Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1893-08-10

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w---@s the need of
warmth; how much more those who
had no such comforts to look forward
tol A few, very few, fingered awhile,
studying what they might purchase for
their families in order that, once at
home, they should no more that night
require to turn out into the damp and
unpleasant streets
OF those who were hurrying the most
to reach their dwellings was hand
some man of about twenty-nine years
of age, who looked as if he were some
what tired of existence in this world,
Hlthough it appeared to have dealt very
kindly with him. He seemed in the
most robust health, and from his dress
it might be thought that he never knew
what it was to want single thing on
which he had set his heart,
He was clad in a warm fur overcoat,
through which it was impossible for
either the keen, cutting wind which
blew along the street or the heavy rain
which fell to make the slightest inn
preston. Its thick folds kept out both
wind and rain, and neither the one nor
the other affected him in the smallest
degree. Notwithstanding this, Hubert
Mclean travelled rapidly along the
pavement lie did this not because he
was afraid of being wet or because of
the warm reception he would meet
when once he reached his dwelling.
Hubert MacLean was one of the most
promising, indeed we might say the
most promising, painter of his day.
More in request than any two of his
compeers he bade fair to outshine even
the most brilliant Of the present mem
bers Of the Royal academy. Handsome
and fascinating, it was wonder to his
friends that he had not been made a
happy Benedict years ago. He was
fiattered and caressed by society, which
always does flatter those who are sue
cessful, whilst those who are merely
clever may go their own way in the
world without it taking the least notice
of them beyond spurning their adj
vances. But few, If any, guessed what
had effectually prevented him from
falling prey to the Vaccinations Of
matchmaking mothers and fascinating
daughters.
It was only the day before that he
arrived in London from long tour in
the colonies, where he had been seek
ing inspiration for his work, and he
was hurrying along to his hotel when
he suddenly stopped to look at and
speak to very beautiful but meanly-
clad child on the TO otpath.
She had in her hands small bouquet
of flowers. lie bought the bouquet,
and no sooner had he done so than the
little child made off, after thanking
him in curiously sweet voice, toward
her own home. Something in that
voice seemed to strike MacLean, for he
glanced at her and half made up his
mind to follow her.
She made OF as rapidly as she was
able to, and she had very nearly got out
of sight among the crowl when the
young man did ultimately make up his
mind to follow her. AS she made her
way along the footpath she glanced
longingly into the windows which were
now covered over with steam from the
heated and steaming edibles on view
therein.
Still on she went, followed now by
the painter. Not far had they gone ere
they turned down a road at the end of
which was large block of houses,
which 1t was evident were occupied by
very poor people indeed people who
never knew where their next meal was
TO come from.
The child paused at the bottom of the
stairs of one OF these houses and then
turned as II she had forgotten some
thing or other A moment she stood
considering, and then she made off
again to little shop at the corner of
the street. She entered and purchased
q small loaf, one which appeared to be
about large enough to serve baby of
two years old for half meal, or which
healthy girl of the size of the child
might eat at mouthful She paid her
penny for it, one she had drawn out of
her dress, and then trippcd off, almost
as lightly as If she had been able to
spend guinea on meal, back again
to her home.
MacLean followed her, and this time
she did not quite reach the step of the
door leading to the house where she
had stopped previously, when she
paused and giving startled cry
dropped the loaf she had in her
hand, and knelt down near something
which lay at the roadside. One glance
was sufficient for her to see what it
was. AS soon as she saw it she cried
out in low wailing to nes: ''Oh, mother,
mother" The young painter ever
ready to help fellow mortal in dis
tress, went up to the little mite, and
found her on the ground beside wom-
ans form. Quite unconscious there she
lay. A lovely woman she had evidently
been. and still lovely she might be but
for the pale, haggard look which had
settled down upon her features. That
look was not accounted for solely by
the dead faint into which she had
fallen. From the swoon she would, no
doubt quickly recover, but she was suf-
fering from disease from which so
many die that it might, with advan-
tage, perhaps, be included in those most
fatal Of all diseases-tbose which can
be cured, but which are not for lack OF
means.
He took the woman In his arms, and
telling the little child to lead the way
he sscended the stairs OF the huge and
comfortless house where the two re-
sided up TO the garres, and there en-
Aersd room which tQld Q tale in the