The Lebanon express. (Lebanon, Linn County, Or.) 1887-1898, 1890-07-04
OUT In TIE STREET.

shutters and shaking signs in most
reckless fashion.
Stella Ray a poor little country
waif, staggered along curling before
the blast. her slender frame shivering
with the cold.
The clock in n neighborhing steeple
struck the hour of midnight rs she left
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 oyercame
her, and she sunk unconscious upon
the cold pavemeu,s.
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 a young man-twenty-iive or
so. with pleasant, brown-bearded
face.
He wore a big, shaggy overeoat. and
q cap pulled down over his ears in
most unbecoming fashion. hut he had
pair of honest brown eyes. aud Stella
took courage as she looked nj him.
4 fear l have made YOU a great deal
of trouble" she said deprecaiinsly.
He made 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 GO" she said.
The woman with whom | lived. up
river in N, died a fortnight ago.
Il came TO the city and tried to get
work. but could not. Ny boarding
mistress turned me away because had
no more money.
Il have been everywhere to-day for
work. couldn't get nights shelter
without money 10 pay for il.
Il WAS half-de.d with cold and IA
tigue when you found me"
While she was talking the man pro-
duced tempting looking sandwich
from large lin pail and gave it TO
her.
Il am sure you have told me the
truth, he said. You shall STAY here
tonight am watchnan here. In
the morning l will take you TO my
boarding place. Perhaps | can lind
work for Nou."
You are very good, : returned Stel-
la, simply.
He fixed resting place for her upon
a pile of burlap IN one corner. and
then went ont OF the room. leaving her
there alone.
1t was warm and clean there, aud
Stella, utterly worn out drif.ed into
slumber.
But she was awake when Jack Hay
den came for her in the gray morning.
and accompanied him trustingly.
Jack commended her 10 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 outi
Il couldn't keep her, Mr.. Hayden
she explained q intend TO keep a re-
spectacle house. The engineer saws
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
speeehless wrath for a 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 a dav like thisp"-waving
his hand toward the window against
which the snow was fiercely driving
"How long has she been gomez"
Just about one minute, returned
Mrs. Pike, shortly.
Jack whirled mt this, and catching
his hat and overcoat from a nail in the
hall. went out of the house like cy-
clone.
Which waye
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, NOV
ing slowly in that directions; accord
ingly he tore away after it.
He overlook her just as she reached
the wharf.
There was a feverish flush on her
cheeks, and wild look in her ewes.
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 moments rapid thought. Il
don't see but you and L will have to
get married"
Stella gave little gasp.
81 know" he went on. it seems kind
o. queer and sudden; but | can't have
you starve or drown yourself. I'll
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
/ do know. We sort o need each 9TH
er-don't You see? Now, l must be at
the mill at o'clock.
IF you come with me to the magis-
trate's Office we'll be married right
away; then i can take you to hotel,
and send my trunk there, and to-mor-
row we'll hunt up a tenement and 90
to housekeeping. What do you sayP"
Il say, yes,n she faltered. 'and the
Lord help me to do my duty by YOU"
Il guess He will, my dear" said
Jack. tucking her hand under his
rougn coat-sieeve.
1t was so strange-so like dream
to Stella, even though they were mar
ried by stupid old justice in stuffy
little office and went house-hunting
together next day in the most prosaic
fashion.
Soon they were settled in cozy lit
tie tenement, where Stella astonished
Jack anew each day by some Ito him)
wonderful accomplishment, in the art
of housekeeping.
As for Stella, all her heart went into
his keeping.
Three months sped by happily enough
to both.
one evening. Jack. having jammed