Mexico weekly ledger., 1889-03-14
CHAPTER XIII.
AN NIGHT.

The air was full Of soft snow-flakes when
Norris again found himself III the street.
The gas lamps were like dim, yellow blurs
against the thickened atmosphere, and the
electric lights were like hazy Moons. The
sound of footsteps and the rattle of vehicles
were muffied; cold blasts whistled about
the corners; there would be hard freezing
by and by. and bitter discomfort for all who
had to face the incienent night.
Norris did not mind the cold, but he
plunged along at a great pace, intending &c
take a street car for the avenue, but ha6
not yet reached the line when he stopped
suddenly, as a sharp cry, followed by o
deep groan, caTne to his ear.
The sounds proceeded from. d side street
near at hand. and remembering his own TX
perience IN that dark alley, he ran toward
the place, to find a black heap upon the
sidewalk, which lay silent as he ap-
preached.
;'What is the matter here2 Are you hurt3
What has happened to your
al slipped and feIl,' answered a gasp
ing voice. Don't call any one, please. TE
be-ab!e-to get up-after-awhiie."
"Idoubt it," was Norris mental com.
ment. The thin, white face he was able to
descry through the gloom was so wan and
SlOoL1thts INC iIN II Glii1t VI Az AlidL "
attenuated beneath his thin clothing, that
the other had no doubt of this being one OF
those cases of miserable restitution in
which pride has its part, making it's victims
shrink from any thing in the sulse of char
ity.
81 fear you hive seriously injured your
self" he said, rs u moan forced itself from
the mans lips. 81 viii have an ambulance
called, it will be the best plan; there is no
disgrace in being taken to the hospital,
n you will have proper care"
"For Gods ~sake-don't,' painted this
strange sufferer, clinging with a DIES.
perate clutch to the others clothing. go
away and leave me. ! will do very well,
but promise -pronise-not to send any
one.f'
Norris could only soothe his agitation by
giving his promise, and presently, with his
assistance. the poor fellow struggled upon his
feet. Every moment was agony to him,
yet he maintained that he would be able to
get to his home: he was obliged to the
gentleman, he would do quite well now.
"You are so far from doing well that /
shall get a hack as soon as we reach the
next street and send you home in it." said
Norris, rosolutely. Come. lean on me for
a few steps. Your foolish pride shall not
keep me from doing this much would 60
along to see you safely there. only that I am
pressed for time"
The gaunt figure was all of a tremble
either with cold or terror; he resisted with
all his strength as Norris made an effort to
lead him toward the ~thorougtfare.
Il will not-you shall not DO you want
TO ruin me! Can not you sec that / am
afraid-afraid of being knoyrn3 I never
/ aSlnfi tat1 ~ tai4, rsa Y don't tys1y ~ tn
stay with me. Why will you persecute me
SOL Oh, good sir. do not be angry with me,
but leave me as l ask"
do you mean that you have been guilty
Of some criminal aet!!'' asked Norris. stern,
F. "Weil. even ut that, l don't think I car
leave you here 10 freeze to death. Tell me
where you wish 10 go-te this home which
you are SO confident of reaching il I leave
/ You to yourself. Have you such a refuge
left open to you, or is that a fabrieationY'
"1ndeed, there is such a place. At least,
IL Tas stor ping there, and j don't think
they viii refuse to take NE in now. Its
not very far
"Then take my arm. Now lead the way
i must get you to some shelter, and it may
as well be there il the place is near.s
Their progress was necessarily slow,
The stranger leaned heavily on Norris
arm. moving with painful and dragging
steps. but protesting against any pause
though his breathing came thick ant
heavy, and his overtasked strength seeraed
TO be giving way. Through liysxays, by i
dark and devious curse. they eame at last
into q narrow street which was crowded
with small shops, mostly OF secondhand
wares, iiisrnelling clothsag stores ant
noisy saloons. At the side entrance Of ons
OF these latter they finally caused, wheI