The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-05-08
IL.

After bending all one day over his
desk. in cramped, -sfSy-itghtedE back
room. Mr.. FAINT finished the engross-
ment of two lengthy deeds. wiped his
pen. drew his money. and strolled OUT
in the dusk toward the North Star.
FAINT" 1t was asloai6lg scribe that
called TO him. Heard the news?" The
little 'uns mothers dead.
Who said so?'
Some old gal who came over for
some beer a little while ago. She says
the little 'un's been over TO look for you
two or three times"
Mr. FAINT lit his pipe with fine call
lousness. as intimating that is was no
business OF his anyway.
Then. instead of going into the North
Star. he thrust his hands in his trouser
pockets. and lurching off with an air Of
most profound indifference, turned up
Furnival street, as if he were going
home.
Now. there were two ways into But
ters court-one opposite the North
Star, and one through pinched arch
way out OF Furnival street-and, with
casual glance behind him, Mr.. FAINT
vanished suddenly into that archway.
on the top floor but one of house in
the court door opened TO the sound
of his passing tread, and woman
looked out.
"oh, it's you. sir" she cried. recogniz-
ing him; then TO some one within.
Here, Gerty, here's your uncle"
In moment the little 'un bounded
out to him. and he stopped and rose
with her in his arms, her small clasp
tightening round his neck, her face
nesting against his, and the little fig
ure convulsed with soObing.
There. there, don't cry. It's all
right" he stammered. half shyly.
a
To the woman. with a lift OF his eyes
toward the floor above.
"Oh, no, sir. She's been going off
rapid for some time, she returned.
"The doctor never thought she'd last so
long" AS Mr.. FAINT offered no obserya-
tion, but seemed absorbed i'm troubled
thought, she went on. AN there's no
one to take the child. she don't seem
to have no friends-her father died
three year ago an moreH9- You
amt a real uncle, soeI s'pose TN ha' To
be the, workhouse, poeE'nitel"
Yes. / am" gasped M Fant. ag-
gressiveIy. I'm real TnouBh. She aln't
going to any workhouse. She'll come
with mel IL shair haze to have her.
The parishll make me. It's the law.
"Oh, / didn't know you was really
her uncle. Well, I'm glad Of IL. Ia have
'ad her here WI me sooner than let her
go 10 the parish, only got seven o my
own. an that's handful"
yes, said Mr.. FAINT frowning stern
~. Shell ha' TO come wit me. It's
the law. / can't get out of II. III you
don't mind me >leavin' her here for
about an hour while 1 go and let her
aunt know about it,"
ITO be sure. mister. She'll be all right
here till you come back
And having Quilted the little 'un, and
comforted her with promises of "a quick
return, he hurried downstairs alone
and out and along the dismal lamplit
streets tin i'm squalid lane OF Hatton
Garden he arrived at his own home.
He lived in two attics over an inferior
coffee shop. and, mounting To one OF
these, he came upon faded woman
sewing at some sort of tailoring. She
was a lank, hard-featured woman, and
her hair was streaked with gray.
They gave ench other no manner ~
greeting Mr.. FAINT sat down. fumbled
i'm his pockets. and pushed a half crown
and some coppers across the table to
her.
She glanced up at him curlously.
You're early tonight"
YES" he said awkwardly, "just-er-
come from thefofilce."
She gathered the money into her
purse. and went on sewing.
lie coughed at intervals. and peered
under his brows at her. dubtating.
Il say" he, began, abruptly, 'you
remember that little 'un I've nleii-
tionea2 Her mothers dead. That ut
tie 'un dances you know
Mrs. Fsnt murmured Poor thing,
but seemed otherwise unn1oved
The silence hardened between them
again, and Mr. Fant broke it al last by
n desperate effort
They're goin 40 send her 20 the
workhouse h. clnculsted Then his
words came al n rush. but in so tieiuu-
lnus = voice that HE wifc gazed at him.
| wondering. Clara she 9 such d lit