The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1901-09-20
,f"H HE condition OF our streets
is positively disgraceful,"

over unstable boards and loose paw
lug stones, where the crossings once
had been. 1t was then that she saw
him first.
He was a tall and well.made man,
walking somewhat slowly just ahead
of her. Suddenly he stumbled and
almost fell. In recovering himself he
turned and paused irresolute, as IL un-
certain which way TO go. He was
now facing her and she saw his ex-
preston of helpless bewilderment, and
saw, too, that he was blind
With n sudden pity for his misfor-
tune and predicament she advanced
toward him. Our streets are In such
a chaotic condition" she said. "Will
you allow me to pilot you to the oppo-
site sideT
''I should be most grateful to you"
he replied, lifting his hat. II have not
been in New York for some time and
confess that / find myself decidedly
at sea-"
She laid her gloved hand upon his
arm and kept 1t there until they had
reached the opposite sidewalk. Then
raising his hat again he thanked her
and she walked swiftly OH. But twice
she turned and looked back at him.
He had lost his confidence OF bearing
and was walking slowly and uncer-
talnly, while people jostled him rudely
as they passed. She wondered that n
man In his condition should have ven
tured out In the streets alone. Then
suddenly giving way to her kindly i'm
pulse she went back TO him and said
1--WE seem TO be going In the same di-
rection; would you like me TO walk be
side you and point out possible pit
fallsT
IL should be more than grateful to
you." he answered In a tone of relief.
"For, to tell the truth, have become
completely turned about and bewil
dered, and was wondering how ! could
get guide. / do not usually go out
In the streets alone, but to-day II has
been unavoidable. thought ! should
have no difficulty. but there seem to
have been many changes here In ten
years time. The confusion when one
can only hear II and not see its cause
lis indescribable"
"The cable cars. electric carriages,
bicycles, the increased population and
the upturned street, have all added
their share TO the confusion" said
Miss Agnew. But now we have safe
iy passed the junction of Fifth avenue
and Broadway and are walking up
Broadway"
my destination Is Thirty ifth street,
just east OF Sixth avenue" he said
But you are probably not going SO
far?"
yes and little beyond; so ! do not
go out of my way mt all"
He was evidently used 10 walking
with some one beside him. for as soon
as she had joined him his confidence
returned and he proceeded as briskly
and fearlessly as though he had his
sight. At the street crossings she laid
her hand lightly upon his arm and re-
moved IL as soon as the other side was
reached.
IL seemed the strangest thing in the
world to Mary Agnew 10 be walking
thus familiarly by the side of an un-
known man. And she felt Il al luck
had favored her when she had run the
gauntlet Of the half mile without meet
ing any of her friends. But the man
was gentleman. and something in
his helplessness had appealed most
strangely TO her.
When she signi6ed that they were
approaching Thirty-ffth street he
thanked her I'm well chosen words II
am quite at home from here" he add
ed. you see, I have counted my
steps from the corner more than once
and know precisely where to turn in
One grows very confident walking in
the dark-when one is on familiar
ground"
This unconventional episode haunted
Mary Agnew all that day. She caught
herself wondering again and again
who her stranger was and why he had
ventured out alone. Sometimes il
semed as If she had done something
inexcusably bold and unwomanly: yet
at the same time she felt that she
would never have forgiven herself
had she acted otherwise. His tall,
straight figure and fine face were still
present with her when. late that even.
ing. she entered a crowded ballroom
on her fathers arm.
Half an hour perhaps had passed
when she saw her old friend Jack Bev-
erton approaching with-could II bc
possible?-her stranger Of the morning.
Miss Agnew. allow me to introduce
my cousin. Anthony Gordon. once of
New York, lately OF the Far West and
now Of New York again. Jacks
words seemed buzzing in her ears.
81 am glad TO meet Mr. Gordon"
she said quietly. though her heart was
futtering strangely, as II had not
done since she was young, young
girl.
She saw him start and turn eagerly
toward her. Jack had now passed on.
and among the crowd these two
Seemed quite alone
1T Is you! ] was hoping I might
meet you again" Gordon said gladly.
1.-The world Is a small place. after allr'
Yes" she assented; yet confess
this Is a great surprise"
You probably think that a blind
man is even more out OF place in a
ballroom than In the city's crowded
streets. and l agree with you. but
Jack overpersuaded me. and now am
glad came! He promised to keep me
I'm tow and 70 introduce mo IN N fpyv