The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-08-11
A FEEBLE GT0uEmENT.


the imperial air Of the neophyte medi-
cine man, Talbot Villiers parted the
crowd. A Samaritan stood by with q
little brandy in glass. Talbot put
il to the human advertisement lips.
The man opened his eyes with look
OF gratitude. The look touched the
young medical student. He held up
his finger for a cab, then he assisted
the fallen man into it and took a seat
opposite.
Where tor asked Talbot. Where
do you live? j am going home with
you
q" Talbot street, Westminster, No.
5, 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 ell
derly man OF refined features. His
clothes, though shabby, were remark
ably clean, his linen was clean, and
he was clean shaven, in fact, such a
surplus OF cleanliness in one OF his
late occupation was rather suspicious.
Stern bore the young mans scrutiny
with visible uneasiness. He leaned
suddenly over to Villiers.
Sir" he said If you are going
home with me, will you keep my
carrying OF the boards a sc cret?
don't want it TO come to the ears Of
my daughter i am pretty nearly
useless for work, but | wish to help
her all can, and that is why ] come
into the city to carry these boards.
She thinks l work in an Office"
II 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 laconi-
cally.
Talbot made a hurried motion TO
stop the cab. Stern laid his hand on
his arm and restrained him. mo,
SIR" he said. II am indebted to you
already. You cannot help me furth-
er; cannot take anything from you,
even food. But | thank you, all the
same"
Stern's tone was decisive, and Tai
bot regarded him In amazement. The
first answer showed him what little
way he had made In medical diagno-
sis; the second, how little he knew
Of human nature. The pride that
prevented hungry man accepting
food was to Talbot preposterous,
This feeling gave way, however, to
one of involuntary respect. At last
the cab stopped. Cabs seemed n nov
city in:Talbot street for face APP
peared at nearly every window. A
girl Of about twenty was looking
from No. b. As the cab drew up she
turned very pale and rushed to the
door.
My daughter Kate" said Stern.
Remember your promise sir.
"All right" replied Talbot the n
as the girl came to the cab door, he
raised his hat. Don't be alarmed /;
your father has happend with slight
accident. He slipped on the curb.
He's all right; but thought had
better drive home with him from the
office"
At the sight of her father walking
from the cab, the color rushed back
to her cheeks in such vivid ard deli
cate tints, and showed so clearly the
beauty Of her complexion, that Tai
bot stood gazing at her in silent ad-
miration. His eyes fingered on her in
a most embarrassing silence. They
took in the lines of the slight grace
full figure, the nut-brown hair and the
honest steadfast eyes.
"I'll call tomorrow" he said, with
start, 'and hear how he is-that
is, If you don't mind"
1t was evident that Kate regarded
him as a junior member of some un-
known and eminently Christian firm
You are, very kind" she said
very kind indeed"
Don't mention it," stammered
Talbot. Good morning-I mean
good afternoon-Miss Stern"
He re-entered the cab, and telling
the cabman to drive anywhere, es-
capped from Talbot street in some con-
fusion. But he was true TO his prom
lse. He called the next day and the
day after, and many more times.
The state of Stern health seemed to
become IA very serious matter. At
last this pleasant fiction exploded.
He came 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,
Kate?"
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 IA dispenser.
Over the teacups Kate told her father
Of Talbot's proposals. He kissed her
and sighed 1t was not in him &c
spoil n love-dream; but he scented
danger. Talbot Nilliers was a gen
tleman i'm every sense OF the word
but Talbot Villiers had undoubtedly
n father. Who was he? Nilliers