Dodge City times., 1890-05-23
OUT IN TIE STREET.

reckless fashion.
Stella Ray, a poor little countr,
waif. staggered along curling before
the blast. her slender frame shiverina
with the cold.
The clock in a neighborhing steeple
struck the hour of midnight as she lef,
the main thorOughfare and turned
about by long brick building with
tall chimneys.
A dark archway afforded relief from
the biting blast. and as she stepped
within. sense of giddiness overcame
her, and she sunk unconscious upon
the cold pavements.
| When she opened her eyes she found
herself in the engine-rOOm of the great
mill, seated in an armchair.
A man was supporting her head and
looking at her anXiously.
He was young gman-twenty-tive or
so, with a pleasant, brOwn-bearded
face.
He wore a big, shaggy overcoat. and
a cap pulled down over his ears in a
most unbecoming fashion, but he had
a pair of honest brown eyes, and Stella
took courage as she looked at him.
Il fear l have made you great deal
of trouble" she said deprecatingly.
He made a gesture of dissent.
You are better" he said, ''nOw tell
| me how you came on the streets so late
on so wild night"
Il had no where to CO." she said.
The woman with whom l lived, up
river in N, died fortnight ago.
Il came to the city and tried to get
work. but could not. My boarding
mistress turned me away because l had
no more money.
Il have been everywhere to-day for
work. couldn't get a nights shelter
without money to pay for it.
Il was half-dead with cold and ia
tigue when you found me-"
While she was talking the man pro-
duced tempting looking sandwich
from large tin pail and gave it to
her.
Il am sure you have told me the
TRUTH he said. You shall stay here
tonight am watchman here. In
the morning l will take you to my
boarding place. Perhaps can find
work for yOu."
You are very good" returned Stel-
Ia, simply.
He fixed resting place for her upon
pile of burlap in one corner. and
then went out of the room. leaving her
there alone.
1t was warm and clean there, and
Stella. utterly worn out, drifted into
slumber.
But she was awake when Jack Hay
den came for her in the gray morning.
and accompanied him trustingly
Jack commended her to the mercies
of his landlady. Mrs. Pike, and after
eating his breakfast went off to bed.
What was his indignation on getting
up at noontime, to find that Mrs. Pike
had turned Stella QUIT
Il couldn't keep her. Mr.. Hayden"
she explained. Il intend to keep a re-
spectacle house. The engineer says
that she was there with YOU when he
arrived at the mill this morning; and
according to her own story she was
wandering about the streets when you
took her in."
Honest Jack Hayden stared at her in
speechless wrath for few seconds.
Couldn't you see that she was just
an innocent little country girl?" he de-
manded. "And you turned her into
the streets day like this?"-waving
his hand toward the windO- against
which the snow was fiercely driving.
''How long has she been gomez"
'Just about one minute, returned
Mrs. Pike, shortly.
Jack whirled at this, and catching
his hat and overcoat from nail in the
hall, went out of the house like cy-
clone.
Which way?
He looked up and down the street,
struggling into his overcoat.
One way led to the river.
He fancied he saw "a slender figure;
in the gray suit which she wore, mov-
ing slowly in that direction; accord
ingly he tore away after it. .
He overlook her just as she reached
the wharf.
There was q feverish flush on her
cheeks, and wild look in her eyes.
She burst into tears at the sight of
him.
He chafed her little cold hands in
his great paws, and tried to shield her
from the storm.
Hold up bit, little girl" he said,
after a moments rapid thought. Il
don't see but you and I will have to
get married"
Stella gave little gasp.
Il know" he went on. it seems kind
o. queer and sudden; but can't have
you starve or drown yourself. I'll
never eat another blessed meal with
Mrs. Pike, and I've been thinking how
nice it would be to go to housekeeping
with nice little woman to bake my
bread and sew on my buttons. I've
often thought so: but then don't.
know many women, and never seemed
to feel inclined to ask any one of these
I do know. We sort o. need each 9th. |
er-don't you see? Now, l must b 1t |
the mill at s o'clock.
If you come with me to the magis- |
trate's Office well 10 married right |
away; then / can take you to . hotel
and send my trunk there, and to-mors
row well hunt up . tenement and 90 |
to housekeeping. What do you sayf"
Il say, yes" she faltered. land the
Lord help me to do my duty by you"
Il guess He win. my DEAR" said
Jack. tucking her hand under hts
rough coat-sleeve.
It was 80 strange-so like dream
to Stella, even though they were mar
ried by . stupid old justice in . stufy
little Office. and went house-hunting
together next day in the most prosaio
fashion.
Soon they were settled in coy lit
tie tenement. where Stella astonished
Jack anew each day BY some Ito him)
wonderful accomplishment, in the art
of housekeeping.
A for Stella, al her heart went into
his keeping.
Three months sped By happily enough
b both.
0ns evening. Jack. having jammed
~ ha1d q the mill, eams home unex-
psqtsilx --,...