The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-03-24
THE MILLINER'S GIRL.
How Banana lind Brought Her
a Husband.


How it rained, that bleak winter
night How mercilessly the torrents
came down, rebounding in sheets of
spray from the pavcments and swell
ing the cutters into miniature rivers!
Through the whitening mist the shop
windows hared dimly and the yellow
stars of the street lamps shone like
beacon lights far out at sea. There
were not rnany pedestrians on Broad
way that night, save those compelled
by grim necessity to face the storm;
and Guy Moreau, striding down the
western side, had the right of way all
to himself
There's no hurry, no. hurry in the
world" said Mr.. Moreau, calmly, to
himself. MY hat is ruined already,
and my coat is fit for nothing but the
outside pegs of a secondhand clothing
store. Consequently. Halo, here,
what's the matter?"
He stopped short at the sound of
slight scream, close to him. A shah
billy dressed young girl carrying load
Of oil-cloth-shielded bandboxes had
slipped on n piece of banana rind,
almost at his feet.
Guy Moreau made no pretensions to
the rank of Chevalier Bayard, but he
had kindly human heart within his
bosom, and stepped instantly forward
to help the young girl up
Not hurt, are you?" he asked
kindly.
The girl looked at him with big eyes
full of pain and terror
"My band boxes" faltered she, glanc-
ing eagerly around They're not wet,
are they?"
"No--but you are. Look at your
shawl, poor thing!"
''Oh, that's no matter" said she.
sit was very awkward of me to slip so,
and"
whats the matter now?" Moreau
asked
For she had stopped short in the at
tempt to move forward again.
I'm afraid my ankle is sprainedp
she walled. "Oh, dear, what shall l
do?''
''Sprained, is it? (Confound those peo-
pie who eat bananas and fling the rind
on the pavement inwardly muttered
Guy.) 'sLet me call hack" he added,
aloud.
''Oh, no, sir!" shrinking back 81
couldn't afford hack. Pm only mil
liners apprentice and all these hats
must be delivered before nine o'clock
tonight"
Guy looked rehectively down at the
. bandboxes, then at the pale, pretty
face, with its dark, Spanish eyes and
lashes sprinkled with rain.
I'm afraid you'll hardly manage it,
said he.
But must" said the girl, posi-
lively.
Cant you take 'em back to the
shop?"
IT'S closed for the night, and mad
anne would never forgive me for not de-
livering the hats. IL think could
walk very slowly"
Bat as she made the effort her cheeks
blanched once more with pain and a
low cry involuntarily escaped from her
lips.
No" said she, II can't walk. Oh,
what shall do?'
Guy knit his brows and considered a
moment.
How far from here do you live?" he
asked
son Blocker street-only a little
way-but the hats"
Don't fret about the hats, " said Mo-
reau. "I'll attend to the hats. How
many Of EN- are there? Ticlleted and
labeled all right? Here, lean on my
arm, and I'll take the Eand-boxes in
my left hand. Now, thenl Not too
fastr
Guy Moreau had never been in a
working woman's room before, and as
he stood on the threshold he could but
marvel at the aspect of utter destitu.
ton that pervaded it. A little girl who
was making artificial flowers by the
light of a kerosene lamp sprang to hel
feet at the sound of their steps.
"Oh, Nelly, are you hurt? What is
the matter9" cried she. what make:
you look SO white?"
ITS my little sister," said the girl
turning to her conductor Eve live
obliged to you!"
But when Guy Moreau was gone, ole
Mrs Macrabbin, who had come up
stairs to rub Nelly Knoxs ankle will
camphor, shooH her head gloomily a
the recital of the evenings adventure.
Wasn't he kind? And a perfec
stranger, too" said Nelly, radiantly
Poor dear!" said Mrs. Macrabbin
what do you know about the ways o
a ci+vo It's no WAYS likely that VOu'1
ever see hide nor hair of them Dor
nets again"
what do you mean?" cried Nelly
Indignantly.
"MeanP Why, that it's confdenc
game, to be sure, and your fine, gente'