The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-12-13
A WOMAN'S SAVING HAND.
BY EMILY BARTON,

BY EMILY BARTON.
He was ruined. AS he left the gam
bling house on Kearney street, Sa,
Francisco, and wandered out into Gold
en- Gate park he had absolutely not {
dollar in his pockets wherewith to pur
chase lodging or meal The down
cast profile was clear-cut and firm, ar
guing powerful individuality in its
owner, and yet mania had seized him
as it had seized many weaker man
and he had staked his all and lost.
The moonlight touched his bowed
head softly, silvered the outlines of his
figure and revealed his haggard white
ness.
| 1t fell on something else-something
that glittered in his hands like steel.
stop! Don't do that!'
1t was woman's voice that spoke, a
woman's touch that rested lightly on
his sleeve, woman's great dusky eyes,
set in face such as one sees but sell
dom in lifetime, which were raised to
his. She had strolled out to enjoy the
beauty Of the evening, and, absorbed in
meditation, had wandered farther than
she knew.
The mans arm dropped to his side.
He looked at her in silence, wondering,
admiring, perhaps little ashamed
"Why did you want to do it?" pur-
sued the gentle voice. "Does life seem
SO evil thing to you?"
II have been a fool-a mailman!
am ruined!"
But you are man. You can work.
You can regain all that you have lost"
He shook his head.
Il cannot find employment here, and
| haven't the means to return to my
home, in Chicago"
Her hand slipped into her pocket and
out again. Adroitly she drew the pistol
away from him and pressed something
into his hand in it's place.
"See, I have bought this thing of
you," she said, hurriedly. "You need
not feel too grateful. Christians should
help each other. If you want to repay
me, swear to yourself that you will
never do-what you attempted just
now. must leave you now. Good-by."
And she was gone before he could
stay or thank her-swallowed up and
lost in the shadow of the trees.
"Nfiss Ferris, allow me to introduce
you to Mr.. Fergus Landeck."
The first time they had met alone I'M
der the stars, in San Francisco; now |
they were amida fashionable gathering |
in the home of one of the railroad mag
mates in New York. She was in evening |
dress, with diamonds sparkling on her |
throat and in her hair.
For an instant she returned his gaze,
perplexed; then there was
a flash of recognition, and he saw she
knew.
evil you take me into the conserva-
tory, Mr.. Landeck? 1t is SO warm
here"
They left the ballroom and strolled
under the domed glasshouse where the
palms and lilies grew.
"You have not forgotten, then?"
1t was his voice, low and tremulous,
which broke the silence.
mo; nor you, it seems"
'There are moments in mans life
which he never forgets. That was one
# them. Do you know l have often
wondered whether we should ever meet
gain, and 1 dared not indulge hope
Intil this evening, when for the first I
ime 1 learned your name. Miss Fer
is, shall we sit down for awhile? am '
cry grateful for this opportunity of
peaking to you alone. WANT want
0 return to you, with many thanks, the s
the gift you gave me five years ago.
h, don't say no. The obligation un- s
err which you placed me will none the a
IS exist, and-and shall always keep ]
he little purse, always-in remem-
rance of that highland you" il
Fortune has evidently favored you v
nee" she said, after pause.
ayes, fortune has indeed favored me, q
ISIS Ferris. Your gift was like the en- e
lanted purses in the children's fairy h
It enabled me to =
ach the home of my parents in Chi
.9o. / became a reformed man, and
on secured employment as secretary
the manager of a car construction Il
,mpany in Detroit. BY industry and
rift saved little money. With 1t Il