, 1886-07-07
A MERE SCOUNDREL.

crimes. NO atom OF rOulhncc III ~ NJ
They were in humble circumstances
Not the humble circumstances which
poetry and the stage render picturesque;
but the dead level of lower middle-class
| life. The hero, and a less heroic hero
never breathed, was-dare l tell it?-serv-
ing behind a cheesenionger's counter. He
was young, tolerably good-looking, lazy,
unprincipled and dishonest. There, make
a hero II you can out of these qualities.
And yet two women loved him, nay, three;
but 1t is only with two that we need con-
Germ ourselves now. All, II 1t had not been
for these women could l ever have at
tempted to tell the poor weak s~coundrels
story They were W. of a numerous
class of young ladies employed by a large
draper in one of the northern
suburbs, and were not distin-
guished by beauty or refinement from
their companions. Perhaps they giggled
n little less and talked less -pertinaciously
about their W affairs while a customer
was waiting to be served. AS a rule,
young ladies in shops, magazines, or EN-
poriums, are chiefly remarkable for doing
their hair in the very latest fashion, call
ing each other dear" necessarily, and hav-
ing an immense number OF secrets to con-
fide. Mary Hodges and Ruth Stevens
were n little more staid and reserved than
HlOSt OIL tntlI COlltdB utS. LIB Nao ~
counted for in volatile minds by the fact
that Mary was IS If she was a day, n
that Ruth was too much under her infiu-
ence to be quite like other girls. They
were gre t friends. Mary felt a kind OF
protecting affection for the timid, retiring
girl who was almost alone in the world,
and Ruth conceived an enthusiastic de-
yotion for her protector and guide.
1t was a grand event for Ruth when
her friend invited her home to tea
one Saturday evening. 1t was also
the beginning of all her misfortunes;
but that she did not know then, and
perhaps never believed. Ruth went to
her own lodgings and changed the black
frock she wore in the shop for a pretty
grey one which was her best, and then the
two young women trudged through the
wet, dirty streets to Mary's home
"Perhaps your brother will be yexed at
your bringing me-" queried Ruth, ever
anxious to speak of that wonderful
brother of whom Mary had told her so
often.
"Dickf He'll be more than pleased, l
can tell you. He finds 1t dull at home
with only me to talk to. That's why he
goes out 80 often"
1t seemed anything but n dull home to
Ruth as they entered the little parlor,
which, with n couple of bedrooms, formed
the dwelling place of Dick and Mary
Hodges. 1t was only a small room, with
horsehair chairs and sofa, faded red cur
tains and well-worn carpet. The only at
tempts at aesthetic decoration were a few
stuffed birds in n case and a wax water
lily on a piece Of glass. But to Ruth, ac-
customed to IL dingier ~lonelier
apartment, 1t looked positively luxu-
rt,,,u .at1A -
by the be4ng of whom she had heard
and-dfeamt so much that she had lost
Iher foolish little heart without ever
having seen hims He, Dick, did &c affable
host MS well as he knew how. He was
not always In the most amiable tenn
per, for when things went wrong, and
they generally did go wrong, he was
surly and irritable. But tonight he
was in a heavenly frame of mind. He
helped Mary get the tea ready, he cut the
bread and butter, calling on Miss Stevens
to admire his domestic qualities. He
chaffed her about her young man, of course
e~liciting a vigorous protest that she should
never marry.
"Who could care about n girl with red
hair and such an ugly manner" she asked.
Whereupon Mr.. Dick declared her hair
was n lovely color, and that Ruth was his
favorite name, became it reminded him of
a young woman in the Bible who was
such an ~uncommonly loving little party.
5 h had two husbands" sighed Miss
Stevens. ~ don't think any woman ought
to nave that"
Not at the same time,r said Dick.
Which remark provoked n blush from
Miss Stevens, and the conviction, admir-
ingly expressed, hat he was Every
wicked"
Altogether, to Mary's great sat
isfaction, the brother whom she
adored, and the friend for whom
she felt such n warm affection, seemed
TO get on together wonderfully. When o
o'clock struck, and Ruth expressed her in
tention of going home, as she didn't like
to be out late, Dick told her she might
just us well sit down for another hour. as
1t wasn't likely he was going to allow a
pretty young lady to go home by herself
after dark. Then he mixed some hot
whisky punch, and insisted on each OF the
girls having a wine glassful. And when
Ruth refused, declaring she never drank
anything but water, he took hold OF her
round the waist and forced her to drink;
until, what with blushing, choking, and
laughing, Ruth's little pale face was as
red as n peony, and she altogether a differ
ent girl from the demure little person
who stood behind the counter at the drap-
cry establishment.
What IN eventful evening that wasl
What IL walk home when her escort in
sisted on going the longest wayl
How he pressed her hand beneath her
cloak aud browning audacity with
what cool self possession he kissed her
flushed check as they stood together on
the doorstepl No wonder that Ruth felt
US II the turning point in her life was
reached. No man had ever kissed her be
fore. No man had ever protested to find
beauty in the colorless face and eyes and
pale red hair.
That was only the first OF many walks
these two took together, until Mary hoped
and believed that her brorher was going
to give up the faults and follies OF his
youth and settle down into n respectable
married man.
AT this lime Mary's feeling In regard to
Dick were undergoing a change. She
hardly knew, aud certainly would not
have owned It, but her belief In him had
received many and severe shocks OF late.
Ever since she could remember, she, two
years his senior, had assisted him In every
way; with advice, which was appreciated
too little, and with money, which was mp
preciated too much. But recently she had
observed in him n callousness, a sort OF
brutality which filed her with surprise
and apprehension. ale will be all right
when he is married, I" she told herself,
not daring TO face the question whether
Ruth was the sort of woman to gain infu-
ence over him, or whether she would b,
borne down by the force OF his will and by
her love for him.
Affairs went on In the same way fol
some months. when Dick returning home
one evening threw himself on the horse
hair sofa and announced that he was
-chucked again"