The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-10-28

pressed it:
1t wa evening Of the same day-a dull
November evening, much in harmony
with my thoughts, a. I leaned against
the door post Of our house. and recalled
the good old times when life was q mer-
~ farce for us all.
I had no heart to work. All that day
had hawked nv manuscrip pts from one
publisher to another, vainly hoping to
get loan upon them. Ny threepence
half-pcnny had been carefully invested
at dirty cook shop, and I was glad to
think there must have been just enough
cold meat to satisfy the boys ut dinner
and tea.
Presently would 20 in and hunt for
any fragments that remained, for I was
desperately hungry.
Through the fog came a slender fe.
male figure disguised in a waterproof.
She did not notice me until quite abreast,
when the light fell upon her face. Then
as she gave one frightened glance, saw
two things-how pale and beautiful it
was, and what depth Of misery lay in
the startled eyes.
It was low neighborhood in which
we lived, though separated but by a long
alley from fashionable West End street
"a dangerous locality for young girl
at that hour. I crossed the road in order
to accompany her unobserved, and had
hardly done so ere saw her brought up
by some man, looming unsteadity, in the
mist.
"Come here, my pretty dear!" said he.
She gave faint scream and tined to
slip by him, but the drunken wretch
caught her by the loose waterproof. In
another second he measured his length
on the pavement; but, strange to say, the
girl also sank down insensible, dropping
something that looked like jewel case.
My PROSTATE friend was relieving his
feelings by FOUND volley of obscene
abuse. Not daring to await the arrival
of a policeman, l caught up his victim
and her case, and made hasty retreat.
At the foot of the dilapidated stairs
hesitated. Should carry my fair bur-
den into Mrs. Callaghan's little parlor2
The sight Of Bridget in full flight, par
sued by shrill inveclve, decided the
point.
"Bridget," said l, this lady has
tainted. Come and help me-"
"Ah, sure, sor! Poor dear2''
We carried the stranger to the common
sitting room, and assayed to bring her
round. Presently she opened he1 eyes,
and began to speak incoherently.
"Dellriousp' said I. 1t was great
relief to hear Halls sp:inging step. He
gave low whistle of establishment Is he
entered, and felt the patents pulse,
while I gave brief explanation.
"Feverish- She must be put to
bed at once. Where does she ivef"
II have not an idea. Search her pock-
ets."
But the search was fruitless.
"Call cab and I will take her to the
hospital" suggested Harry.
looked at the flushed face and the
bright, beautiful eyes, and my heart gave
great, senseless throb Of disapproval.
mo; we cannot turn her away. Fetch
a nurse, Hal, and she shall have nv
room. You will take me in for night
or two?'
"Of course, old man," aud Hal flew off.
Then thought of our landiady.
"Bridget," said I, show about Mrs.
Callaghan?''
~ am the misthress, sor! Sure I'll tell
her you've got the faver, an she won't
come nigh yc."
One more difficulty remained, and that
the greatest-the money problem. Well,
my coat and vest might go.
So for three days battered about the
apartment in an old tattered dressing
gown, beng supposed to be down with
fever; meanwhile the real patient had
careful attention and Strengthening nour-
ishment.
The third day a notable event happen
ed. A high-class monthly sent me a
check for contribution, and requested a
similar one. worked cheerfuily after
that till the crisis came, and the nurse
gleefully reported that the young lad
was conscious, and asking for her father.
MAY I see her2'' said I, eagerly.
"Dear, dear-no, sir. The excitement
would throw her back. Besides she
must not talk. Her father is Mr.. Bull
ion, of street"
Bullion, the great foreign banker! What
brought his daughter unattended, into
this vile side street, Time would ex.
plain, perhaps. Meanwhile Jack put on
his hat, and departed In quest Of the
great. In an hour he was with us, his
usual imposing air and magister1al de-
meanor lost in the agitation Of the NOM
ent: He shook me warmly by the hand.
"Your friend has explained all, Mr..
Hathaway. I am deeply grateful to you.
Where Is my child3'
The most renowned physician in town
was quickly summoned, but in vain Mr..
Bullion begged him to devise means to
remove his daughter. At present she
mast not leave her bed. In few DAYS.
perhaps, with returning strength. she
might lie for two or three hours at time
on sofa in our sitting-room. Further
change was imperatively forbidden.
so Mr.. Bullion, with many apologies,
Begged that some of his daughters IA
vorite pictures, and few chairs, etc.,
from her bourdoir, might be brought:
and we could not refuse. A few hours
transformed our bachelors den into q
kind of fairy palace.
Mr.. Bullion was naturally a constant
visitor, and had to receive him in the
tattered dressing gown. Twice he found
me- writing with manuscripts Uttered
around.
"You are an author9' he queried, with
a smile.
"A would.be one"
"Pray do not desist from writing on
my account. May amuse myself for a
time with your papers2'
He borrowed bulky one at leaving
to submit it, he said to a publisher he
knew. Next day I received a letter from
we'll known firm, Offering $3.50 for the
copyright and an additional $3.50 if a
second edition was called for. In nv
youth and lnexperience, 1t did not occur
to me for months the money come from
the bankers pocket.
Of course l eagerly assented, and took
my coat and vest out of pawn-not day
too soon, for Miss Bullion was pronounced
COnValescent and that affarnnon hor 70