The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-09-27

She made her way to the exit.
The street was full of people, of cabs,
coaches, wagons, cars.
Have carriage, missP" howled a
crowd of drivers gathering about her.
"Have cab? Coupe. miss?"
She seized the most good-natured of
these drivers by the sleeve.
.I'll 60 with you,'' she said.
Smiling triumphantly upon his rivals,
he led her towards his vehicle.
II want to speak to you" she said.
II want to tell you"
She was covered with confusion, and
her face grew red as she spoke.
Il have lost my shoes in the sleeping
car. 1 put them on the window-sill
and they fell out"
The driver shook his head sympathet-
ically.
% z..And want you to drive me to the
hotel where my father is putting up. /
cannot this minute remember, but drive
out of the crowd to where it is quieter,
and I'll recall the name.''
''Yes, miss" he said, and mounted
his box and drove into Madison avenue.
There he descended and stood once
more at the door.
Tell me the names of some hotels, !"
she said.
He mentioned four or five. She was
sure the last was the right name, and
said so.
''Ask for Mr.. Brandon" she said;
and away they drove again; but she had
made mistake. Mr.. Brandon was not
at the hotel.
''WeH, where now, miss!' asked the
driver, again at the door; but Belle was
helpless. The tears were streaming
down her cheeks.
81 can't remember" she said. 81
can't remember. What shall 1 do? My
shoes are gone; my trunk checks are
gone; my money is gone, and L can't
find my father"
One item of this horrible recapitula-
ton alone struck the driver.
Haven't you got no money!" he in
quired.
"Not a cent" sobbed Belle.
Ibid yon keep your money in your
shoes?" satirically inquired the driver.
NO" sobbed Belle, ''the bag went,
too"
'sTnen I'm beat out of my fare!' said
the driver. ''Step out, if you please. If
you wasn't female, I'd give you in
charge of an officer, for believe you re
a-lying. Get out"
Belle obeyed; she hurried across the
sidewalk and stood in the friendly
shadow of high porch, sick with ter
ror. The shades of evening were de-
scending, and people gazed at her curl
ously.
Never, in all her life, did Belle forget
the modification of that hour. Yes, a
whole long hour poor Belle stood in that
corner, on those little red-stockinged
feet, trying not to cry, and praying in
wardly for help.
mo shoes on! No shoes on! No shoes
on!'' people whispered, or seemed to
whisper, as they passed. Everybody
looked at her suspiciously.
At last, from the door in the big
house against the wall of which she
stood, emerged man, who not only
looked as the rest had done, but who
advanced and spoke;
Madame" he said in gentlemanly
accents, II see that you are in some
trouble. have been watching you for
some time; and l hope you'll excuse me
for addressing you. But is there any
thing that can do?'
The girl looked at him. He was =
young man, and rather handsome; but,
above all, he seemed kind. She told
him her story at once. He evidently
did not doubt it, as the cabman had
done.
''And, oh. sir!" she said, in conclu-
sion, chow shall find my father? What
shall I doP''
He looked at her more kindly than be-
fore.
IF you will let me help you," he said,
"you will find yourself perfectly safe.
l have little sister out West. and Twill
do for you exactly what would wish
some other fellow to do for her. You
must have some shoes at once. / will
leave you in the janitor's office and find
some for you. Then we will find Mr..
Brandon, if we 60 to every hotel in the
city. l assure you we will find him, if
you are sure he is at an hotel"
''Oh, yes," said Belle, feeling greatly
comforted.
She sat in little room, hung about
with keys and riddled with speaking
tubes, for some time; and her new-found
protector went away.
He hurried to shoe store near by,
and asked the price of ladies' shoes.
The cheapest made abig hole in his only
five-dollar bill, but he bought them. He
carried them back to the janitor's room,
and Belle, with thanks that came from
her soul, put them on.
She was herself again when the but
tons were fastened, and did not even
remember what the French teacher
would have thought of her position. She
took the offered arm of her escort, and
they went out into the twilight.
What should have done if you had
not found me?" she said Papa will
be so thankful to you."
The young man answered properly,
and they walked to the hotel which was
nearest.
Rooms were not engaged there for.
Miss Brandon, nor was Mr.. Brandon
there, nor had he been there. At half
a-dozen other places the same answer
was received.
Then it occurred to her escort to tel
sgraph to the rest of the well-known
hotels. He did so. His money went
by quarters. 1t was all gone, and no
favorable answer had been received.
Belle watched the coming of the re-
plies, and grew paler at each negative.
"What viii he think of mepo now
mingled with the thought of .'What shall
dops
She knew his name. She had seen it
written many times-Percival Perry.