The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-07-21

the mettle on the least provocation. lie
had been walking gloomily along, al
ternately tormenting himself by re-
proaches and soothing his dependency
by making stern resolves for the future,
when he became aware of the near
presence of two other persons. One
was young lady--a pretty young lady
so at least thought Felix, on catch
ing a glimse of her as she passed under
a lamp. Her figure was 1.-THE and
graceful; and he felt sure, from the lit
tie he had seen of her, that a gentle,
sweet.eyed face made harmony with
the rest. Behind her, close at her heels,
strode a ponderous, thick-set, bearded
man, dressed in everyday dark clothes,
but evidently foreigner, by the cut of
him. The young lady seemed to be
conscious that some one was behind
her, for she FASTENED her step in order
to distance her pursuer and avoid him.
The man, however, began to speak to
her, and the startled CIR | hurriedly
crossed the road. This manouvre was
not attended by the success desired.
Her follower crossed too, and was soon
once more close to the young lady's
side. Alarmed, she hastened her pace
still further, and crossed back to the
side where Felix was walking and
quietly watching. With unabashed
impudence, the man again followed in
her wake, and continued pleading, in a
half whining, half threatening tone for
aims The young lady, terribly fright
ened, paid no heed, save by putting
extra pressure on her speed.
Felix became very soon master of
the situation. Tramps, ready to take
advantage of the helplessness of lonely
way-farers, were common enough in his
part of the country, and he knew well
how to deal with them. Without any
further ado he quickened his step until
he got quite close to the man. "How
dare you molest this lady, you vaga-
bond y he said, in loud, clear voice.
The man turned round suddenly in
surprise, and swore one of those gut
tural, never,ending oaths, familiar to
the German. The young lady indulg-
ed in little scream of terror. "Vot
vor you interfere?" growled the man.
"Donner wetter! was wollen sie?" He
looked very wicked and put out his fist
prepared to deal a blow. But Felix did
not give him either time or opportunity.
Dropping out with his left, he made the
German reel and see more stars than
were certainly shining in the skies that
night.
"Take that; it will teach you to know
better another time"
The man looked for a moment as
though he meditated savage spring;
but Felix's calm and reflected manner
caused him to pause and reflect. He
had already tasted the smarting effect
of one good rap, and was sensible
enough to perceive that in his antago
mist he had to do with practised box
er Blurting out an unintelligible sc.
ries of anathemas, he turned away like
a beaten hound
"How can l thank you!" said the
young lady, looking up at Felix timid
ly. 81 was so frightened, l hardl,
knew what to do"
"Dont speak of it, I am very glad
happened to be by"
"He had been following me eve
since I left the house of some friends
down the road. I live quite close by,
and would not allow them to send theil
servant with me az an escort. l have
come home at this hour many times
and no accident of the kind has eve
happened to me before. Oh, l was sc
terribly frightened"
Felix noticed that she gave way t.
! the daintiest possible shudder; and
yes, she was pretty, with the sweetes
imaginable pleading face.
"Pray don't distress yourself any
further. The scoundrel has gone; and
don't think it's likely he will return
May |, in any case, have the pleasure
of seeing you to your door?"
"Oh, thank you; but | am afraid
am putting you to a great deal o
trouble"
''Not in the least; my time is m!
own"
He offered his arm, and felt the pres
sure of the lightest and tiniest of GLOW
ed hands. They walked along. Wha
did they talk about? Felix Dean him
self could not have told you. All h
knew was that the moments seeme'
very sweet and very brief, Before h
had time to fully realize his position
he was brought to stand still befor
a handsome, solid looking villa.
81 am at home now, and thank yo
very, very much. May I-may | as
to whom am so much indebted" 7"
Felix flashed out card from hi
case, He was glad she had said this
not through boastfulness or vain glory
but simply because in his heart he long
ed TO have the chance of seeing he
again. 1t seemed to him cruel that the
should have met just that once, an
possibly for that once only.
She took the card, babe him gooo
night warmly, and her little, active
graceful figure was soon lost among'
the maze of strawberries that lined tn
garden path leading to the house.
That night Felix dreamed of bearde'
Germans and fsiic encounters. Blu
one bright, smiling face ever and ano
shone forth and broke the combativ
spell at its most truculent stage, fillin
his soul with gladness,
The next morning, however, the ol
grief became paramount. There wa
his civil service examination starin
him pitilessly in the face, and sternl
reminding him that this was no tim
for idle dreaming, but for hard worl
He sat down to his unattractive tasl
and became wholly absorbed in h
studies. Discouraged, but not val
quished by the formidable list of sui
| jects to be mastered in very limile
space of time, Felix toiled on steadil
undisturbed. In the afternoon the Sc
want brought in a card. "If you pleas
sir, a gentleman has called to see you
"Called to see met"
Felix glanced at the name; Alfre
Morrison.
"Morrison, Morrisonl" he though