The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-04-30

the mother Of the man smoking thoughtfully
beneath.
Meanwhile, Philips thoughts were busy;
having once got the fellow into his room he
hardly knew how to get him out again, when
to have turned a dog away in such a storm,
weak and suffering, would have been down
right brutality. And to keep him till morn
ing seemed sheer quixotic folly.
Anyway he would hear his story first for
although his clothing was ragged, and he
presented the appearance of extreme poverty,
he had not the look of beggar. Down on
his luck, perhaps nothing more
When he had arrived so far in his con-
illusions he spoke:
"You are a foreigner?" breaking the silence
for the first time.
81 am an Italian by BIRTH was the re-
served reply.
"And, I understand, without means of sup
port?'
81 am absolutely destitute and when, sig
nore by your charity you took compassion
on me, was half dead with exhaustion and
hunger. I have been wandering half over
London in search Of" he checked himself
hastily, then continued hurriedly: For two
months 1 have slept without shelter, and for
two whole days not particle of food has
crossed my lips"
: 81 believe your story" said Philip, after a
pause; and am disposed to help you, but,
firstly, must hear little more about your
THAT, signore, 1 cannot tell you an
severed the Italian, shrinking and paling
visihly44 - . = = :. --
"And why?" queried Philip, sternly.
'That cannot say"
T "Then, under the circumstances how can
you reasonably expect assistance from me?'
continued his interrogation, in the same tone.
Il did not ask for your assistance, Signore.'
There was a quiet dignity in the fellows
reply that contrasted strangely with his
ragged clothing, and Castlemaine felt himself
growing more and more mystifed every min
ute, while, proud himself he could feel for the
pride of another and his tone softened as he
went over and laid a kindly hand on the fell
lows shoulder.
mo; nevertheless, wish to assist you, nor
do I particularly desire to pry into your af-
fairs. My impression is that you have seen
better times, and some misfortune has
brought you down to your present condition,
eh?"
Instead Of reply, the Italian burst into a
violent flood of weeping.
"Signore, your kindness overwhelms me!'
he muttered, brokenly, at length. "It is true.
am unfortunate, nothing more. I will tell
you this far" he went on rapidly. Three
months ago came to England. bringing all
I possessed, of small sum of money, that
was, my arrival. stolen from me.
II robbed of every quattrino I pos
sessed at the common lodging house to which
had been decoyed and drugged by it's
shameless owner, and then turned out to
starve. Since then 1 have been wandering
about the streets OF this great city, begging
starving until reduced to the state in which
you found me. Signore, for your charity to
destitute foreigner, L thank you."
He rose as he spoke.
"Nonsense!''' cried Castlemaine sharply
I'm not going to turn you out into this
binding storm. By the way, what is your
name?"
"Giulio Mazetti,'' was the hesitating reply.
"Well, then, Mazett, since chance has
thrown you in my way, tonight you can re-
main under this roof, and tomorrow I will
see what can be done for you. Come this
way"
He drew aside the heavy Oriental curtain
dividing the sttng-room from his sleeping
apartment, and, crossing the latter opened
another door.
This is my dressing-room,' he said. as he
turned up the lights; land in it you will
fnd an old suit of clothes-I judge you are
wet through-belongng to my late valet
who used to occupy this room for want of
other accommodation, and left me his old
clothes a legacy, while he went off with
my new ones and several other vauables
Put them on, and get under those bed
clothes, and tomorrow we'll see what can be
DONE
'Signore, do you mean this?" uueried the
Italian, looking bewildered
'.Of course 1 do was the cheerful reply:
then he laid his hand on the fellows Shout
der, and said, gravely
Remember my lad, I am trusting YOU do
katr nat tr11ct