f .>OJILI TiG
"vell, will say three, but it's too
much. The--vat you say? The shtyle
is too old-too old, and with depre-
eating suggestive shrug of his shoulders
he placed the money in little Adelaide's
outstretched palm. As she received the
dingy-looking bills and the accompany
ing as dingy pawn ticket, she turned
with disappointed sigh toward the
door. What followed was the work OF
a moment A rough-looking hanger-on
about the place saw the bills in her hand
as she came out into the street, caught
them from her with ieering laugh,
then ran swiftly away with his booty.
For moment she stood bewildered,
hardly realizing what had happened.
Then with cry of."Oh, my poor moth
er!" she sank down upon the steps and
began to sob bitterly,,g 10. n 1850 n .
But help was near. A passing stran-
ger had witnessed the theft and had
given indignant pursuit and forced the
Young miscreant to disgorge his pfun-
der. Then fastening back to the side
of the sobbing girl, he said: Here is
your money, little one. Don't ever be
so careless again, especially in a neigh
borhood like this. ",a lol '1ouais H'
By this time group had gathered
around the two, watched them with SIN
lister looks, evidently in fall sympathy
with the young ruffian whohad been so
summarily disposed of by Gerald Car
mans strong arm. iE' '''''
He took in the surroundings with one
swift glance, and determined not to
leave the helpless girl until she was in
safe place. (Y 4J si al-.
IF you are willing I will walk a little
way with you, he said, in an undertone.
II do not like the company hereabouts.
They look as though they might work
you more trouble. ~ - ~
"Thank you, said the girl, gratefully.
II was never here before, but mother
was SO sick she had to send me-" .L
She was wee bit of thing, and
looked even smaller walking beside her
protector. Her face was an interesting
one, though wan and pale; and her eyes
were of that deep gray color, which in
the shadow of the long, dark lashes
looked like black. They shone out
from beneath a tangle of curly hair,
which glistened in the sun like molten
gold. But Gerald thought not of any
promise of beauty in the child. His
memory was busy in the past. when he
had pressed lingering last kiss upon
the forehead Of little sister who was
to be laid away from his sight under
the daisies. Often had he threaded his
fingers through her curls-just such
another mass Of cleaning, tendril-like
gold: and his heart warmed to the own
er of the hand nesting so confidently
in his own broad palm, while she told
in artless words her simple story rs they
walked slonggItf .tlttl LLH ,.
Her father had been a sea captain.
He had sailed away on three years
voyage, hoping to come home rich
enough to stay for The rest of his life
with his family. But the news of his
death reached them. and they had heard
nothing since.
Mamma had lived in the country,
sid Adelaide. in conclusion, "and when
our money vas nearly gone she thought
IL would BE- easier 10 find work here. 50