Evening star., 1901-12-14

liripid and fine provision of light-brown
hair. Her voice was low and soft.
Your father does no work, then?"
The girl hung her head, but made no
reply;
Where is your homer"
Here Mrs. Brymer pinched her again by
the slGeve "A 5 word in private With your
her into corner of the shop, lis none other
that the daughter of the man-you must
remember-named Fulton, once draper on
Ludgate Hill"
What? The man I caused to be a bank
rupt?"
NAY, madam. He was already bank
rupt. A respectable tradesman does not
fan for SO small sum. 1 believe that your
debt should by rights have been paid to
his creditors"
But he told me-
ooh, yes, he told you-does 1t signify a
button what he told you? Besides, know
the man. He was forever drinking at the
taverns, with his pot house companions,
when he ought to have been minding the
shop. Be easy, madam, about the bank
ruptcy."
Il cannot be easy about it,
LAS for the girl, give her half guinea,
then, and let her co.
Nay. I will inquire into her circum-
stances first"
"As you will. But she will do you
mischief. Mind, madam, be sure and Ger
tain you will bring mischief upon your
own head and through this girl
"A mlSCIlSl. w lldL ullSCllel Call lIlS CUllQ
do to me?'
LAS your ladyship pleases."
Isabel looked again at the girl. She stood
still, resigned, the tears on her cheeks. She
was too thin, too frail, to bear the blows of
penury, and she was far too lovely to face
the world alone and penniless.
Mrs. Brymer," she said, II am concern
ed with this girls distress. I must help
her. I must do something for her mother
and herself"
She returned to the girl "Will you take
me to your home?" Where do you liver
The girl mentioned one of the narrow
street, If Isabel had known, Of bad reputa-
tion for poverty and for vice. But" she
said, II know not how long we shall be
allowed to stay there, nor whittier we shall
go when we are turned into the street for
not paying the rent
Are things Sc bad, then?"
I'VE are only allowed to stay on out Of
charity. We may be turned out any day."
What would you do then?
Find an empty house to starve in; lie
! on shavings; go out and beg. Madam, what
can we DOR
"Heavensr' cried Isabel.
Mother will die. Oh, she will die; she
will die" and she began again to sob
Isabel took her by the arm and led her to
| the door. II will see your lodging and your
mother" she said.
AS it rolled the wheels began to speak, but
she alone heard what they said: Your
handiwork? they grumbled. Your handi-
work! This ruin; this misery; your handi-
work! Your handiworkH
She laid her hand upon the girls arm.
! my dear" she said, you shall not be
turned into the street; nor shall You be
| forced to starve." She said no more be-
cause she choked, but the tears stood in
| her eyes, and her spirit fell like lead. and
| the rumbling coach growled out. your
| handiwork-your handiwork-your handi-
| work. This ruin; this misery: these tears;
your handiwork; your handiwork; your
| handiwork.'
The girl stopped the coach at the en-
| trance of a narrow street of mean houses,
little more than court. They got down
| was but one-covered with all kinds Of
| refuse-bones, fish-heads and tails. cab
| bage stumps, turnip peelings. old shoes and
| broken pots and kettles The pavement
was broken, and In parts clean gone. leav-
| ing puddles broad and deep; there were no
| lamps; from the windows dangled clothes
| hung out to dry; the windows that were
! shut had the broken panes stuffed with
| rags.
| 'It is a poor street." said the girl. land
| our house Is the poorest in the street; and
| our room is the poorest in the house. VIII
your ladyship excuse the poverty?"
| She led the way up the stairs. The ban
| listers were broken away. Here and there
| step had vanished-it had been pulled up
! and burned to warm a room by some cold
! tenant. Those that were left We're inch
| deep in dirt. They seemed to have known
! no scrubbing brush since the house was
| built.
| On the second floor at the back, was the
| room In which this unfortunate family had
| found their last shelter. They could get no
/ lower down, unless they were turned into
the street and had to find refuge In an
| empty house. In the month of July one
| wants no fire, which was fortunate. One
wants food, however. and there was no
sign Of any. The cupboard door stood open.