Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-03-19

OcpicssiOu. u luS udu Co1uc ou 4uAtO
thickly. 1t was as much as he could do
TO make ont the omnibus that was to
convey him homeward, if q SEAL room
at the top Of a dreary boarding house
can be called home The light had for
the moment faded from his life, and
that afternoon would merely remain as
q bright spot never to be removed.
Piccadilly circus again. Henry had to
change omnibuses here. He got out to
wait beneath the lamp, without taking
much notice of his surroundings. An
omnibus drew mp. There was q rush for
places. and all were taken. One wom-
an was left behind. The faint CLEAN of
the lamp fell full upon her face as she
turned. Henry started. 1t was the girl
| he had been in search Of She looked ag
itated, pale. He almost thought she had
been crying How he longed to ask her
if he could help her! But he dare not.
| He was afraid Of alarming her still
more. One after another the omnibuses
| filed by and passed away. The girl
| made darts across the pavement toward
them, always retiring to her post, and
each time looking more scared and be-
| wildered. At last Henry could stand it
no longer. He went mp to her, and, TAX
ing of his hat, asked if he could be Of
any assistance.
"Oh," size said, Frightening up,
show kind you are! l want to go to
Camden town. They told me to take an
omnibus here, and can't find the right
one. This fog, it's dreadful. l have
never been in one before, and don't
know what to do. 1t bewilders me, and
it IS getting SO late.
She broke off, almost with sob.
Henry felt as though he could carry
her to Camden town himself, though
she must have weighed good eight
stone But he restrained his rapture
and answered composeily: 1T is diff
cult to see, and a London fog is rather
alarming when you're not used TO it.
An omnibus will be by directly. am
going that way myself" which was
perfectly true, though the decision was
momentary. "May stand near you:
These people press so.
"Please do. You're very kind"
They stood together i'll silence, Henry
wondering whether she recognized him
not venturing TO speak lest she shoult
imagine he wished to claim familiarity
The right omnibus drew up at last. HI
) handed her in As though he had beer
her grandfather and seated himself op
posite.
There were several other occupants
sleepy people returning home like them
selves from n days outing, but gradu
ally they got out one by one until Hen
~ and the girl were left alone. Still b.
did not like to address her, though n
saw that she glanced at him once o
twice as though she wished to speak
At last she began.
Il don't know what I should hay
done but for your kindness. believe
should have spent the night at tina
dreadful crossing
"Oh, no." answered Henry, with
smile; 1.-THE police would not have al
lowed that"
do You mean to say theywould hav
carried me off to prisonE' asked tn
girl, with look of horror.
mot SO bad as that. mean the
would have come to your assistanc
and maybe have seen you home," sal
Henry. "YOu need not ever feel alarm
ed in London. There is always some on
to look after you."
Indeed you we proved that. But 70
. don't know how awful it was all alon
in that fog. I'm not timid usually-yO
must not think am silly. but it was a
: SO strange-the great wide street, til
| people, such crowds Of them, and on
/ Z a
3 know which to take?"
/ 'But I don't understand why yo
3 were alone. 1t was not fit for you VIII;
, had become of your friends:" aske
e Henry. II think 1 saw you," he wer
= on, ''down at the Crystal palace, diin
. I? Did the other people come back ,
( London with you?"
t mo. They live somewhere dow
there. My godfather took me down, b,
he had to he back early, and the Brown
D those are my friends-wanted me
1 stay later. They said they would see n
e into the train, and that 1 should have 1
q difficulty. You must not think wante
Q to be alone"
!. Hang the Browns" muttered Hem
r to himself. Aloud he said: 1T was t.
Il bad of them to send You by yourself
n they might have known better. Wash
9 there any one who could Gomez"
s MIR. Charles Brown offered to-" al
swered the girl. but didn' want hi
). at all. told him / would rather
q alone. am accustomed to take care
4 myself at home, but it is SD differel
y hero and so strange
IS ''Ahr' commented Henry. "And
{ this is your first visit to London. Rath
j. an unpleasant beginning"
& ooh. no. now she hesitated.
q mean." she went on shyly, you ha
% made me quite happy again, and d
Is enjoy the music at the Crystal palace
ir much. / should get used to this big CT
j. after time, but Just at first felt lo
l. in il after Beccles. -
y do you live at Beccles, them" ask
g Henry.
D. Ives my mother has a large sh
there. Every one knows 'Harwood's,
st she added, with touch of pride.
,r s.Whaf ia your mother Mrs Ha