Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1899-06-12
HER BIG BROTHER.

Don't think that l have encouraged
him" pleaded Miss Hood, tremulously. Il
have to answer his questions, for suppose
that if did not the head waiter would say
was impoite TO the customers and I'd lose
my place"
Miss Cushman laughed little at first and
then her face clouded with Indignation.
ooh, dear, easpcd Mary in dismay,
what shall dog What Go you suppose his
plan is? I'm afraid I'd better give up my
place at once"
you won't do anything Of the kind,
Mary" returned Miss Cushman with de-
cision. MY guess is that he is going to fol-
10y you home, SO as to find where you live,
Wen fool him. You 20 along home with me.
That will prevent him, probably. from
speaking to you on the street and II viii
put him on the wrong track"
But, Miss Cushman,' interrupted Mary,
81 can't have you taking my trouble on your
self What If he should try to annoy your"
Miss Cushman laughed ironically at the
very thought Of it,
1--WE got the best defense in the world,
Mary" she said, comiortingly; an set my
big brother on him. Tom and / live to.
gether, and I'm sure Tom would rush
valiantly to the rescue Of both or either Of
US"
It was plain that Mary was greatly en-
couraged by this suggestion, for her face
lighted, and she said with a sieh Ct relief:
1T must be fine to have a big brother to fall
back on"
There was an expression of intense cmuse-
ment on Miss Cushman's face for JUS an
instant She repressed it quickly, and said
with enthusiasm. 1T is, Mary; and want
you to meet my big brother You'll fail
dead in love with him. Hes the most af-
fectionate fellow, and he'll love YOU at
sight"
Nothing more was said Of the matter until
it was time to start for home. The obnox
ious customer had gone out and now could
be seen standing at the curb, as if waiting
for car, but letting car after car pass him
INHALED.
Now for the protection Of my big broth.
er," said Miss Cushman, gayly, linking her
arm in Alary's.
They decided TO make an effort TO eludc
the fellow at the start, and with this plan in
view they walked some distance mp the
street before taking q car. When they wor,
seated, however, they saw the persistent
customer on the rear platform. They die
not look his way again during the trip, OF
when they alighted, but they were certain
that he was following, and Mary was ex
tremely uneasy.
At last they entered Miss Cushman's lods
ing house and went into the sittingroom
where they told the andlady the situation
! The story was hardly done when there cara
ring at the front door and a servant an
nounced that a young man was there IN
/ curing for vacant rooms. Both girls peerel
through the curtain at the man on the stoo
and both turned simultaneously with Al
aspirate, Its him!"
"Then," said the laadlady, promptly, az
send him away"
NO" responded Miss Cushman, "tha
would be merely to postpone the troubl,
Have you a vacant roomy
"One little one on the top floor"
"Take him up to it and leave the rest t
us"
The landlady hesitated but an instant b,
fore she yielded to her respect for he
lodger's sagacity, ard presently the tw
mattresses were tiptoaing upstairs in pa
suit Of the offensive customer Mary Hoo
wondering excitedly all the time what wa
going to happen. Halfway up the last fligh
they paused, hearing the young man and th
landlady in conversation. He was askin
foolish questions about the house and il
occupants and the landlady was answerin
at random, for she, like Mary, could nc
guess what il was in Miss Cushman's min
to do AT length a key was turned and
door thrown open.
It's the only room I've got, said III
landlady you can take look at it,
Saying that he would do so and nquirir
about the persons occupying the other room
on the floor, the young man stepped acroi
the threshold Instantly Miss Cushma
hurried to the top landing, glided acrol
the hall, pulled the door to and turned Ii
key in the lock.
Here, say What Go you moanl l.
me outl" came in tones of CONSERVATION an
anger from the young man, while he seize
the door knob and ratified It vigorously. III
! landlady looked on speechlessly and Nj
Cushman called TO the prisoner:
Il know why you came here. You don
want room. You've been annoying
young lady who lives here. Very well, you
stay in there until her brother comes HON
III let you out then
There was a moment Of silence within q
room, after which the prisoner shoute
I'm have you arrested to which M.
Cushman retorted Not until that b
brother lets you out"
In the sitting-room the three captors we
discussing the affair with growing amin
ton, when a small boy dashed into Il
room.
"Sayl" he cried. there was thief ne
door lie climbed down the fire-escape.
( seen himl And he got away. lie ran lii
[ thunder and nobody couldn't catch him.
a "Our mani" fairly shouted Miss Cushma
D and followed by the others she r,
d upstairs 10 the top floor, turned &
= key to the vacant room, threw open the do
y and strobe in. The room was empty. Fro
an open window it was clearly an easy dr.
to the roof of the adjoining building, when
descent to the street was possible by the Il
A escape.
I'VE shan't see him again." said M
Cushman, mot even at the restaural
Mary, let me introduce my big broth
9 Tom" and she indicated the teu-yearo
J. boy who had brought news of the prisone
escape.
There was an expression Of infinite 81
q prise and relief on Mary's face as she to
n the little fellows hand. Before she went
her own lodging house she confessed TO NJ
IS Cushman her terror at the prospect Of me-
, ing the "affectionate big brother"
tsTt gava me euch a scare L" She said ~