The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1891-01-24
Select gtOrg.
FOUND!

FIoil tllc hSHliSihhuo -hoSshhS'
1t was getting late; the last omnibus had
gone, and the few remaining pedestrians in
the Euston Road were hurrying homeward,
anxious TO leave that dismal thoroughlare
behind. The footsteps, gradually growing
fainter, seemed to leave a greater desola-
ton, though one man at least appeared to
be in no hurry as he strobe listlessly along,
as if space and time were of one accord to
him. A tall, powerful figure, with bronzed
features and long brown beard, betrayed
the traveller, and, in spite of the moody ex-
preston of face, there was kindly gleam
in the keen gray eyes-the air of one who,
though he would have been a determined
enemy, would doubtless have proved an
equally staunch friend.
A neighboring clock struck twelve, and
Lancelot Graham increased his pace; any
thing was better than the depressing gloom
of this dismal thoroughfare, with its ap-
pearance of decayed gentility and desolate
grimy pretentiousness. But at this mo-
ment smart pull at the pedestrians coat
tails caused him to turn round sharply,
with all his thoughts upon pick pockets
bent. But what he saw was the figure Of
child barring his path, as if intent upon
obstructing his further progress.
''I'se lost said the little one simply;
twill you please find me ~
Graham bent down, so that his face was
on level with the speaker. They were
Immediately beneath II gas-lamp, and the
astonished man, as he gazed carefully at the
child, found her regarding him with eyes
of preternatural size and gravity. There
was not one particle of fear in the small
face, in its frame of bright sunny hair
nothing but the calm, resolute command OF
one who issues orders and expects them to
be obeyed; child quantity, but none the
less handsomely dressed, aRd evidently well
cared for and nourished.
Graham pulled his beard in some per
plexity, and looked round with faint an
ticipation of finding policeman. Likt
most bis men, he had a warm corner in hi
heart for children, and there was something
in the tiny mites imperiousness which at
tracted him strangely.
"And whose little girl are you ?" HI
asked, gravely.
"Tse mammals, and Use lost, and pleas,
will you find me p
"But have found you, my DEAR" Ora
ham responded belplessly, but not without
an inward laugh at the childish logic,
eyes, but you haven't found me prop'ly
| want to be found nice, and taken hom,
to mamma, because Use so dreffiy hungry.
The ingenious speaker was, without doubt
the child of refined mother, as her accent
and general air betrayed. 1t was nic
quandary, nevertheless, for single man
said Lance Graham to herself, considerin:
the hour and the fact of being a prisone
in the hands of an imperious young lady
who not only insisted upon being found
but made point of that desirable consum
nation being conducted in an orthodo,
manner.
"Well, we will see what we can do 70
you" said Graham, becoming interested
as well as amused. "But you must tell m
where you live, little one"
She looked at him with quiet scorn, as
such question from man was altogethe
illogical and absurd But, ont of eonsid
ere ion for such lamentable Ignorance, tn
enid vouchsafed the desired information.
"Why"-with widely open blue eyes
'I live with mamma p
"This is awful" groaned the questione
"And where does mamma live ?''
"Why, she live with me; we both liv
together"
Graham leaned against the lamp-post an
laughed outright. To lonely man in Lor
don-and Alexander Selkirk in his soIitud
: was no more excluded from his fellows tina
a stranger in tOwn-the strange convers
ton was at once pleasant and piquan
/. When he recovered himself little,
asked, with becoming and respectful gray
j ty, for little information concerning IL