The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-11-20
A Friend in Need.

pawn-broker's shop, Within, yonng
girl stood by the counter. holding q large
package for the dealers inspection. Her
eyes followed his motions wistfully as he
took 1t and removed the paper wra oplngs,
displaying the lustrous folds of q silk
dress, made IN quaint, old fashioned
style.
''How mnch do you vant2' he question
ed at last.
my mother thought FIVE dollars would
be little enough for it. The silk is very
good. 1t was her wedding dress"
The man raised his eyes and hands in as
tonishment. Five dollars tho leetle miss
is lot in earnest. will geef but two"
The child's lips quivered but she did
not speak,"
''Vell, 1 Will say three, but it's too
much. The-vat you say2 The shtyle is
old-too old, and with deprecating sug-
gestive shrug of the shoulders, he placed
palm. AS she received the dlngy locking
bills and the accompanying as dingy pawn
ticket, she turned with disappointed sigh
toward the door. What followed was the
work of moment. A rough looking
young hanger-on about the place saw the
bills in her hand as she came out into the
street, caught them from her with jeering
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 motherl" she
sank down upon the steps and began to
sob bitterly.
But hep was near. A passing stranger
had witnessed the theft, and had given
indignant pursuit and forced the young
miscreant to dlsgorge bis plumber. Then
Fastening back to the side of the sobbing
girl he said: "Here is your money, little
one. Don't ever be 80 careless again, es-
pecially in a neighborhood like this"
BY this time group had gathered
around the two, watching them with slnis
Ter looks, evidently in iull sympathy with
the young ruffian who had been so sum-
marily disposed of by Gerald Carman's
strong arm.
He took IN the surroundings with one
swift glance, and determined not to leave
the helpless girl until she was in a safe
place.
eff you are willing, will walk little
way with you," he said in an undertone.
like not the company hereabouts They
look as though they might work you mere
trouble.
''Thank you," said the girl gratefully.
II was never here before, but nlothor is
30 sick she had to send me-"
She was wee bit of thing, and look
ed even smaller walking bepide her pro-
tector. Her face was an interesting one,
though wan and pale; and her eyes were
OF that deep grey color which In the shad-
ow Of the long, dark lashcs looked like
black. They shone out beneath tang}e 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 a 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 gleam-
ing, tendril.like gold; and his heart warm
ed toward tho owner Of the hand nesting
80 confidently in his own broad palm,
while she told in artless words her simple
story as they walked along.
Her father had been q 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 had reached them
and they had heard nothing since.
''Mamlna had lived In the country" said
Adelaide, in conclusion, land when our
money was nearly gone she thought 1t
would be easier to find work here, 30 we
moved: She had not felt able to sew lately,
and has had to pay ono thing after another
until all was gone out but the wedding
dress. She was too sick to take 1t this
morning, 90 she had to trust to me. She
was afraid would get lost In the big,
wicked city, but told her God watched
over tho little birds, and He would surely
do the same by me; and SO ho did. 1t was
God who sent YOU" and she looked up into
his face with admiring, reverential eyes.
Gerald flushed little, but her simple,
child-liko faith was too refreshing to Il 8.
turb by any commonplace disclaimer; 90
he said, to turn the subject from himself;
''Was your mamma not very sorry TO part
with the dress2"
''1ndced she was. never saw her cry
50 but once before, and that was when We
heard that papa was dead"
1t was easy for the sympathetic listener
to form an idea of tho destitution that
threatened the little family. A paltry
three Collars only between them and wantl
They had by this time reached the doc,