The herald., 1894-01-01
HIS HAPPY NEW YEAR.

a. m. that be reported oil. and, as
it was New Years night, and distinct
flavor OF egg nog came over the wire
with the message, Rivers replied, "Of
course you're eff; go home and take
that jag with you"
He chatted moment with the fore
man, exchanged "happy New Year"
with that parsonage, who is always the
real editor of a daily paper.
Rivers felt comfortable. He had q
big ''scoop" that night; the running
away of one OF the bellies of the city
with a married man. The couple had
left their homes that morning aud no
clue could be found to them.
The depots had been watched, but as
far as known they had not taken train.
Rivers knew it was scoop, for be had
interviewed the girls family late that
night and knew no other reporter had
seen them. The girls mother had wept
and pleaded with him not to publish
her daughters shame, but to no avail,
though he had almost yielded to her
agonized begging.
As he got to the foot of the stairs he
decided to take cab home, as it was
cold and late; and he puffed away at
cigarette, waiting for one to come along.
A rumble indicated one wss coming, and
soon it dashed around the corner, the
horses painting, and stopped ct the door.
The girls mother be had seen earlier
in the evening, rushed out to go up
stairs, and, recognizing him ss her
caller OF the early evening by the glare
of the electric light at the entrance,
stopped.
''Oh, Sir" she said, "my daughter ia
back. She did not run away. That
wretch took her driving and re-
fused to bring her back, but she
jumped out and walked home. and just
arrived. Do stop that horrid story
Don't you see what an awful wrong it
will do us?"
The girl herself-a remarkably beau
tiful young woman, with face and g fig
ure that made Rivers heart beat Ike
triphammer-ste forward, her coun-
tenance terror-stricken. the tears rolling
from her lovely eyes, her hands implor-
ingIy stretched out.
II beg you, sir, not to ruin me by
publishing that story" she said. II
am not bad girl. | should not suffer
for the scheme of a villain. My mother
said you were hard-hesrted; that there
was no use in our coming here to plead
with you; but l could not believe any
one could be so wantonly wicked, and,
exhausted and terrified as l wae, in
sisted on coming and telling yop the
truth and imploring you to do wnat is
right"
Riverside WAS known as Handsome
Rivers-felt strange, silly desire to
throw himself at the girls feet and beg
her pardon for ever having doubted her,
and canght himself wondering if he had
fallen in love. He knew nothing but
good OF the family, and mentally called
him self blooming idiot for ever having
dreamed of publishing the wretched
story. But his face possessed its &c
customed immobility. He looked at
his watch and saw that he had fully 20
minutes time in which to ''kiil' the
matter.
His face hardened. Ladies, the sit
uation distresses me-" he replied, "but
don't zee what can be done. IL is al
most too late to prevent the matter
from being published. But l can add
to the story a few lines, stating your
daughters return if you wish," he said
to the elder lady.
This brought forth further pleadings
and the girl became almost hysterical
in her mingled appeals, denunciations
and threateninge. In her angry mo
ments Rivers decided that she was the
loveliest creature he had ever seen, and
he also lost all doubts as to the possi-
bility OF love at first sight.
Finally she stepped up to him, and
gazed fxedly into his eyes. What she
saw then made her pale, fair face flush,
but reassured her. II can see you are
gentleman, sir, and believe you will,
at any cost, stop that article. l know it
would be doing you wrong for me
even to suppose that you would require
any recompense, but that need not pre-
vent me from saying that you will al
ways have the heartfelt gratitude of the
girl whose reputation, which is dearer
to her than all the world, You will save.
You will do it, and thank YOU" Her
bare little white hand was extended to
him, but he did not take it, but kept
looking into her eyes until che turned,
Will hHppy AlbbAC rt1lAO biOnAAdk OfOA
her tear-stained face.
Zone moment" he said, "you have
too high an opinion of me-" l will keep
the story out, but want to be paid for
it,"
The girl tottered and grew white. The
mother plunged her hand in her pocket,
drew out plethorio wallet and ca
gerly said, Anything in reason, Mr..
Rivers-anything How much would be
right?"
III you will step to the carriage will
tell your daughter" he said.
The old lady turned away, and he
again looked the girl square in the face.
II want you to put your arms around
my neck and kiss me" be said.
She grew crimson and then deethly
pale. but she bravely faced him. Mel
the: said word for a moment, and the
mother turned and watched them Curl
ously.
Again the girl read his heart through
! his eyes. and like the embrace of spring
zephyr her arms rested on his shoulders
and her sweet lips touched his for
moment.
II love you." he said. MAY I come
to see your"
The trembling lips uttered no word,
but the little hand that had dropped
into his gave little touch that told
him yea, and in a moment she had fed
In the carrapa and was Whpalad AWAY