The Mineral argus., 1884-08-14

had put on a dark bonnet and cloak,
and had filed a basket full of eatables.
Now, sir, come with me and I will
show you where he is; and, if 1 am not
mistaken in your face, 1 do not think
you will be hard on him. Come"
She took his hand. and led him up
the dark area steps. No one was about.
n shortly afterward they got into the
Westminster bridge road. After she
girl had examined two or three doors,
she turned the handle of one and went
In, reckoning Joe to follow her up the
close, dark, wooden staircase, lighted
by the help of one of Joe's matches.
Listen" she said, when she got to
the top.
They were standing by an open door.
Joe listened, and heard the voice of the
man who had stolen his purse.
kate, dear, see here is n
gold, gold, goldl A kind gentlemen
gave it to me, and now they can't urn
us out tomorrow, and you can have
food and wine, dear, and then you
will get better, my darling"
GOD bless him." said a sweet, sad
voice.
"That's what L told him, DEAR" said
the man again.
Look" said the girl. And Joe did
look.
There, close to the bed, knelt a man
trying bard TO keep back his sobs,
holding a woman's hand in his; and
the woman who lay on that tumble
down bed was stroking his brown hair,
and trying to comfort him by saying
she would soon be better.
"Will you hurt him now ?" whispered
the girl. "Tell me-"
The truth was Joe could hardly speak.
He had a lump in his throat, and was
rather flmy about the eyes; but he
shook his head, and drew his compan
ion farther from the door.
81 had better not go in" he said, che
might say something before her that
might brighten her about that, you
know"
The young girl by his side caught his
hand and kissed it. That did not by
any means improve Jeo's equanimity.
Il will go and tell him a friend wants
to speak to him. May 1 say a friend?"
Joe vigorously nodded his head. The
man came out soon. The landing on
which they stood was only lighted by
the refe ction of the candle in the room.
81 guessed it was you sir. Don't tell
her tonight, that's all. It will kill her
when she does know it. never meant
to take it, sir. 1 went to see if I could
get some money from her father. 1t
was so hard to see her starve in this
wretched hole, and now it will be worse
than ever.
There in the dim light which made
darkness visible, Joe held out his hand.
The man looked at it and then into
Joe's face. Then he broke down. The
reaction was too much and the man
sobbed aloud. His wife heard it and
raised herself up.
Lucy" she said, ''what is that more
trouble ?"
mo, no; only Joy, and here is the
gentleman-that money, you know"
God bless you, sir, said she.
Lucy was going to stay there, and an
.nounced her intention ofnever returning
to her father. "He will have TO get
some one else to be his servant maid
now. L only got your message this
morning. l will stay with you and get
work, and well see if William
get some, and you will get we'll,
we shall all be as happy as possible"
And the little woman hustled about,
and found some sticks, and Joe found
some more matches, and they got a bit
of fire somehow, and before Joe left he
that his nights adventure had
not turned out so badly as might have
been expected.
Lucy Manners sister Kate had been
married about five years ago to a poor
young artist, who had every wish and
will to succeed in his profession, and,
a young mans buoyancy, made
up his mind that he was certain to do
so. Nh. Manvers had forbidden the
wedding altogether and solemnly told
his daughter he would never see her
again should she marry William Tay-
Tor. She did so however; but with
money and no introduction, it
was not easy for her husband to get
On and by degrees he went down in
world till he got about as low as he
possibly could get. He had on the
evening On which Joe met him gone in
10 the gambling room in the hope of
a little help from Mr.. Manvers,
who, at n time had great hopes of his
,wo daughters making good marriages.
They were then one of the principal
attractions of the saloon, and when his
girl married against his will he
aid that, were she starving, he would
help her. And he kept his word
or once in his lite faithfully. Lucy
would only stay with her father after
Ter sister left on condition that he
lever asked her to enter the saloon
gain so, as he could trust her better
han any ono else IL was bar dutv IN