Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-06-07
CHAPTER II.


the apparition of a handsome lad, seem
ingly some is years of age. A quizzical
light came into his bold, dark eyes.
Yes, he answered, unhesitatingly, Civ
ing his parcel into the eager hands ex-
tended to receive it. You've dropped
down from heaven just in the nick of time,
my fine young fellow. Here's a dollar for
your Troublesome along.
Dulcie clutched the bright silver piece;
but she followed the stranger reluctantly.
She had not observed before accOsting
him that he was both young and strik-
ingly handsome.
1t was now afternoon. She had sold
more papers, ran several errands, and was
getting accustomed to her masquerading
attire. Everything had gone smoothly
since encouEtering the lad so like herself,
and she was beginning to find an odd sort
of enjoyment in the novel situation.
But 1t was all gone IN moment. Her
head dropped, her heart beat fast, and her
footsteps Jagged.
why are you hanging back?" Guy Man
deville impatiently demanded. Wv atching
your chance to make of with my posses
sions, you young rascal?"
"Oh, no, sir.
"Come up, then. Keep close beside me.
Have you far to go, sir?"
Only few squares. I've paid like
prince. Come along.
Dulcie felt ashamed of her hesitation.
What was there to fear? So, staggering
under the weight of the bundle, she kept
pace with the strange gentleman.
Stealing q swift glance into his dark
face, she detected there a look of sneering
| triumph. Presently Guy said:
! is this how you earn a living my young
frieno-carrying parcels and running er-
rands?"
yes, sir; that is, I'm just making be-
aHumphi It can't be very pleasant or
| very remuneratiVe. Perhaps 1 can help
you to something better.
Thank you, sir; but do not wish to
make any change" Dulcie answered with
! flushing cheeks.
Not IF I put you in the way of making
a fOrtune?"
mo, sir.
SO you are not ambitious?" throwing
back his head with loud laugh.
Strange. Most lads in your situation
would jump at chance to better them
selves"
Presently they reached Fifth Avenue
| Hotel, Guy Mandeville's destination.
Dulcie paused on the steps, and with ready
/ presence of mind thrust her bundle
into the hands of servant who was just
passing.
Guy gave her a black look, but it
/ changed instantly. He caught her hand,
/ a winning smile played about his lips
| Few could resist that smile.
Don't leave me. I'm deeply interested
in you. Come into the hotel and tell me
all about yourself"
Did he suspect? A thrill of deeper fear
shot through Dulcies heart. Without a
word, she broke away and da1ted down the
steps.
Guys first impulse was pursuit, but the
street was full of people, and he thought
better of it. Approaching a policeman, he
said hurriedly:
You see that lad with the pink and
white face? It's a girl; 1 know her ]
want to punish her-teach her q lesson.
Arrest her for appearing in the street in
male attire. Take her to the nearest sta
tion-house; I'll look after the rest.
All right, sir. e."
Every word reached DuIcie's ears. Stag
gering few steps further on through the
hurrying crowd, she sank, -fainting
in low, dark doorway.
What followed seemed like a dream
While she crouched there tremblingly, q
naughty voice reached her ears, raised In
indignant protest.
Let me 60. How dare you lay your vile
I hands on me?"
A woman's voice, clear as a silver bell
Dulcie raised her head and was amazed tC
see the lad so singulagly like herself
struggling In the rude grasp OF the police
man. Her mysterious counterpart haG
appeared on the scene just in time to meet
the fate intended for herself,
Come and be locked up, you ragamuf,
, fin. " angrily cried the mistaken officer
"Ill teach you to take that tone with me.
What have I dOne?"
Done, my little lad-ny girl, I mean
, Don't you know you've violated the law by
putting yourself in boys clothes? Come
along"
And the great strong man drew the cul
prit in the direction of the station house
Dulcie scarcely dared breathe until thu
o / Nd had 6fCo-,v7nopaH
3 Vaudeville, chuckling audibly at the sue
t cess of his ruse entered the hotel.
/ Then she emerged from her hiding
S place and hurried through the sunli
i streets back to the shabby attic room IL
the riekety old tenement house.
Il viii never masquerade sgainl" sh
e sOb6ed, hurriedly throwing of the Dor
e rowed garments and resuming her own at
t tire.
3 When Mrs. Briggs entered presently
her Daniels clothes, rolled into a bundle
2 were thrust out of sight behind a chair
f and Dulcie sat weeping at the window.
q L wish I'd never put them on, criei
the girl, her sobs bursting out afTesh.
:, Mrs Briggs looked at the heap Of silve
, On the table and sighed.
Q 1T must have been a great trial. poo
y dear. But don't cry. Here's none
enough to keep you several days. NJ
" Dan Ell amt nowhere beside you for pick
II ing up the dimes. 1t must have been al
d because of your poOty face.
6 Long after the good woman went ava
= Dulcie sat thinking deeply of what hat
= occurred It was impossible to forget tn
poor creature shut within the dreary wall
Y of the statiOn-house.
n That man was right, she told her
d self. "The prisoner must be a young gil
p like myself whom want or danger ha
st driven into that strange disguise.
is 1t mattered little whether the handsOm
stranger knew the poor soul as he ha
{, claimed, or not, DuIcie felt responsible
is for her arrest, since it was the result C
a an unfortunate resemblance. But for til