The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1893-04-08
THE MILLINER'S GIRL.
How a Banana Rind Brought Her
q Husband

How it rained, that bleak winter
night! How mercilessly the torrents
came down, rebounding in sheets of
spray from the pavements and SWELL
ing the cutters into miniature rivers!
Through the whitening mist the shop
windows flarcd dimly and the yellow
stars of the street lamps shone like
beacon lights far out at sea. There
were not tnany 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 secondhand clothing
store. Consequently. Halo, here,
what's the matter?"
He stopped short ut the sound of
slight scream, close to him. A shah
billy dressed young girl carrying a load
of oil-cloth-shielded bandboxes had
slipped on piece of banana rind,
almost at his feet.
Guy Morcau 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 your he asked
kindly.
The girl looked at him with big eyes
full of pain and terror.
"My bandboxes!' 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 ia the at
tempt to move forward again.
I'm afraid my ankle is spraincdr'
she walled. "Oh, dear, what shall l
do?"
.'Sprained, is It? (Confound those peo-
pie who cat bananas and ding the rind
on the pavement!' inwardly muttered
Guy.) "Let me call hack" he added,
aloud.
..Oh, no, sir!" shrinking back. II
couldn't afford hack. I'm only mil
liners apprentice and all these hats
must be delivered before nine o'clock
tonight"
Guy looked refectivcly down at the
bandboxes, then at the pale, pretty
face, with its dark, Spanish eyes and
lashes sprinl1led with rain.
''I'n afraid you'll hardly manage it, :"
said he.
But / musts' said the girl, post
lively.
Cant you take 'em back to the
shop?"
ats closed for the night, and mad
anne would never forgive me for not de-
livering the hats. IL think could
walk very slowly"
But as she made the effort her checks
blanched once more with pain and n
low cry involuntarily escaped from her
lips.
No" said she, II can't walk. Oh,
what shall do?'
Guy knit his brows and considered q
moment.
'sHow far from here do you live?" he
asked.
ION Bleecker strect-only little
way-bnt the hatsl"
Don't fret about the hats" said Mo-
reau. "I'll attend ito the hats. How
many OF 'em are there? Ticketed and
labeled all right? Here, lean on my
arm, and I'll take the hand-boxes in
my left hand. Now, then! Not too
fast!'
GUY MORGAN 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 1t. A little girl who
was making artificial flowers by the
light of kerosene lamp sp-ang to her
feet at the sound of their steps
..Oh, Nelly, are you hurt? What is
the matter9" cried she. What makes
You look so white?"
ats my little sister" said the girl.
turning TO her conductor. I'VE live
here together. Oh. sir, am very much
obliged to you!"
But when Guy Moreau was gone, old
Mrs. Macrabbin, who hid come up
stairs to rub Nelly Knox's ankle with
camphor. SHOOK her head gloomily at
the recital of the evenings adventure
WASN'T he kind? And a perfect
stranger, too" said Nelly, radiantly.
.Poor dear!' said Mrs. Macrabbin.
sWhat do you know about tho ways OF
city? It's no ways likely that Son'li
ever see hide nor hair OF them bon
nets again"
What do you meang' cried Nelly,
indignantly.
"Meana Why, that it's confidence
game, to be sure. and your fine. gentcel