National Baptist world., 1894-09-28
A FEEBLE ATONEME,NT.
But 1t Was All Barry Villiers Had
to Offer.

"'E's tipsy! Els 'aving rest! What
is it? Only sandwich-man!" 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
a little brandy in glass. Talbot put
it to the human advertisements lips.
The man opened his eyes with a 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 TOP" asked Talbot. "Where
do you live? I am going home with
you"
''Tallot street, Westminster, No. 81
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 sha bby, were remarkably clean;
his linen was clean, and he was clean
shaven. In fact, such a surplus of
cleanliness in one of his late occupa-
tion 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 it to come to the ears of my
daughter. | am pretty nearly useless
for work, but | wish to help her all
can, and that is why I come into the
city to carry those boards. She thinks
I work at an Office.
''I 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. ''No.
sir" he said. II am indebted to you
already. You cannot help me further;
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 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 a 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 novelty in Tallot street. for
face appeared at nearly every win
dow. A girl Of about twenty was
looking from No. 5. 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 slight acci-
dent. He slipped on the curb. He's |
all right; but | thought l 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 SO clearly the beau
ty of her complexion, that Talbot
stood gazing at her in silent admira
ton. His eyes fingered on her in
most embarrassing silence. They took
in the lines Of the slight, graceful fig
ure, the nut-brown hair, and the hon
est, steadfast eyes.
"Ill call tomorrow" he said, with
start, land hear how he is-that is, if
you don't mind"
1t 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"
tDon't mention it, stammered Tai
bot-"Good morning. 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
CLGTu u6dlUH StCLlCu w UtCOlIc d
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, Il 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 a
quiet little Bloomsbury practice.
Stern was to be made a 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 a gentle
man in every sense Of the word: but
Talbot Villiers had undoubtedly a
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
in the city, letter arrived from Tai
bot inclosing two tickets for the
theater The letter ran: Il want you
and your father both to see this piece.
1t was produced last night with the