The Springdale news., 1888-06-22
Under a CIOud;;
Clearing Himself.
BY JENNIE DAVIS BURTON. CONTINUED FROM LAST wEEK.)
CHAPTER XIII. AS EyESTFEL NIGHT.


 The air was full of soft snow-fiakes when Norris again found himself in the street The gas lamps were like dim, yellow blurs against the thiclenea atmosphere, ana the electric lights were liko hazy moons. Tbe sound of footsteps and the rattle of vehicles were untitled; cold blasts whistled about the corners; there would be hard freezing by and by, and bitter discomfort for all VI had to face the indictment night.
 Norris did not mind the cold, but h plunged along ut a great pace, intending tc take street ear for the avenue, but had no. yet reached tho line when he stopped suddenly, us a sharp cry, followed by 8 deep groan, came to his caf.
 .. The sounds proceeded from side street near ct hand, and remembering his own ex pesience ia that dark alley, he rau toward tue place 10 find q black heap upon the sidewalk. which lay silept as he ap preached.
 ! What Is the matter herei Are you hurt Whak has happened to you'"
 Fl slipped aud fel,n auswere1 gasp ing voice. Don't call any ona, please. III be-ab,e-to get up-after-awhile.h
 Il doubt it, was Norris mental com, ment. The thln. white face he WAS able to descry through the gloom was 70 wan and ghost-lilzc, the slender frame of the man SC attenuated beneath his thin clothing, that the other had no doubt of this being one oi those cases of miserable Restitution in which pride has it's part. Iaalling it's victims shrink from any thing ill the guisc of char fly.
 II fear you have seriously injured your self" he said, as a moan fCrced itself from the mans lips .. l will have an ambulance called, it will be the best plan, there is nc disgrace in being taken to the hospital and you will have proper care"
 :" Foy Gods sake-do3't" panted this strsneo sufferer. c'inging with a des persts clutch to tho others clothing sGe away aud leave me. l viii do very well but promise s-promise-n to send-any onen
 Norris could only soothe his agitation by giving his prom ise, and presently, with his ssistancc, tue poor fellow strv ggled upon his feet. Every moment was agony to hun ". he maintain cG that he would be able te get to his home: he was obliged to the gentleman, he would do quite well now.
 "You arc SD far from doing we'll that shall got hack IS soon as we reach the next street and send you home in il, said Norris, resolntcly. Come, lean on me for few steps Your foolish pride shall mol keep me from doing this much l would go along to sec you safely there, only that ain pressed for time"
 The gaunt figure was all of tremble eithcr with cold or terror; ke resisted wat all bis strength as Norris made an effort te lead him toward the thoroughfare.
 .sI will not-yeu shall aotI Do you want 10 ruin mel Can not you seq that l aIn afraid-afraid of being knownl I never asked you to help mo; don't waat you to stay with mo. Why will you persecute me sci Oh, good sir, do not be angry with me, but leave me as 1 ask'
 .De you mean that you havo been guilty of somo criminal aetfn asked Norris, steyn. ly. Well cvea ct that, don't think can leave you here to freeze 10 death Tell me where you wish t1 go-ta this home which you are 80 confident of reaching if leave you 10 yourself. Have you such q refuge left open to you, or is that a fabricationin
 Indeed. there Is such q place. At least, II rds stoppiag thcre. and l don't think they will refuse to take tne in now. ii's not very far"
 Then take my arm. Now lead the way ] must get you to some shelter, and ii may as well be there if the place is near
 Their progress was necessarily slow. The stranger leaned heavily on Norris arm, moving with painful and dragging steps, but protesting agalnst any pause, though his breathing came thick and heavy, and his overtasked strength seemed 10 be giving way. Through by-ways, by a dark and devious course. they came at last into narrow street which was crowded with small shops, mostly of second hand ltl-smnllinp ni md noisy saloons. At the side entrance of one of theso latter they finally paused, when Norris patience had become almost ex- hausted
 I'll not ask you to como in, sir. It's not a place whore gentleman would care to be seen, nor where one would be safe at all times You have ebccn-very-kind."
 Well, good night" :" said Norris, thrust ing his hand into his pocket, but before he could make up his mind to offer the coin which he held between his fingers, the door was flung back from within and an irate figure appeared in tho hght of smoky, kerosene lamp, which dimy illuminated the small bare hall and narrow stairway inside
 "Bedad, and IS 1t yersilf back, Miller, loike the bad penny ye arei Not n fut yell put beyant me doorstip till ye pays me tue boord yez are owin', dye moind, onless ye've q friend wid ycz"-his voice changing as he caught sight of the figure back vf his lodger-" as will stand good for the 'rears III not be hard wid ye, me lad, and it's httle Mike Maloncy wud mornd the bito and the bed if it worn't for the hard toimes and the growth fambly, but it's a matther of sNin- in-and-a-quarther the day, and only Inc bit of bag wid q tramp's wardrobe for security, which ain't worth the half of 1t. Win the gintleman payl"
 Help the poor fellow in. will pay you the arrears" said Norris, pitying the friendless condition of his charge Tho latter had sunk into 2 state of collapse at the appearance of his landlord. He scarce y seemed 10 hear what was being said as he leaned, weak and dizzy, against the uoor-frame. Mir. Maloney put his head into the saloon
 Tom, come here, win yc. Give US Q hand This way, sir yc shall acc the nlc- gant commodations yer trind hns wid me. as It dhrunk he is, the eraythur-apd him niver to spind nickel in mo house for the beer aither, the roguei'
 MOTIFS hastened to explain as he followed tho two men who helped Minerup the stairs
 M ||oQ8