Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1891-06-14

smiled n,rec0gnltlOn OF the iOrlOrn DIT or
humOr and threw the coin into the hat.
The man took it out between his fore
finger and thumb, delicately, as a pres
tidigitateur might, and by quick
movement caused it TO disappear. My
thanks, captain" he said. Another
time | will do as much for yOa."
just then there was a roar and rush,
and changing of bells and asnorting of
steam sweeping across the head of the
road, u couple OF rods off. 1t was fire
engine, galloping headong to its desti-
nation toward the eastern water front.
The counts horses were spirited crea-
lures, and not as yet thoroughly broken
in TO New York customs. They made
spring, reared, and sprang again TO get
away. The coachman braced himself,
but felt that he could not control them.
The count, who had placed one foot upon
the step, withdrew it just in time to
escape being knocked down by the for
ward urch of the carriage.
But the shabby man was enteprising
in more ways than in collecting eleemo-
synary eagles. He jumped nimbly to
the heads of the horses and caught at
the bits. He might have been success
Jul in stopping them, but that his hat,
being too large, was in some way jerked
off his head, and fell upon the nose OF
the horse, who tossed it up in the air,
and having got to the end OF his endur-
ance made desperate plunge. The pole
of the carriage struck the man on the
left shoulder, swinging him round to-
ward the right He still clung to the
reins with his right hand, but he was
being dragged before the near horse,
and after moment or two his hold
slipped, and he fell on his back with his
head toward the curb. The wheels
passed over his legs below the knee, and
! his left leg was broken. Meantime a
/ policeman had come up, and contrived
to stop the horses, and Count de Isle
stopped over the fallen man.
Are you badly hurt?" he asked him.
cone leg gone, captain. Shouldn't
mind if had a carriage OF my own; but,
being as it is, it's incOnyenient
"Ill call an ambulance, sir" said the
policeman to Isle These fellers is a.
ways gettin' in the way. Serves him
right
Got my ten dollars all the same,
Bobby dear" murmured the crippled
man.
My carriage is not an ambulance "
said the count TO the man; but IL you
think you can stand il I'll drive you to
my own house. You can be looked after
as well as if you were at the hospital. "
Never mind about the ambulance,
Bobby" said the man; this gentleman
4 I nil f.
get in the way, my good fellow. Now,
captain, am at your service"
| He was lifted into the carriage, and
his leg supported on a bundle OF car
riage rugs. The count took his seat be-
side him, and they set out. The pave
ments were New York pavements, and
did their best to add to the torture OF
the sufferer but the carriage had Won
derful springs, so elastic that their prog
ress seemed more like sailing than driv-
! ing.
AND where might your residence be,
if may be so bold as to inquire, cap
tain?" said the man, in al interval be-
tween two gruntS of pain.
The count mentioned its situation.
''Bless me-" exclaimed the other.
Not really. Well, well! SO the old
house is to have an occupant at last.
Well, Declare
You appear 10 have been familiar
with it?" said the count, amused.
In measure, yes. l knew Harry
Trent wel--very well. He built that
house 10 live in-as he thought: but in
stead of living in it he was murdered in
it. Mysterious, captain, the ways OF
Providence, Poor old Harry. Friend
of yours, sir?"
II have met him. Who are you?"
"Alonzo Garcia is my name, captain.
Sounds Italian. doesn't it? Well. | am
of foreign extraction. Since my bust
ness connection with Trent was severed
by his deceaSe have met with some re-
verses financial'and other"
What caused them?"
Now there is curious point" ven
tured the other; very curious to one
who is interested in the viciSSitudeS OF
life. The person directly influential in
causing my disaster was the woman
formerly known as Sally Matchin, but
now as the widow of this same Harry
Trent. That fascinating but fatal
woman, captain, put me in Jail on base
| less charge, and only got out week
ago. was the best friend she ever had,
and she used me for all she thought |
was worth. But am free man again
now, and only one leg gone. | think the
other may vet do me to get up with
Mrs. Salie and recall myself to her re-
collection. All. here we are"
"Alonzo Garcia" said the count to
himself, as he followed the servants
who were carrying the cripple into the
house. Have | ever heard Of him be-
fore? l shouldn't wonder If | might
make some use Of him."