Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-03-23
TOM MARCH.


"Let me pass, sir ~
"Give me kiss, then. What harm
will kiss do you: Do you think you
Come now, one kiss.
Crash came blow upon the ruffiau's
chest, and he measured his longth upon
the pavement, groaned, picked himself
up, and glared ut the man who had
come upon him out OF the darkness of
the fopgy night without moments
warning, then looked frightened.
"Mr. Falkland, sir, FL didn't know
it was young lady you were interested
in | was speaking to, sir. II
"Tom March, said the young man,
~ am sorry to find you such rutfian.
| thought better Of you."
''lndade, sir, | mistoos the young
lady for ono Of them actresses at the
theyatcr, said Tom March, with his
hand to his head, whence blood was
trickling.
Then seeing that his young master
had turned his back, Tom March
skulked away, willing to swallow his
punishment il "Mr. Ned" would let it
go at that, and not have him dismissed
from his fathers stables, whore he was
employed. N1
How was | to know the girl was
waiting for him?'' he asked himself,
finding it impossible not to impute u
personal motive, and suspicious one,
to Mr.. Ned's interference in the matter.
Meanwhile, Ned had lifted his hat
courteously.
II trust that fellow-who happens
to be one Of my fathers servants-has
not frightened you very much, madam. !"
he said, in his gentle, winning voice.
Can be OF any assistance?'
He did brighten me: l am so thank
full to you," said the young lady.
She took a step forward, appeared
about to say something more, and sud-
denly tainted away.
Ned was an athletic young fellow. In
an instant he had taken the slender
figure in his arms as though it were
that of child, and looking about him
saw the colured globes of druggists
window not far away and bore her in
that direction.
A crowd followed him, of course
crowds collect in two minutes in the
streets of New York, but it paused as
the druggists doors closed behind Ned
and his burden, and was soon dispersed
by two sturdy policemen.
Meanwhile the girl lay with pallid
lips and closed eyes, and his heart
began to beat rapidly as he supported
her. What If she were dead? 1t seemed
to his inexperience that it might oe so.
The calm, gray7haired old German
who presided over the jars and bottles
was not alarmed, however. He applied
certain restoratives, unbuttoued the
girls gloves and loosened her collar,
and shortly she sat up and looked
about her. Her eyes, however, did not
turn to the faces Of the men at her
side, but to that of great clock upon
the wall.
"Half-past q" she whispered. "The
curtain rises at s."
She struggled to her feet, and sank
back into the chair that had been
placed for her.
MY strength is quite gone" she
said. II sha'n't be able to play to
night. can't get to the theatre. "
She is an actress, them Ned said
to himself with some surprise, for his
preconceived idea of an actress did not
tally with the girls appearance.
''You will be better in leetle minute
ven | shall give you Something's the
druggist said, and shortly he put a
glass to her lips.
The effect Of the draught was almost
instantly perceptible. the girl found
herself able to adjust her hat and
cloak, and in few minutes to stand,
to walk.
II think l can get there she said,
softly. You are SO kind OF you
so good! What should / have done
il you had not come to my aid?"
And she looked up into Ned's face
with great. implorine blue eyes, thai
would have melted heart of adamant.
The next moment Ned was at the
door and had ,beckoned to cabman.
"Only my duty. Our servant fright
ened you, you know" he said ir
answer to the girls protestations, anc
he put her into the vehicle, asked the
address of the theatre, and mounted
beside the driver himself 1t was but
few moments ride, and after the young
lady had entered at the door devoted tC
the use of the company, he walked
around to the front of the house him
self and purchased a seat in one Of tn,
boxes, and soon saw her come GU
upon the stage.
IL was very small part IN which
she played. she had little to do or say
/
well. Certainly she looked charmingly.
Her white dress, sleeveless, anC
modestly low in the neck, was he
coming. The touch of rouge on he
cheeks made her eyes look wonderfully
bright and he felt that it was rather
pleasant adventure to have been O
service TO so charming creature.
He was good-natured, however, ant
Tom got off with lecture.
AN actress may be as much of ;
lady as any other, Tom, you know" h,
said. sit Is an absurd prejudice o
the masses to think otherwise -
Eyes, sir, I'll remember hereafter, ,
Tom declared, as he pocketed saly,
for his bruised head in the shape of q
bank note; but it was only natura
that he should inly resent blow tina
prudential considerations alone hat
prevented him from returning, ant
that he should wish for the revenge h,
saw no chance of taking on the youn:
| master.
The time might come some day, h,
said to himself, and if it did he woulc
not miss it, were 1t one year or ten il
arriving. He did not come of people
who forgot or forgave an injury, OF
deemed it right to do SO.
One day Jane, the kitchen maid
came to the stable door to give some
message to Tom March, and paused
for little gossip.
There's a fine time in the house, v
she said. ''Mussus and the youns
ladies is taking on awful. Mister Nee
is Just tellin' them he's goin' to marry
and she's one of them actresses. -
'Ah," cried Tom, his face flushing
he's going TO marry her, them