The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-11-01
A FEEBLE ATONEMENT.
But IT Was All Barry villiers Had
to Offer.

"Es tipsyl Els 'aving a restl What
Is it? Only a sandwich-manp One of
the miserable gutter file had slipped
and fallen on the Strand pavement.
With the imperial air of the neophyte
medicine-man, Talbot Villiers parted
the crowd. A Samaritan stood by with
4 little brandy in glass. Talbot put
It to the human advertisements lips.
The man opened his eyes with look
OF gratitude. The look touched the
young medical student He held up
his finger for cab, then he assisted
the fallen man into il and took seat
opposite.
Where TOP" asked Talbot where
do you live? l am going home with
YOU"
"Tallot street, Westminster, No. g."
murmured the other feebly. "My
name is Stern, John Stern"
Talbot gave the direction to the
cabman; then he examined his com
panion more closely. He was an elder
ly man of refined features. His clothes,
though shabby, were remarkably clean;
his linen was clean, and he was clean
shaven. In fact, such surplus Of
cleanliness in one of his late occupa-
ton was rather suspicious Stern bore
the young mans scrutiny with visible
uneasiness He leaned suddenly over
to Villiers.
Say" he said, IF you are going
home with me, will you keep my car
rying of the boards secret? don't
want II to come to the ears of my
daughter am pretty nearly useless
for work, but wish to help her all l
can, and that is why 1 come into the
city to carry those boards. She thinks
l work at an Office"
81 quite understand" said Talbot,
pityingly. Your secret is safe with
me-" The words of the man had
aroused every generous instinct of his
nature what made you faint?"
Hunger" replied Stern, lacon-
ically
Talbot made a hurried motion to
stop the cab. Stern laid his hand on
his arm and restrained him. mo,
SIR" he said. ~ am indebted to you
already You cannot help me further;
cannot take anything from you, even
food. But thank you, all the same"
Sterns tone was decisive, and Tai
bot regarded him in amazement. The
first answer had showed him what lit
tie way he had made in medical dag
nosis the second, how little he knew
Of human nature. The pride that pre-
vented hungry man accepting food
was to Talbot preposterous. This feel
ing gave way to one of involuntary re-
spect. At last the cab stopped Cabs
seemed q novelty in Tallot street. for
face appeared at nearly every win
dow. A girl Of about twenty was.
looking from No. 8. AS the cab drew
up, she looked very pale, and rushed
to the door.
my daughter, Kate" said Stern.
Remember your promise, SIR"
"All right" replied Talbot; then, as
the girl came to the cab door he raised
his hat. Don't be alarmed; your IA
ther has happened with a slight acci-
dent He slipped on the curb. He's
all right; but thought I had better
drive home with him from the-the
Office"
At the sight Of her father walking
from the cab, the color rushed back to
her cheeks in such vivid and delicate
tints, and showed 80 clearly the beau
ty of her complexion, that Talbot
stood gazing at her in silent admira-
ton. His eyes fingered on her in q
most embarrassing silence. They took
in the lines Of the slight, graceful fg-
ure, the nut-brown hair, and the hon
est, steadfast eyes.
"I'll call tomorrow" he said, with q
start, land hear how he is-that is, II
you don't mind"
It was evident that Kate regarded
him as junior member Of some un-
known and eminently Christian firm.
"You are very kind" she said-'very
kind, indeed"
Don't mention IT," stammered Tai
bot-"Good morning-I mean good
afternoon-Miss Stern"
He reentered the cab, and, telling
the cabman to drive anywhere, escaped
from Tallot street in some confusion.
But he was true to his promise. He
called the next day, and the day after,
and many more times. The state OF
Stern's health seemed to become a
very serious matter. At last this
plcdedut uCtlOh cApiouSu. hc cdLhc
one afternoon when her eyes were
weary with typewriting, and the sight
maddened him. He clasped her in his
arms. Kate, my own dear Kate" he
cried, II love you, and want you to
be my wife. Will you, KateP"
Kate looked into his eyes He
needed no other answer; and they
passed the afternoon building up q
quiet little Bloomsbury practice.
Stern was to be made dispenser.
over the teacups, Kate told her father
of Talbot's proposal He kissed her,
and sighed. 1t was not in him to
spoil love-dream; but he scented
danger. Talbot Villiers was gentle
man in every sense Of the word; but
Talbot Villiers had undoubtedly q
father. Who was he? Villiers, senior,
would without doubt have his say, un-
less he was very mild father, IN
deed. Early the next day, day
when Stern had no copying" to do