The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1908-02-13

while a policeman kept the passage
clear. Twist pushed his way through
the throng and sought the doorkeepeI
in his little office.
Can you tell me where Miss Balara
is staying?"
mo, sir, I cannot. 1t is against the
rules for me to give the address of any
artistic performing at this theater."
81 am aware of that" answered
Twist, as he quietly pushed a sover
eign under a newspaper. Il only
wanted to know whether | should be
right in sending a letter to the Mid
land"
Better try the Grand, SIR" answer
ed the man in an undertone.
Thank you" and Twist, having Sc
cured his information, mingled once
again with the crowd.
A few minutes later Judith Balara
came out of the stage door and enter,
ed her carriage. The crowd surged
around cheering, and eager to obtain a
sight of their favorite. One old man
pressed forward and gazed through
the open window OF the brougham.
"Eh, lass, but AID jest loove T. sithee
do a turn wi tn clogs"
Miss Ballard laughed and threw him
a rose from her bouquet, and the
horses started forward, followed by a
tremendous cheer. The animals
startled by the sound, plunged madly
onward, and, Notwithstanding the eff
forts of the driver, turned the corner
and dashed into the road. Then came
a warning cry, the horses were
brought to a standstill by a policeman,
and lying senseless in the road was
the figure OF a young girl.
In an instant all was confusion. A
ring was formed round the carriage,
and Miss Ballard, in her magnificent
dress, knelt on the muddy pavement
and supported the fair head of the un.
conscious girl.
"The poor, sweet darlingl And is
she hurt much, do you think, consta.
ble?"
only a faint, I think, miss; the
wheel only touched her"
And, as If TO co%rroborate his words
the girl opened her eyes and looked
up at the beautiful face OF the dancer.
II am not hurt. | think; only /
feel very weak and strange"
Sure and You must be, you poor
dear. Lift her into the carriage, con.
stable, and III take her with me and
look after her"
The girl was was lifted into the
carriage, and in a few minutes they
reached the Grand Hotel, where Miss
Ballard occupied a suite of rooms.
And now, my dear, I'm going to
look after you for the night; so If you
have any friends you'd like to send to
you'll find telegraph forms on that
table"
You are very good to me, but |
have no friends; at least, | have only
one. But l Go not know where to find
him.
mo friends! Sure, then, Provi.
dence has sent you to me, for though
| am known to thousands as Judith
Ballard, haven't got a friend in the
world. What is your name?"
"My name is-but what does it mat
ter? / would rather be without a
name. l am told that my father has
cast me off and my lover is a fugitive
from justice. IL do not know what
to think"
"Ah! Poor little one, you are in
trouble. Let me take off your wet
things, and sit down in one Of my
dressing gowns IN front of the fire.
Wait till | order a nice hot supper to
be sent up"
She settled her visitor in a huge
arm chair, which she turned round to
the fire. After giving her orders she
seated herself on the fender, clasping
her knees with both hands.
Now, my dear, tell me just as much
about yourself as you feel inclined to
do; but while you are doing it | wan,
you to hook upon Judith Ballard as
your friend, and make up your mind
to stay with me-"
"Ah! You are kind to me, and
want a friend badly, so badly. Many
have professed to be my friends dur
ing the last few days, but their friend
ship has only led me into further mis-
cry"
Ito Be C%ontinued.)