Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1891-04-06

s.aaKIng the drenclleu ylOum by the co.
lar of the long overcoat.
The unfortunate man gave no sign of
life.
Somebody procured some brandy, and
while the policeman was trying 10 force
it between his charges lips, young man
carrying physicians medicine case ell
bowed his way through the crowd,
glanced at the pallid face, seized the
hands, and felt the pulse, then bent over
and laid his ear close to the heart.
For moment not a word was spoken /;
then the young doctor uttered startled
exclamation. and, raising his head, said
with grave decisions
. 1t is too late. This unfortunate man
is dead"
The awestricken silence which fol-
lowed this announcement was broken by
the policeman, who asked, addressing
Alfred:
"Who is he? Do you know him?n
No; never saw him until he fell into
the water. Perhaps we may find out by
searching his pockets"
On both sides strange but not unkindly
hands were thrust into the capacious
pockets of the big overcoat.
There were bags of sweets, nuts. and
oranges, and a package of tiny colored
wax candles.
Presentsl For whom?
For the children of the drowned man,
who were, no doubt, at this very moment
watching for his return.
Tears rushed to the eyes of more than
one man in gazing upon this affecting
sight, and explanations of, by George,
that's hard!" His poor wife and little
ones!" and "Saddest thing ever saw!"
arose on all sides.
As for Alfred, his young heart, not yet
hardened by newspaper experience,
seemed almost ready to burst with the
emotion he felt.
For the time being he quite forgot the
motive which had originally induced him
to take such an eager interest in this
strangers misfortune namely, the
chance of securing good "news story"
for the paper upon which he had yet his
reputation to make.
What's this?h said the policeman.
taking soiled envelope from the inside
pocket of the dead mans coat. Here's a
name-'August Faltot'-and the address
of No. 9 Patchin place. Wen have to
take him to the morgue to await identifi-
cation, and send somebody to inquire at
this address.
The young reporter at once volunteered
to got to Patchin place.
Indeed, he was the only one in the
rfx lar d.
place was, it being not far from his own
home.
Once on the car, going toward his des-
tination, Alfred's newspaper instinct re-
asserted itself, and he began to turn over
in his mind the manner in which he
should write up" the sad adventure.
And the adventure itself-how was it
going to turn out?
The thought caused him much uneasi-
ness, but he had no time to dwellupon it,
for the car was soon passing the entrance
to Patchin place.
Alfred sprang off, and resolutely
marched into the narrow thoroughfare.
No. 8 was one of a row of shabby three
story houses of brick.
On every door post were three bell
knobs, one for each floor.
Under these knobs were written the
names of the tenants.
Alfred's heart beat wildly as he read
"A. Faltots bell.
He pulled it nervously, and in a mo-
ment the summons was answered by
rale, pleasant faced woman, who looked
ct him inquiringly, and then glanced
uown the street, as if she We're expecting
some one else.
SIS Mr.. Faltot in? mean does he live
here?"
He lives here, was the reply, land l
am expecting him home every minute.
Wont you come upf"
Alfred followed her up narrow fight
of stairs to the second floor, where one
large apartment served the family for
kitchen, parlor, and living room, while
two little bedrooms and a pantry closet
completed the suite.
Everything, however, was clean, bright,
and cheerful.
Three children We're playing about
boy of eight years and two younger
girls.
The happy scene smote Alfred to the
heart when he thought of the terrible
cloud that hung over it ready to break.
He felt like relentless monster. and
wondered how he had ever consented to
bring his fatal message.
My husband is late, said Mrs. Fal-
tot, offering him chair. 1T is Satur-
day night, you know, and there's extra
shopping to do, isn't there, children 2"
and she glanced merrily to ber boy and
girls.
Alfred thought of the colored wax
candles and the water soaked parcels in
the pockets of that long, black overcoat.
Alfred mentally was suffering keenly.
When Mrs. Faltot asked him his name
and if he were acquainted with her
husband he was glad to gain a little time
by stammering out in reply:
Yes, ma'am--that is to say have met
him-at least / have seen him, you
know. IL
Il thought, perhaps, you might be
connected with the shop where he
works" she continued, not observing
his embarrassment. %You see, this is
going to be an unusually happy year for
US, because now things are beginning to
go so well. BY husband was out of
work for a long time, but now he has
good, steady situation at Noels. So we
can afford to have little jollification.
Madam. cried Alfred hoarsely, un-