The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1894-02-02

Having made up my mind to start
for home the next day. was strolling
aimlessly along one of the not very in-
viting streets of the city. with mere
idle curiosity to see little Of the sub.
stratum OF life. when. slipping un-
awares OH a piece of fruit flung from
the careless hand Of some street Nrchin.
fell somewhat heavily to the pave
ment. Before 1 could recover sutti-
GENTLY from the shock to attempt to
rise, a hand fell like snowflake on my
shoulder, and the sweetest voice ever
heard asked in pretty broken English:
rs monsieur hurt! 1t is such pity!"
and looked up into the face that
matched the voice-a lovely face full of
warm. rich coloring, and lighted by
great lustrOus eyes Of golden brown.
Her patched aud ill-titting dress
could not altogether disguise the cxqui-
site curves Of the figure, while the short
wrists, aud hands which, although
Drowned by sun and toll, were beauti.
fully modelled.
/ deliberately retained my undIgnitied
position, that might keep her near
me; then as she herself drew back. with
pretty air OF reserve that was charm
ing. raised myself, and found I was
not injured.
Not hurt at all, l thank you!" re-
piled. but at the moment was check
cd by Il sharp cry from the girl and the
sound of scurrying feet.
In moment knew what the matter
was, and why had not seen the lovely
stranger when was first walking
along. She had been seated quite out
of sight behind an Impoverished flower.
stand; and the lawless denizens of that
neighbOrhOOd had taken advantage of
her attention being diverted to me to
rifle her stand of its remaining contents
some half dozen bouquets in all-and
was already beyond pursuit.
never saw deeper look OF agony
stamped upon the face Of human be-
ing than that depicted upon the poor
girls features.
OH" she exclaimed, clasping her
slrall hands convulsively. "I'hcy have
stolen them! and what shall dO-how
can l 60 home!"
why, certainly you can have no fear
of being unkindly treated for such
misfortunc!" exclaimed. in my turn.
You cannot have such an unnatural
mother"
She is not my mother!" she inter-
lupted me, fash almost fierce lighting
up her brown eyes. "But she has rear
cd me since was little child, and,
oh. she is so crllel-so cruel. that many
times would gladly lie down and Gle.
And yet am afraid to run away into
the world, for 1t is Ill wickcdness there
But, oh! what will she do to me? She
knows just how many l took. What
can do-wlat ian l dog
Nnrar 1,oI T ,o ~, ar ;,no as,ov, n
more pitiful instance of grinding tyrnn-
ny and abjcct fear than that poor girls
manner portrayed. Her delicate, high
strung organization had evidently been
played upon until it was trembling in
the balance Of utter collapse. lnvolun-
tarily took the cold, fiuttering hands
in mine and clafed them gently.
Don't tremble SOL bcsOught her.
Il will pay for the flowers those boys
stOle:for If you had not left your stand
to ask If l was hurt, they would not
have had the chance to steal them"
She took the money from HE and
pressed my hands to her lips.
''Oh, monsieur, thank you-thank
you" she exclaimed, her face ali aglow
with grateful joy. "To-morrow-to-
morrow l will bring you the bouquet
YOU have paid for. But, OH, thank ana
bless your
And turning abruptly from my side,
she caught up her basket and was gone,
leaving lie to wonder whether 1t was
really dream or actual scene that
behold and In which l had taken part
l was sufficiently convinced of its
II atty, however, to so to the place the
next night, and the next, but no sign
Of my flower-girl greeted my Sight.
Despite her unprOpitiOus surroundings,
that she had.playei any trick ON ME,
or worked on my Sympathies In order
I'd make good her lOsswas q thought that
did not harbor for an instant; indeed,
but one controlling though. ami im-
pulse swayed me: l must see her again
ole more look into that lovely face
and hold those little tiuttcring hands
before parted with her forever. Hut
two nights passed. and she seemed TO
have vanished as utterly as IL earth had
never knOwE her One or two whom
asked either did not or would not know
ANYTHING about her; but IL felt that
must know more, or never KNOW peace
again.
On the fifth night, as was passing
the poorest corner Of that poor place,
and Just In front of q low cellar, 1 heard
NhG SOuhA VI u uAOWs Nuu thSu tl-
other moment that soft, broken voice
again, in tones of asonized cntreaty.
"Mercy-mercy, spare me; I cannot
do this thing-this wicked thinS:'
Stepping In the shadow of q house !
paused to listen, chained by horrible
fascination, and presently wretcheti,
sodden-looking creature came stumb-
ling up the steps, and made her I'M
steady way down the street. There
was no one In sight, and Obeying the
impulse Of the moment, darted down
into the cellar. There, PROSTATE on Il
pile of rags, was my fiower-girl, her
slender form convulsed with sobs. At
my footstep she sprung up and seized
my hands wildly.
"Oh, save me! save mel" she cxciaim-
ed frantically. "She beat ME because
would not 20 and steal! She says l
can make more by that than by selling
flowers! she says she will kill me IL l
don't do what she bids me! She has
gone for more drink, and when she
comes back she will kill mel know
she will"
"Shc never will-nevcr shall strike
you again" exclaimed, taking my re.
solve instantly. "See-it ia night. Put
on dark cloak and take my hand.
We will he far away from here before
she returns"
With the unquestioning faith OF a
Child she obeyed, and five minutes later,
clasping her little cold hand. we stole /,
out Of the cellar.
Here her training stood her In good /
stead-fOr she warned me when to slip !,
hastily into some doorway. or behind
some tree-bOx. to clude notice. and
when to hurry along fcarlessly.
got her 10 quiet hotel ut last. some |
miles away from her former abode: !
went out again and succeeded In pur ,
chasing dress,a cIoak,hat ana veil and
took them to her. promising 10 call |
early In the morning. /,
EARLY as did ! call she was dressed
aud ready for me, and an hour later We