Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-09

Outside the square, all around, and surg
ing past the big marble arch, couId De
heard the roar and din OF the great city
that maelstrom which now seemed ready
to engulf her. No sound of children
voices or merry laughter reached her-only
the rumblng of countless wheels, the slow
thud of crowded stages and the ceaseless
scrapings OF a thousand feet.
She wasn't sure how long she had sat
there. A long time. anyhow. for the bench
had been flooded with cheering May sun
light when she took It, Now the sun had
almost disappeared; the evening air was
beginning to grow chill, and she wore no
wrap. Every now and then she shivered,
but she seemed scarcely aware of the fact;
she was watching the crowd OF workers on
their way from their long days work, Won
dering how they lived and earned their
freedom from such cares as were now OPP
pressing her.
She had walked softly to that bench with
the dragging steps of very exhaustion. 1t
seemed to her that every city block she
had traversed that day had been so many
miles-the distance from one stage door
TO another incalculabIe. After her last dis
appointment she had dragged herself wear
lily to her lodging house on 18th street,
only TO be told by her landIady that unless
she paid the three weeks rental due her
room might be considered occupied.
She could not have told them what IN
etinct set her feet In the direction of WASH
ington square-a vague notion perhaps that
homeless girls might snatch q bit of sleep
there-a nostalgia for the familiar sight
of trees and green; principally II may be
because one place was as good as another.
AS she leaned forward on the bench. her
face In her hands her elbows on her knees,
the girls thoughts harked back to home.
She knew what they were all doing at this
hour She could see her two freckle- faced
brothers, whisting merrily. towels in hand,
helping with the dishes Cthey had supper
early IN that dear old western town OF
theirs). Pretty little Sue was In the midst
of them. commanding. her curls about her
face. She could see her father in the big
chair reading by the lamp-that fond old
father who had held her hands teuderiy
and begged her not to go, but to stay and
continue singing In the church choir and
acting in the little school house. She could
see Somebody Else
Suddenly her ears were assailed by the
cries of a dog In pain. Instantly the girl
was on her feet small fox terrier was
running toward her, followed by several
boys pelttng him with stones. The girl
sprang forward. and as the tiny creature
crouched at her feet she gathered him up
In her arms.
She was carefully examining the dogs
legs 10 see II any bones We're broken, when
a red-faced pOliceman's voice broke in:
Eff that amt Yer dog, wat yer dom wild
him? See here, l been a-watchiu' ye loafin
round fer two hours. Yer got ter move
on, or I'll run ye In. Dye moind?"
The girls eyes flashed, although she an
swered quietly enough.
You can do you please; but I'll take
care of this dog. no matter what happens.
You ought to be ashamed of yourself TO see
him hurt and not want to protect him"
She laid her hand protectingly on the ter
rler's head
Under the caress the dog expressed his
appreciation by slight movement of his
tail. Then his ears shot forward. He
heard a whistle. 1t came from rather
stout but stylishly- gOwned woman who had
Just entered the Arch and was rapidly walk
ing up the path. where a small crowd
was already gathering. With a quick
the girls arm and sprang toward the whs-
tier.
rs II you I have TO thank for saving my
pet?' she asked. breathlessly, of the girl.
The little rascal ran out and got into the
square before l knew It. Our janitress told
me some boys were pelting him. l live
right across the street-you can see the
house from here. I'm awfully, awfully
much obliged TO you for protecting him"
"Oh that's all RI the girl began. But
the sentence didn't finish itself Instead,
her unconscious body dropped with soft
hudde to the ground. There was a drink
ing fountain playing near, and the woman
imperiously Indicated It to the red-faced
policeman.
Here" she said. handing him ridiculous
bit of cambria, dip this quickly in the
water" Then she passed the wet handker-