The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-10

eyed girl standing near Betty tossed up her bare lace draped arms and be- gan to dance.
 Isn't it delicious" whispered Betty. Cant you feel how It stirs them"
 'Hush," said Edith. Look at that man"
 Betty looked. Up on one of the square. stone bases of the fountain stood the figure of a man. He was der sinuos Italian. His face and fig ure showed the worker, but the work CT who delights in his work. And most of all was the fire in the eyes. dark. eager. restless eyes, that swept the crowd and laughed at it as he sudden ly tilted back his head and began to sing Escamillo's song.
 It Is against the law to obtrude your ego upon the general public In New York city. Even while the girls and the crowd hung upon the golden. swinging notes its owner was quietly requested to close up otherwise desist He laughed Betty always loved to remember ,him, standing there on tho stone pedestal, his hat off, his face full of merry deviltry. And then swiftly. suddenly. before they raised 1t, he had leaped into the fountain.
 Barrett appeared in court the fol- lowing morning and took him under his protection as probation officer
 I'm sure I don't know what we're to do with you" he told him, as they walked down Sixth avenue from Jeff- erson Market Court. You mustn't go about committing suicide in public like that, my dear boy. It's against the law. You're disturbing the peace with spectacular effects. If you must die, go and do 1t privately and decently. Cut out the fireworks"
 Tonic looked ahead of him. his head very high. He was not ashamed, or repentant and he did not see any hu- nor In life. So Barrett, after forming his own opinion of the boy. took him over to Help House and waited to see what the applied science of localized philanthropy would do to his ego.
 But Tonic refused to amalgamate. so to speak. He would attend the Mu- sic Club fitfully, but he would not sing. He would sit and watch Betty at the piano. or else take her place to give her a rest, but ne would not talk with the other Italians and the House Ielpers." as Betty called the resident workers. wondered.
 It was early when Barrett arrived St Valentines eve. Betty was busy with the children in the big front room, tying up candy hearts with rib bon and hiding fortunes in little fa- vors. Barrett paused e moment in the doorway and went straight out to the little study where Edith was sitting at the plano.
 Its awfully good to see you back again" He held her hand in a close grip of good fellowship, his keen grey eyes searching her face for some tell tale expression that should betray her. we did not expect you SO soon."
 "No?" she smiled and turned away facing the group in the front room. "Who came with you. the man speak ing to Betty now"
 That" said Barrett slowly. deliber- ntely That is Tonic. He has deve- loped, hasn't he?'
 "Splendidly. With even that one re- suit. Help House has not failed. has itT'
 He caught the tremor in her voice and answered it instantly.
 Did you think lt had failed?"
 T don't know" Her voice was low and tired. There was no light in the room except for what came from the front room and he wished he could see her face better. Tt all seemed so difl ferent to me six months ago. Now it doesn't seem worth while"
 'I don't think 1t is," laughed Bar rett, comfortably Tt isn't any special benefit to the populace. It's only