The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-02-16
A GUARDIAN ANGEL.
TFrom Modern Society,"

Al fog was trying with some success to
settle down upon London. and. the cleo
trio lights were doing their best to deal
with it. People were clamoring for cabs
anxious to get home before fares were
doubled or refused altogether. And
strolling policeman remarked to his col
league on point duty at the Circus that
they wouldn't be without a blanket to-
night, any way
But Jimmy Beachcroft was not de-
pressed. For Jimmy BeachcrOft, though
a modest man, as men go. could not
deny that ne was getting on. He had
been dining that evening with his pub
Usher. and had been told casually that
his second novel was going exceilently,
and that his third was wanted as soon
as he could make it ready.
Not SO bad said Jimmy to himself.
ftand I'm not tWenty-eight till tomor-
row. He took out his watch. AN hour
more he murmured-
The fog thickened slightly
Club or homer" asked Jimmy of him.
self He weighed the merits of the two.
On the one hand was a comfortable
chair, a fire, pleasant companions,
game Of billiards. and 50 forth On the
other a bachelor fat in the BrOmpton
Road He could picture it. dark and
lonely, in his minds eye. But in the fiat
above was Bernard Cunningham the
artist, and Madge. Madge should pc AZ
home tonight. I'm sure Bernard said
there was to be no rehearsal this even
ing. and that she was going to stay at
home,' said Jimmy to himself.
Madge lived in the fiat with her
brother and had a secondary part in the
| forthcoming production.
1T shall be home" remarked Jimmy
| to the end of his cigar .4Then can
! find out perhaps why Madge has been
snubbing me so persistently- Really.
fancy I'm quite worth marrying now"
He walked across the Circus and took
! his way down Piccadilly, Anxious to
reach home with as little interruption
as possible. he plunged through the
traffic to the less crowded side. It was
just then that he noticed a figure IN
front of him the timid figure of a girl
who was obviously frightened You can
see when a girl is frightened in the
streets. even from behind, by the quick
turn of her head to and fro. Now. when
a man is in love. as Jimmy was ms
first impulse is to help any other girl IN
trouble for the sake Of the girl he loves.
So Jimmy. being assured that the girl
was frightened, was inspired to protect
her But how? She was walking quick
~ along Piccadilly, and Jimmy hurried
after her.
NOW. shall I speak to her and offer
to find her bus or a cab, or to escort
her on foot2'' said Jimmy to himself 7
might explain that I am very respect
able, and have no evil designs, and
But at that moment some men came
out from a side street and the girl, look
ing apprehensively around her, darted
across the road to the other side. Jimmy
I glared at the men, and followed the girl
I'm afraid that would look a little
strange" he muttered, as he plodded
after her But it's beastly shame
that a girl should be startled like this
when there's a decent man close oy to
/ look after her"
After going for a hundred yards or so.
| during which Jimmy walked unobstru-
sively a little way behind her. resolved
to smite hip and thigh any one who IN
/ terrupted or insulted her, ne saw a knot
/ of men coming from the opposite direc-
/ ton. They were linked arm in arm and
] prOclaiming loudly in various keys that
| mo, nor you amt likely to. unless
you've got bail handy" remarked a po-
I liceman.
Jimmy braced himself for action as
the girl hurried on in front Of him. But
I suddenly she changed her course again
! and skipped behind q. crawling hanson
and across the road again.
Il have half a mind to tell her that
/ I'm here" said Jimmy to himself, land
that she needn't be alarmed
However, he decided that. as she was
in no real peril at present, he would
merely stand by, as it were, to help IN
\ case OF need.
The south side Of Piccadiny was al
4 most deserted, and the girl hurried
| quickly along without Interruption As
she passed the cab shelter she hesitated
I a moment. Some hanson drivers were
/ loudly chatting the man on the box OF
a four-wheeler and trying to improve
the shape of his tall hat with their nose
bags Jimmy had decided to give her
his company and protection in running
! the gauntlet. when she suddenly started
J forward at a great pace. They were
nearing Hyde Park corner when her
walk became a run. and Jimmy, taking
his cigar from his mouth, went after
her.
.sTlI see the poor little girl through,
now I've started he said to himself.
She sped across the open space and
| plunged into the knot of people gath
cred about the westward-bound omnl-
| buses. For a moment he lost sight of
/ her Then. as he pushed his way
! through the little crowd. he saw that
she was clambering into a Putney bus
well I suppose she's safe now, he
said to himself, it must be confessed,
with a tinge of disappointment. ANY
way, I've done my duty
Jimmy lifted his umbrella and called
poor little girl Pity she didn't know I
was looking after her he said to himself,
as the cab sped down Park Side.
At Burlington Mansions he stopped the
cab. By this time he had forgotten the
/ anticipation of seeing Madge Cunning
ham. He passed By his own fiat which
not a bachelor IN thousand VINO would
I willingly go home until he wants TO go 80
rang the electric bell.
Ties just gone to post letter, think,
We'll. then. I'll come in and wait for
/ him" said Jimmy. his heart jumping at
HE expected you, I believe" said the
maid. leading the way to Bernard Cum
I nln&Han STUDIO. winch served also as
1 the sitting room of the fiat.
But Madge not there The studio
/ was empty. the sofa which she gener-
| ally sat in the evening was in its accus-
| toned place before the fire, and the cush-
ion in the corner on which she rested was
| crumpled as though by a recent occu-
| pant Jimmy stepped across and kissed it.
/ Rather a pretty incident for a story
/ he said to himself.
The sound of a key in the outer door,
and Jimmy stood erect before the fire,
I waiting.
The. studio door opened and Madge
rushed in
"Oh. I've had such an awful expert
Rncets she began, and seeing Jimrly
standing before the fire. stopped WHERE'S
Bernardo she asked.