Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-17

their green and yellow lights; footsteps of
men made loud, friendly echoes and at the
corner woman was crossing as uncon-
cernedly as though the white radiance of
the electric lights were so much MONDAY
sunshine. Then came a block along 9TH
street where the Illuminated windows i'm
piled sociability, and after that a long, old
fashioned street, where the houses went
to sleep at 10 o'clock, leaving far-between
gas lamps in charge. 1t was a street where
the shadows were extra big and black, but
they hid no evil, and the woman reached
home jubilantly conscious that not even
the night is quite so black as It's painted.
Escorted Her Home.
Her first experience came after she had
encouraged herself to believe she would
have none. 1t had been red-letter day,
and she was swinging along, reveling in the
good news she was taking to her comrade,
when something out of the silence brushed
against her dress. 1t was a man on a
wheel. In two bounds she was on the pave
ment and he was beside her near the curb.
Il beg your pardon for frightening you,
but you should not walk where you are
liable to be run down."
The street was wide and they had 1t to
themselves, but, in obedience to instruction.
she made no answer as she hurried. The
man kept up with her.
II am really and truly sorry to have
alarmed you. I'm afraid you are a cow
ard madam, and as it is too late an hour
for even a brave lady to be on the street
alone, l shall escort you home. Oh, dom
mention 1t. have all night before me-
The woman kept on in silence, with her
heart humping like trip hammer, and the
man rolled his machine beside her until
they reached her home Then he said:
II wish to remark in parting that I am
not bold, bad man. / admit wheeled up
to you because I was curious to know
what manner of woman 1t could be who
was taking the street, as II the night be-
m m rf n q nj
ends. II brought you home because you
are the most pitifully scared woman ever
saw. If it Is necessary for you to make a
practice of being out late l hope l may
serve you again. Let me suggest that you
get police whistle In case of emergency
and the next time fairly decent man
speaks to You don't pretend to be dumb
The woman bought a whistle and the
next time man spoke to her she an
swered.
Would Not Take Her Money.
Another night. A fog so thick that the
electric lights found 1t hard to shine through
It, An hour so late that nothing seemed
to be out except the woman and the
weather. AS she almost CROPPED her way
around corner man who looked unde-
fined enough to have been shaped out of the
blackness caught her by the arm.
Lady, tell me the time"
She did not know she was answering I'M
TIL she heard her voice IN reply.
IT have no watch sir, but 1t was quar-
ter past when left my office"
Haven't got match. have your
YES. sir. have two"-and she handed
him the couple she always carried. in case
the hall was dark at home.
.1'hanky? Got little money? Amt had
bite all day.
eyes, sir. I have a quarterI wish 1t was
more She opened her bag, fshed out her
purse. and shook out q, dime, a n1cel and
some pennies
Mem, mine. lady. II that's all you got-'
and the man stepped back and was swal-
lowed III the foG. The bat wings Of crime