The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-06-01


the interval till speech returned
"You abandoned young prohigate!"
Jack removed his pipe, nodded and
quietly resumed it.
''Where arc the other scamps?"
zone gone for the doctor; the other
and jerk of the speakers thumb toward
the door behind which he stood completed
the sentence.
Old Blunderson made two unwicldly
steps toward us.
Better not" said Jack.
"Eh?"
'"Typhoid fcvcr-bad casc-contag !"
tibbcd Jack between his putfs.
We saw old Blundcrson's face turn
ghastly green with fear. Still he looked
incrcdulous: we had played so many tricks
before.
'Gammon!" he gaspcd at longth.,
Jack rosc slowly walked to the corner,
and produced the shovel
"Fumigating the room," said he. "Bet-
tor have pipe"
And old Blunderson fairly turned and
fled with such celebrity that he gained the
next floor III seconds instead of minutes.
We were laughing at his discontinue,
when Brldget's head appeared at the door.
81 thought I'd tell yc, gentlemen, the
mistress is just comm. The saints purtect
ye, for she has been rampagn> like hay
then all this blessed mornin!"
Our faces fell. Mrs. Callaghan, our
worthy landiady, was not foe to bo so
readily disloqgcd, and her powers of invec-
tive were simply unrivalcd. Hal was the
only one who could soothe her, and he
came to the rescue
"My turn," he said, with look of comic
disgust. "You fellows get into my room
and clear out of the house as soon as she is
seated.
AS we did, seeing Hal hand chair Gas
we glidcd by) with the deepest of mock
rcverences, and an expression of extreme
devotion on his handsome features. "Nlall-
ing violent love to the old beast - as he
would have elegantly expressed it.
1t was evening of the same day-a dull
November evening, much in harmony with
my thoughts, rs 1 leaned against the door
post of our house, and recalled the good
Old times when life was a merry farce for
lis all.
l had no heart to work. All that day I
had hawked my manuscripts from one
publisher to another, vainly hoping to get
loan upon them. My threepence half
penny had been carefully invested at
dirty cook shop, and | was glad to think
there must have been just enough cold
meat to satisfy the boys at dinner and tea.
Presently would go in and hunt for
a'y fragments that remained, for l was
desperately hungry.
Through the fog came slender female
figure disguised IN waterproof. She did
not notice me until quite abreast, when the
light fell upon her face. Then as she
gave one frightened glance, 1 saw two
things-how pale and beautiful it was, and
what depth of misery lay in the startled
eyes.
1t was low ncighborhood In which we
lived, though separated by but a long
alley from fashionable West End street
a dangerous locality for young girl at
that hour. 1 crossed the road in order to
accompany her unobserved, and had hardly
done so ere saw her brought up by some
man, looming unstcadily in the mist.
"Come here, my pretty dear" said he.
She gave faint scream and tried to slip
by him, but the drunken wretch caught her
by the loose waterproof. In another Sec
ond he measured his length on the pave
ment; but, strange to say, the girl sank
down also inscnsible, dropping something
that looked like jewel case.
My PROSTATE friend was relieving his
feelings by round volley of obscene abuse
Not daring to await the arrival of police
man, l caught up his victim and her case,
and made hasty retreat. At the foot of
the dilapIdated stairs I hesitate,l. Should
carry my fair burden into Mrs. Callag-
hans little parlor? The sight Of Bridget in
full flight pursued by shrill invective, de-
cided the point.
Bridget said I, this lady has tainted.
Come and help me.'
"Ah, sure, sor, poor dearl"
We carried the stranger to the common
sitting room, and essayed to bring her
round. Presently she opened her eyes,
and began to speak incohercntly
"Delirious," said I. 1t was great re-
lieve to hear Halls springing STEP lie gave
low whistle of astenishment as he entered,
and felt the patients pulse, while I gave a
brief explanation.
"Fcvcrish-very. She must be put to
bed ut once, Where does she live2
II have not IN idea. Search her pock-
ets"
But tho search was frutlcss
"Call cab, and will take her to the
hospital" suggested Harry.
l looked at the flushed face and the
bright beautiful eyes, and my heart gave
great senseless throb of disapproval.
"No, we cannot turn her away. Fetch
nurse, Hal, and she shall have my room.
You will take me in for night or two2'