The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-03-21
UNDER A
LAMPPOST.
By Emeric HuIme- Beanan.

THE fog of November evening had
! lifted, making way for the cold
and clammy touch of night.
Godfrey Bellairs, pausing halfway
across the London bridge in an aim
less walk, leaned on the parapet and
shivered, keenly conscious of the dis
comfort of the atmosphere
lie was thinly--e,en mcagerly-
clad. His single-brcaste coat was
buttoned tightly over his chest and
the collar of it was turned up: the
coat was aggressively threadbare-a
very eloquent testimony to the condi-
ton of the wearcr; its sleeves had
shrunk, exposing "A long expanse OF
wrist. unadorned by linen cuffs and
the edges of il were frayed.
But IL his attire did not sufficiently
testify to the fact. one glance at Geof-
frey Bellairs' face--with its sunken
cheeks, its hollow eyes, its unshaven
chin, its haggard. weary oppression
was enough to proclaim him instantly
a traveller on the high road of dcstitu-
ton. Indeed, he was already within
goal.
He had truly sunk low. The pre-
ception of contrast between what he
was and what he had been smotc him
with a sudden inclination TO break in
to "a mirthless laugh but the laugh
was rs suddenly checked upon his lips
and he started forward with quick
Aexcla nation.
4 hanson had driven rapidly to-
wards him, when. as il seemed with
out warning or reason. the horse had
SHE'D at passing obstacle. and. TAX
ing fright, would have broken the
next instant into wild gal.op, had
not Godfrey Bellairs, by prophetic
instinct, taken in the possibilities OF
the situation before they had time to
develop themselves, and. acting on the
impulse of an old athletic habit OF
earlier days, sprung forward and
seized the horses bride as it passed
him.
For yard or two he was dragged
along beside the animal: but the
weight of his body brought IT to a
sudden standstill beneath lamp
post. close to the pavement. The
whole incident had begun and ended
within the limit of few seconds, and
the horse stood motionless, while the
driver on the box called out his grufl
thanks to the man who had, at con
siderable risk TO himself, averted Q
possible accident.
l.. l.. I,nr ~
a lady seated inside the hanson. IL
bent forward, prompted by an ole
instinct of courtesy. to address u
her polite inquiry.
II trust" he began. that you arr
not" then he stopped midway II
his sentence. for the light Of tn
lamppost shone full on the face OF tn
lady. She was young, pretty ant
<ichly dressed.
"Eleanor." he exclaimed.
II NAV have been the cold night air
or the fright occasioned by the be
havior Of the horse. that sent httl
historical SILVER through the lady a
the sound of his voice. Or it may hav
been the sudden utterance OF ne
name by one whom she had imagine
stranger.
She leaned quickly forward as Geoi
frey Bcllnirs stepped back, and gaze
uneasily at the man standing unde
the lamppost, with his coat cola
turned up and his cap pulled over hi
eyes: a strange. half-frightencd rec
ignition leapt into her face as ne
glance rested upon him at an instar
with mute amazement.
what, Is it You, Geoff?'' she e.
claimed in low voice.
lie was already turning away. -
put out a OBTAINING hand, delicatel
glovcd. as though she would hay
tried to stop him. lie noticed II
gesture, and by an impulse almo
Of deiiancc--turncd again and face
her.
"Ycs--it is H. he said.
"Gcofrrcy-Capt. Bellairs'' 81
nurmurcd, with eyes still half i
credulous and cheeks flushing.
81 hope you were not hurt?" he
quircd formally.
She hesitated for the fraction Of
second, then for reply threw open q
folding doors of the hanson.
''Will you please--get ip"'' she sal
In tone between imperousness al
cntreaty.
Bellairs glanced swiftly, at ]