Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1906-11-09

which was just coming in sight.
A white haired man was standing
near the line wtth a girl beside him
As the car swung toward them the old
mans cane slipped on the edge Of the
asphalt, and he lurcAel forward and
would have fallen directly In front Of
the ear only that at the same moment
Duncan, who was several yards away.
made quick spring. forcing the old
man back II a safe foothold with his
left arm and saving himself from the
threatened fate by throwing his right
foot upon the forward end Of the car
as II came 70 a stop beside them. II
was a daring act made with quick eyes
and dependable muscles. hut none
knew better than Duncan himself how
different the ending might have been
Tie old man and the girl. however.
seemed 10 realize something ~ II. for
their faces We're white as they esSayed
TO thank him Duncan listened pro
testingly. The old man he did not even
hear, for he saw recognition In the
girls face. a recognition In which the
Indignation was forced back by her
present gratitude He mumulnd some
words Of depreciation IS he assisted the
agitated old man into the car and then
hurriedly excused himself and sought
a seat at the far end He did not care
for conversation with these two just
now.
As the car ran up + street and on to
Fourteenth many OF th" passengers
alighted. others got of ~ the Arlington
and opposite the White House and still
others at X after the ear turned up
Seventeenth. by the time II reached
Q only they three We're left. At the
next corner the girl tpuche q Aut13n.
The old man was still 50 agitated
from his narrow escape thar DE- trem-
bled as he rose unste4lily - his feet
In a moment Duncan was by bis side.
"All0w NE 10 help you, sir" he said
courtcously. Then few moments
later MS they reached the pavement, Is
your home farE"
"Thrrc blocks and down the anXt nj.
ley" the old man answered.
Duncan understood. and he made
motion for the car 70 20 OIL. The
northwest was the arlstocratIc part of
Washington, hut three blocks and an
alley thus far beyond X was also pre-
sumptiye Of economy He guided the
old man II the sidewalk The girl fol
lowed. her face full Of doubt.
Il am afraid this Is not your place
for leaving the car" she hcsitated. ~
saw you % past L street yesterday,
and other days yoG have been In the
same cur with Us and gone by"
WHY, really, had hot noticed" with
half apology IN his voice, But then
am an a5sentm.Uded sort OF fellow,
and when in the car am usually read
ing or thinking Easy. easy, my dear
sir" as the ola man stumbled a little;
lean on me until you feel stronger.
You have had a good deal of-er-ex-
citement lately. am afraid, and that
narrow escape at the car was sufficient
to unnerve any one. You will be all
right again in few hours"
Il am all right now" quayered the
ed Of betrayiug weakness. Il have not
slept any in about week, and that has
upset me a trile We are very much
obliged to you. sir, but viii not intrude
further on your time"
The old man threw back his shoul-
ders as though for indignant denial
but 1t was a last effort of the fraiL
overwrought body He swayed dizzily
for moment, then the tired old eyes
closed in uncousclousneSs.
But as they did so Duucan's strong
arms closed about the slight form, lift
Ing him as though he We're child.
Walk on ahead, miss" he com
manded, "as rapidly as you can. Will
keep up 1t is only a temporary faint
ness. | think, bur we must get your IA
ther into his bed as quickly as possible
Then | will telephone for a physician
The girls face had grown white, and
after quick, inquring glance at her
father she turned and sped away,
three blocks and down the next alley,
and then the girl fitted a key into a
door which made Duncan's brows
come together irritably. 1t was not
economy; it was poverty.
Ten minutes later he was hurrying
toward the corner drug store TO tele
phone for a physician. When the ply.
sician arrived he was back by the bed.
side. He watched there that night In
spite of the girls protests and against
~ t,-+ f,-
weak eyelids iuttered open and faint
voice insisted that nothing was needed
except an hours rest, and in the morn
ing. while the girl dozed uneasily IN
her chair, he slipped back into the tiny
kitchen and got breakfast for them.
At the table. which was a small
stand drawn up beside the bed, he
whimscally assumed the double role
of host and guest and before the mea
was ended had them both laughing
When finally he left with declara
ton that he would he back in an hour
the girl accompanied him to the door
The last veStige Of wondering resent
, ment was gone from her face and in
Its place were gratitude and confidence
II really do not think there will be
any further need for your help Mr.
Duncan" she said. Father Is mucl
better now and | can look after hin
all right. He has had such turns be
fore when under high nervous strain
and-and the strain this time has beer
greater than ever before. We are botl
, very grateful to you for your kind
ness"
Duncan smiled deprecatingly.
1T was the least | could do-after,