Daily Republican., 1883-11-17
A GREAT RISK.
by ANNABEL DWIGHT.
" What a pity 4"

| hhsuc MI IHtuCCIuhi 6ttcMpJ " ooSOu
the long flight of granite steps whic
led to the great, white mansion wher
he reigned in lonely grandeur saw
when a roistering Iarty of his bOol
companions passed night Of dissipa
ton in the magnificent rooms.
The hum Of city traffic came faintl.
down the cool, shady street, tlanked nl
either side by stately dwellings.
BOnnibel Lee with one Of her shOl
mates was out earlier than usual to-day
in cons, qnence Of the breaking of .
shaft connected with their department
Their walk home took them past the
Proctor Mansion, and more than ono,
BOnnibel had seen the handsome, aissi
pated owner, whose exCesses had nHi'
him notorious, carried into the hous.
insensible.
To-day he was alone, and leaning un'
steadily against one OF the great posts
which guarded the gateway.
He looked up as the girl spoke, and
sense of his own vileness swept over
him under the sorrowful glance of htr
clear, brown eyes.
She was dressed poorly, even shah
billy but Proctor was not in q cOndi
ton to notice details. He only saw
that the face was fair, and pure, and
girlish under the little black straw hat,
and he fel, ashamed.
Leaving her companion to stare after
her with great amusement and disgust.
Bonnibei walked up to Charlie Proctor
and held out he" hand TO him.
7 Mt hnl oil
quietly.
And the little, cool hand clasped it.
self around hi, feverish palm, while she
guided his unsteady footsteps up to the
wide door way, where, after seating him
in one of The easy chairs standing
within the arched porch, she rang
the bell and made good her escape,
shaking her head gently at Proctor's
stammered request for her name.
He was not so deeply Intoxicated that
he could uot remember that sweet,
young, plying face, with its fluffy gold
en- hair, and sorrowful brown eyes. IL
began TO haunt him, sleeping ard wax
ing.
lie locked for the owner up and down
the crowded city streets day after day
in vain.
At last, standing in the stone gate
way one AFTERNOON a little while after
the hoarse blowing OF the six O'Clock
" histles, he saw her coming toward
him.
She was quite alone this time.
He had drank nothing all that day
and his eager eyes swept her face and
Agure in one swift, comprehensive
glance.
"a shop gir,and wretchedly poor"
he thought, noting the shabby dress
and the little dinner basket
She cane on swiftly, flushing a little
" the sight OF hin, and flushing Sill
more as he raised his ha courteonsly
md moved along by her side.
You were very kind to a worthless
elbow a fortnight ago." he said may
know whom to thank ?'
"No thanks are necessary, sir, fall
cred Bonnibel, beginning to be AFRAID
# the man hose name was a bywOrd
u the city.
He saw that she was afraid and halted
Iirectly with his hat in his hand.
Gam | then so bad that you will not
rust me?" he said, smiling at her
while faint flush crept into
lis dark cheek.
Something in his voice forced her to
ook at him.
The better part Of Charles Proctor
vas lighting up his face now, and the
,irl said in the simple, quiet way which
van natural to her.
Why do you not try to be a better
nan ?"
al may, if you will give me your
lame," he said smilingly.
She shook her head and would have
on when her shop'mate hur-
'ying up the street, called loudly
" Bonnibel, Bonnibfl Lee"
Proctor laughed out in sudden tri.
imph, and bowing, replaced his hat,
md went stridng off down into a eide
treet.
Bonnibel Lee
How the fanciful name ran through
jharlie Proctor's heart, together with
he grave, child-like inquiry;
why do You not try to be better
nan %
Why did he not, indeed
Who would help him up now :?
Not one respectable woman in the
ity would he seen in his company.
Small wonder then that the touch of
hat young girls helping hand had
hrillrd through the mist Of his stupor
ha' day to haunt him forever.
He began to follow her.
He soon learned where she worked
n the great thread mill on the outskirts
# the city.
He tracked her to her home-one
,onr room in a rickety tenement house.
He learned that u little lame sister
vas dependent upon her for support
md aft.r that boxes Of fruit and flowers
md books, the like of which she had
,ever seen before, began to come for
,oor little crippled Hettie.
Bonnihr was at II loss to know from
whence these favors came.
She knew that Proctor had been fol-
owing her, and the knowledge gave
Ter much uneas mess but she had no,
houeht OF him as the donor Of the fruit
md flowers and books. Until one day
easy invalid-chair was left
u tne mouse LOT lIeJllt-d CudtE III
which she could whee. herself all over
he room and sit or rec,ine at her plea
ure. |
On looking it over, BOnnibel found
hat the dealer had scrawled IN chalk |
N the bottom of the chair:
CHARLES PROCTOR TO BE- left ut |
3 Blank street"
Then Bonnlbe's decision was made.
She was glad to see that Proctor stood
i his gate early as it was when she
vent to work the next morning.
She rrem blcd in every limb as she
'ade him good morning, but went on
despite the loud, throbbing
# her heart.
"Mr. Proctor" she sa!d," must ask
,ou to take away the chair you sent to
Iettie-'
"How do you know that have sent
my chair to Hettie 2" he interrupted,
With a smile.
" And who is He'tie, Miss Bonnibel?"
You know" said Bonnilel, looking
lirectly at him with her clear, thought. |
nj ewes, 81 have to thank you for the |