The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-05-15
BY ACCIDENT.

''The last dollar! My poor EthelP'
Lillian Turner looked from the dollar in
her hand 60 the sleeping child, whose pale,
pinchyd face showed so plainly the want OF
food.
IF it wasn't for you, my little sister,
would end it ALL" Size pressed a loving
kiss on the little face and left the room.
Slowly she descended The stairs and went
ont on the busy street 1t was very warm
and sunny. but she did not notice. Needless
Of everything but the fact that before
another day passed they would be homeless
she walked on.
a wild shrek, a slim form darling under
horses heads and between vehicles, little
child pulled from beueath the uplifted hOofs
of pair Of pTancing bays, and then the
crowd that gathered saw Leslie Austin bend
over the silent form of the brave girl who
had saved his mothcrIess child from an
awful death.
IiIIian's eyes flew open. For an instant
she gazed into a pair OF deep, thoughtful
brown eyes aud then everything grew dark.
"Ethelw
Il was a very faint whisper, but the child
heard it and spranE to the bedside.
"0h! Lii, you are beitcr?'
"Why, have / been iil?"
ESQ i'll litt lliE utClUA Satu Abu
would not get better at first. Il Is nearly
two months now since he brought you
home; and he las been SO good to me; and
HE! What-who do you mean, Ethel2"
"Why Mr.. Austin, the gentleman whose
daughter ycu SaYed-dOn't you remember,
"Ye.. dear partly. What happened
aftGr?"
AFTER he brought you home? He has
been here every day since. The nurse ne
sent saws he can't pay you half the debt he
ewes. Aud, oh, LII the child danced up
and down in her joy-'he says l shall 60 to
school with Irene, tie little girl you saved;
Hush, Ethel; that's enough. am tired
now"
Size turned her head away that the little
enc might not see her tears. How good be
had been-an entire strangerl But she
th0ught debts OF this kind were often
troublesome Doubtless he thought him
self bound to repay them, and yet he did
not know how TO end the debt.
She tried 10 think how she might 20 to
work to support herself and Ethel. Then
she stopped and looked across the room to
where Ethel sat Her rosy face had lost all
She hungry. pnched look. A handsomely
bound " Cbatierbox rested on her lap.
How happy she looked Could she, Lillian,
support her and give her the education she
should have? But 10
"Ahl my child. you are bettPT?"
a cOWely, mlddle-aged woman had en-
tered ana stood with a bowl of steaming
ssYory broth in her hand, which she said
he invalid must take
'For you see, my dear, it is the loveliest
af weather, and Mr. Austin wants to DuBg
his little daughter to see y0u." she said.
TIE weeks few by. Lillian was at last
able to sit up. Every day Leslie Austin
came, sometimes with new book, some
times fruit; but one day when he came no
pretty pale lace flushed as he opened the
door. The room was empty. a little note
on the mantel explained why she had gone:
DEAR Mr.. AUSTIN: You have been very
kind, bur We must not trespass longer on your
bounty. / am able 10 wOrk, and must DO so for
EihePs sake. 1hAnk you Tor your kindness.
Please forget. Yours LILLIAN TURNER.
A little smile curved Austin's liDs as he
read it. Then look Of anxiety crossed his
handsome face.
Foolish child" he exclaimed "She
knew loved her, WHAT was she thinking
efP
He hurried from the house. But, although
be searched untiTingly, no traces Of her
could be found.
A year passed and people said Leslie
Austin was changed terribly He never
appeared 10 society, and at last the fashion
able world gave him up, and only his little
Irene knew the bitter sorrow which had
been his.
group Of fashionable young men stood
en- the STEPS of BTechin Block. They were
discussing the --latest scandal, the intrigues
the loves and falliDgs Of their acquaintance
IA general.
a say, Austin" cried Elmer Robbins,
addressing tai, palefaced man a few steps
shove him, you are missing half your life
Madame has new Fundamentally
lowell here they come now. Madame's new
turnout and companion"
smart carriage drawn by pair of high
stepping horses was coming down the street.
IA il sat two ladies, the elder a large,
rather handsome woman, was driving. AS
they neared the crowd OF young men an
other carriage came flying up the street
The horses were running mady The driver,
& red-faced, bFutal-l0Oking man, raised his
whip aud blow after blow rained down on
the helpless beasts.
The younger of the two women in the
other carriage leaned forward as though to
Ipeag. The Infatuated horses plunged for
ward and in a moment the two carriages
we're dashed together.
Once again Leslie Austin found himself
bonding over the pale face of Lillian TuT-
per. She opened her eyes and as they met
bis she muTmurcd:
Leslie, am SO gladW and tainted from
sheer JOY. Aud so they met again, were
married, and, as the old story-book says,
were happy ever after"