Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-04-30
NATIONAL PREse ASSocLATIoN.

can't afford to keep my horses for moth
Ing"
what IL It. driver!" oueried q rougl
1oice; and In moment crowd ha'
gathered around poor, shrinking Mar
gle. and growing. indignant Leo.
"The woman's lost her purse"
"Oh. no! the old story-eh? Beaut,
in distress. Should think they'd 60
tired Of playing that camel! said th'
coarse voice. which belonged to
lounger and hanger-on at the depot.
Looks rather suspicious. ma'am, fo'
ye to be travelling on the train alone.
rupted by the lounger.
That's the way they all travel. Well
thank the Lord. hain't 80 gallant a
to git taken in by every decent face
see"
Thank heaven. am not 80 lost to all
sense Of decency as to insult ladyr'
said clear. stern voice: and tall. dis
tlnguished looking man swept through
the crowd, and reached Margie's side.
Indeed. I am not mistaken" he said.
looking at her with amazement. Miss
Harrison"
She saw. as he lifted his hat. the
frank. handsome face Of Louis Casrani.
All her troubles were over-this man
was q pillar Of strength to her weak
ness. She caught his arm eagerly. and
Leo barked with Joy. recognizing q
friend.
"I am so glad to see you. Mr.. Cas-
traniw
His countenance lighted instantly.
He pressed the hand on his arm.
Thank you. my friend. What serv-
ice can render you! Where do You
wish to go? Let me act for you"
"oh. thank you-if you only will!
was going further. but the train
wished to take had been gone some
hours, and I must stay here tonight.
And on my way. somewhere. my money
has been stolen"
"Give yourself no more uneasiness.
am only too happy to be Of any use
to you"
The crowd dispersed. and Castrani
called q carriage. and put Marsie and
Leo inside.
Have you any choice Of hotels!"
None. I am entirely unaeQuainted
here You know best"
ITO the - House." he said to the
driver: and thither they were taken.
A warm room and tempting supper
were provided. but Margie could not
eat. She only swallowed little toast.
and drank cup Of tea. Castrani came
to her parlor Just after she had finished.
but he did not sit down. He had too
much delicacy to intrude himself upon
her when accident had thrown them to-
gether.
"I was called here on very urgent
business" he said. "and shall be Obliged
to attend to It tonight. but I shall re-
turn soon. and will see you in the morn
ing. Meanwhile. feel perfectly at
home. have engaged chamber-maid
to attend to you. and do not be afraid to
make your wants known. Goodnight.
now. and pleasant dreams."
She was so weary. that she slept
some. with Leo Rugged tightly to her
breast: for she felt sense Of security
in having this faithful friend near her.
breakfast was served In her room. and
by and by Castrani came up. He spoke
to her cheerfully. though he could not
fail to notice that some terrible blow
had fallen upon her since last he had
seen her. gay and brilliant. at q party
In New York. But he forebore to Ques-
tion her. MarEie appreciated his deli
cacy. and something impelled her to
confide to him what she had not en-
trusted to the discretion Of any other
person. She owed him this confidence
for his disinterested kindness.
MI. Castrani." she said, quietly
enough. outwardly. circumstances oi
which I cannot speak. have made 1,
necessary for me to lenve New York
| / do not desire that the place Of ny
destination shall be known to any one
But to show you how much appreciat,
your kindness. and how entirely trus
you. I will inform you that am goinJ
to Lghtfield. in New Hampshire. 4
stop an indefinite length Of time with
my old nurse. Mrs. Day"
Castrani was visibly affected by thiI
proof Of her confidence.
| From me. no one shall ever know
the place Of your refuge" he said. earn
estly. your train leaves at ten.
is now nine. II you would only permi
me to see you safely to the end Of you
journey"
She flushed. He read quite reproacl
in her eye.
Pardon me. know It may seen
like ofhciousness. but would try an,
not be disagreeable to you. woul,
not even speak to you. II you desired l
should be so. But could travel II
the same car with you. and be there I,
protect you. II you should need me-"
II thank you greatly. But I ha,
rather you went no farther. shat
meet with no dificulty. think. I shall
reach Nurse Days by sunset
"As you will. will not press tn
matter. Your pleasure shall be mine.
A little later he assisted her from
the carriage that had taken her to tn
depot. Her baggage was checked-h
handed her the check. and her ticket
and then pressed into her hand rol
OF bank-notes. She put them bacl
quietly. but he declined taking them.
II do not give It to you'll lend II 4
you. You can repay me at your con
venience."
"on those conditions, I thank yor
also"
sha mt <,,,t he. hora II. ...,. a.