The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1907-02-28

! testingly The old man he did not even
} bear. for he saw recognition IN the
girls face. recognition IN which the
indignation was forced back by her
, present gratitude. He mumblpd some
} words Of depreciation rs he assisted the
agltated old man into the car and then
hurriedly excused himself and sough,
seat at the far end. He did not care
for conversation with these two Just
now.
As the car ran up u street and on TO
Fourteenth many Of the passengers
alightcd, others got OF at the Arlington
and opposite the white House and still
others AZ X after the car turned up
Seventeenth. by the time II reached
Q only they three were left. AZ the
next corner the girl touched button.
The old man was still so agitated
from his narrow escape that he trem-
bled as he rose unsteadily TO his feet
In a moment Duncan was by his side.
ALLOW me TO help you. SIR" he said
courteously Then few moments
later as they reached the pavement, rs
your home fart"
Three blocks and down the next al
ley" the old man answered.
Duncan understood, and he made Il
motion for the car TO 20 on. The
northwest was the arlstocratic part OF
Washington. but three blocks and an
alley thus far beyond X was also pre-
sumptlye Of economy. He guided the
old man TO the sidewalk The girl fol
lowed, her face full OF doubt
II am afraid this Is not your place
| for leaving the car" she hesitated. IL
saw you 20 past Il street yesterday,
and other days you have been in the
same car with us and gone by"
"Why, really, ! had not noticed" with
a half apology In his voice. But then
! am an absentmlnded sort OF fellow,
and when in the car am usually read
Ing or thinking. Easy, easy, my dear
sir" as the old man stumbled n little;
'lean on me until you feel stronger
You have had good deal of--er-ex.
cltement 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"
II am all right now" quavered the
old man pcttIshly and as though asham.
ed OF betraying weakness. Il have not
slept any In about week, and that has
upset me trife We are very much
Obliged to you, sir, but will not intrude
further on your time"
The old man threw back his shoul- |
ders as though for indignant denial,
but II was a last effort Of the frail, |
overwrought body. He swayed dlzzily |
for nonans.-z.han- -si.- si---a- ->sss CO I
closed In unconsciousness.
But as they did so Duncan's strong |
arms closed about the slight form, lift |
Ing him as though he were child.
walk on ahead, miss" he com
nanded, ''as rapidly as you can. will
keep up. 1t Is only a temporary faint
ness, think, but we must get your ia
ther into his bed as quickly as possible.
Then | viii telephone for physician"
The girls face had grown white, and
after a quick, inquirlng glance at her
father she turned and sped away,
three blocks and down the next alley,
and then the girl fitted key into a
door which made Duncan's brows
come together irrltably. 1t was not
economy; ii was poverty
Ten minutes later he was hurrying
toward the corner drug store to tele-
phone for physician. When the ply
slclan arrived he was back by the bed
side. He watched there that night In
spite OF the girls protests and against
the old mans wishes, when at last the
weak eyelids futtered open and faint
voice insisted that nothing was needed
except an hours rest, and In the morn
Ing, while the girl dozed uneaslly 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
whimsically assumed the double role
of host and guest and before the meal
was ended had them both laughing
When finally he left. with declara-
ton that he would be back In an ho'.r.
the girl accompanied him to the do
The last vestige OF Jnderlng resept-
ment was gone from her face and lp
Its place were gratitude and confidence.
u really do not think there will te
any further need for your help. NJ.
Duncan" she said. Father is mu =
better now. and can look after hj
all right He has had such turns | r"
fore when under high nervous strain.
and-and the strain this time has beer
greater than ever before. We are bo
very grateful TO you for your kind
ness"
Duncan smiled deprecatlnely.
at was the least could do-after"
he began; then added quickly: "But !
beg your pardon. | will not allule TO
that any more Whatever ! may have
felt yesterday, this morning must In
my pleasantest acqualntances. and any
thing may have done has beea real
pleasure. Your father has talked very
little, but what he has said conyimces
me that he must have been a wonder
ful man when himself And there $
another thing" as flush OF pride man
tied her face. may ] not ask yon to
tell me your namci ! want to taias 81
you as real friends. with a personality,
aud only know one Of you as 'Es'elie
and the other as father from the way
you addressed each other"
Her face showed surprise. h
do you really mean that you do not
know who my father isT she ques
toned.
"Only thai be is an lndefatlgable IL.
ventor and that he was at work upon
something for which an appropriation
was asked learned that much from
the speeches made while the bill was
before the senate
She looked al him questionlagly but
there were only friendly interest and !
Inquiry In his face
"Yes. be has been an lndefatgable
Inventor for many years" she replied.