The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-05-21


> Gene! I say, Brookes, that's not bad
yarn Tor man who doesn't care for melo-
arama: daresay 1t seems to you rather SEN
time ntal but don't like the idea OF the
daughter waiting up for this tipsy father OF
hers, who, judging by his present rate of
progress, won't get home till morning IL left
to himself even il he doesn't seems likely
enough, get locked up the way. But |
needn't; of course, keep you old man. L
cam 49,
"Oh. I'm not going to leave you. Trevlyn,
If that's what you rnean-don't think it. If
you're bent on having an adventure, III see
yod through it-especial1y as there's
woIEan in the case, though / daresay she is
elderly and ugly, or, if she's pretty, you may
be sure she's decoy duck to lure you into
den of thieves. Come on though, if you
really mean to go, OF your protege Will SUD-
side into the gutter"
The young men FASTENED their steps, and,
a moment later overlook the inebriate. who
was -clinging to a lamppost
Won cher take me 'ome?" he cried out
plaintively "Daughter-good girP'-hiccough
-'-waitin' up-for-poor ole father
''AI right, come I'll see you as far as
your door, said Trevlyn, giving him an arm
while Brookes offered another, and, thus sup
ported he managed to keep. on his legs, and
with an occasional lurch, was piloted safely
to his destination, shabby lodging house,
with a weather stained stucco front.
Mean, but respectable observed Maurice
Trevlyn, below his breath; and scarcely had
the words escaped his lips, before the door
was opened, not. as he had half expected, by
the typical landlady in such neighborhoods,
but by young and slender girl, attired
plainly but tastefulIy in grey, with a deli
cate oval face. framed in by waving mass
of glossy dark hair, and beautiful, mournful
eyes, that still showed traces of recent tears.
At sight of her father-whose home coming,
however, she evidently had been expecting
escorted by strangers, painful hush suf-
fused her white, worn cheeks, and she bit
her n tears.
.Sympathizihg with her enbarI assment Trev-
lyn, who was standing just outside the door
his friend, Brookes, still supported the in
ebriate-hastened to say
81 feel that some explanation of our pres
ence is necessary. The fact is. your father
was taken suddenly ill-turned faint you
know, in the street, as people are apt to do
Sometimes-and asked US to see him as far as
his own door"
The polite fiction did not deceive the
young girl for a moment but that she ap-
Preciated the delicaey which prompted it was
proved by the grateful glances she gave him
out of her soft dark eyes, which Trevlyn
thought were the saddest and sweetest he
had ever seen.
1T is yery-very kind Of you and your
friend to have taken So pQuch trouble. for, a
nger-especially one sin-in such a con-
dition,' she added with a break in her voices
that was sad and ss5eetsalilSe Gher, eyes. Sdest
people would have left him to himself, and
he would probably have got run over or--or
locked up. don't know how to thank you
either of YOU" she resumed, swallowing down
the rising sob that hindered her utterance,
and stepping outside on the pavement, where
her father stood, staring stupidity at her, and
swayng to and fro; "but you mustn't think
he's often like this, please" she pleaded,
pitecusly, looking from one of the young men
to the other in way that made, them both
feel, as they declared afterwards, as if they
had a lump in their threats. THE doctor has
told him he ought not to touch spirits
even glass upsets him; but he will be all
right now. Come, father!
The girl approached him, and offered her
arm; but the inebriate pushed it, though not
roughly aside.
'Ish-shuppose you, too, shink I'm tipshy,
my dear'-hiccough-"bu I'm noshink of the
short These ge'men ashked t. walk 'ome
wish me. an you wouldn' ave me refushe.
observation-disclosures eh?"
"No-no father, of course not said the
girl, soothingly; "oniy, come in now. It's
close on midnight and I've got hot little
supper for you. Come! take my arm.
But this he would not do.
With the obstinacy of inebriates, who, the
trsier their condition the more anxious they
become to prove that they are sober, he stag
gered across the pavement, clutching the
area ratings. stumbled up the steps, and
u1ched into the passage, along which. his
foot happening to catch in the door-mat he
measured his full length, falling with a
heavy thud.
quick as thought. the girl had reached his
side and was bending over him, but Trevlyn,
putting her gently aside, dragged the man
on to his feet.
IF you will show Inc the way to your
apartments,'' he said, in a quiet, respectful
tone to the girl ct will assist him thither.
He cannot remain here, and you cannot lift
him.
.Oh, thank you, thanh you! How good you
are 90 she nurmured, TREMENDOUSLY. Z will
show you the way.
Slowly making as little noise as possible,
he led-nay, he dragged-the helpless man