Evening star., 1901-11-16
CHAPTER U-(COnciudedD.
On the Poor side.

fallen into dire straits
CHAPTER U-(ConcIuded.
On the Poor side.
"Sir, stay If you were free tomorrow
what would you do?"
What should l do If 1 were free?' HIS
eyes suddenly lit up IF l were 1ree! l
have never dared to ask the question. If
were free! Why speak of impossiolli-
ties?'
Sir" The lady placed her hand upon his
arm. Believe me. 1t is not impossible
Say-again-if you were free?'
IF l were free-oh. If 1 were free"'
sudden flush of color flew into his cheeks.
''If were free 1 should go back to the In
ner Temple. Where else could l go?'
"And then?'
'I should wait on fortune. There are
many chances for barrister. Why, am
a scholar as good as most of them. know
as much law as any of those who are be-
ginning. / can speak-I learned to speak
at Trinity-all Irishmen, they say, can
speak. / should make, somehow, start,
and-and-and-oh God-I am a prisoner,
on the Poor Side. My brain is on fire. 1t
is your wine and your compassion. And
dream of kings counsel and of judges!'
The tears crowded to his eyes and rolled
down his cheek
Sir" she repeated. 'I will not 1 say, do
you the injustice We contemplated. Mean
long silk purse-with gold at both ends-in
his hands-'let me-against the time when
you kings counsel and have taken silk
and are sergeant-at-law-advan you
small sum-"
He stood silent. The purse lay in his
hand-he was transfiXed. His eyes filled
with tears. Madam he gasped at length,
speaking in a manner, at random, as one
who knows not what to say, ''it is too
much You are an angel. The prison has
become a pool of Bethesda Its waters. to
- .lr
takes the prisoners out of the troubled
waters 1t Is not quite the same" He
collect himself. Madam he said. how
shall I-madam. you overwhelm me-"
Then show your sense by taking the
money. Indeed, sir. you must. 1t is neces-
sary for you to return to the other side to
be once more habited as becomes your pro-
feSSiOn, to live If you must remain for a
while in this place with the gentlemen who
are for the time your companions. Sir if
you refuse you will insult me 1 shall be-
lieve that you mean to insult me. Sir,
what have L done that you should insult a
stranger? She took up the purse and
again placed it in his hand.
Madam. place my honor in your hands
when | take this purse Perhaps-pay l
know not how, or when, If it is possible
Kind heaven may one day give me the op-
portunity. Your honor is always safe in
your own hands. but there may be a time
there may be-once a mouse deliv-
cred lion
Sir. l am sure that if such time were
W COHlS SIOulu De dDle TO depend
You. Remember that on many occasions
knight"
He received the purse. but unwillingIy.
10 take the ladys money was to lower
hlmSef In her eyes. Yet he was poor and
In rags and had no means of buying the
next meal: no bed and no blanket; no books
and no occupation.
If, madam, L must take your MONEY!
at least let me Know
My name? No. sir. best not to know.
i have learned yours. Let me watch vour
course, myself unseen
Then. let me, only for once, see that
lovely face l know that il is lovely he
cause 1t is the home of pity. For once let
me look upon it, if only that 1 may grave
1t upon my heart
The lady lifted her mask The young
man was right Truly. it was lovely face
And now il was glowing with pity and
DIushings, with the shame of being found
out IN kind action; her eyes, downcast.
were. full of tears; her cheek was humid
with tears; she looked like the very god
IssS OF pity. The young man sank upon
MS knees. he forgot his rags and his poy-
erty ne forgot his bare legs and his bare
feet, his stubby beard ana his unkemn, VIC.
he was gentleman once more and gaI
iant, and worshiper of the sex He took
her nand and bent over it and kissed it
as a grateful gentleman should
Just then Mrs. Brymer opened the door
may come in? she asked. The Young
man rose and retired a step. The dress
maker ma however. saw him on his knees;
Wlthout her mask. the tears in her eyes
and the newly born loon of hone and iov
in the face of the prisoner from the .U pooy 10Y
Side Ai 'he Foor
Iut-tut," she said This is yerv nm
puslness-lke, madam she stopped and
whispered Take back your purse Let
me zeal with him. Five shillings a week
ana ne will be dead in six months-and Won
VIII De Tree Oh. you have suffered your-
SELF TO pity him! Shame! Shame, B1siness
Knows no PITY She stood t1p and s,iffd
violently to show her dsapproyaI of metb
ods quite obsolete in business
mrs Brymer," said her debtor ,tbare
VIII De no business done between this voune
gentleman and myself" o
She rose and held out her hand to III,
prisoner Sir, l am sorry that / nisrook
your condition and your station Forgive
pray you, the nature of the proposaI tbat
was made to you. Meantime"-she pressed
MS hand with announcement = ..hone =
dream OF freedom - let your thouubts at
least return to the Temple
1t Is but an advance-a trifine ad
vance she dropped her voice to a ,yhisnar
I'M you hear from me again. she re-
placed the mask. Now Mrs Rrvrner
she said, you have still another way Let
US lose no time. Let US go at once and
aoopt that other way-my heart mas now
become ike adamant for hardness Do NOT
IedI Ior me any more Like steel or ada
nlaht or the neither millstone" AS thev
went OUT, she turned back The prisonar
was gazing after her stupidity "Sir fare
wen Or not farewell. To our next MT
Hls- ferhaps, after all, you NAV save INV
reputation save my