Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-27

after the oppressive warmth of the
house, and turned absently in the op-
posite direction from his rooms.
Half an hour later he brought up
with a start against a pile of build
ings that interrupted his progress. On
either side rose gloomy tenements. he
had wandered into the settlement of
Little Italy. He swung about, and
started to retrace his steps, when a
woman's voice startled his ears. 1t
was muffled, but unmistakably appeal
ing for help. In an alley that ran at
right angles with the street were two
figures, a girl struggling in the grasp
of man.
Cyril was upon them in a minute,
and in another was bearing off the girl,
while the fellow, one of the lowest
order, skunk away.
The girl paused under the light to
straighten her hat, more properly
bonnet; one of the Salvation army sort,
with modest strings under the chin. She
was out of breath but composed. Her
black gown outlined her slim figure.
Against her throat cleaned silver
cross.
"You should not be here alone at this
hour of the night" began Cyril, and
stopped. The eyes lifted to his own
sent the blood pounding through his
fronted him; older, perhaps less gen.
tie, but the same face.
''It is all right" she answered. Il
come and go in perfect safety. MY
bonnet, and this, protects me-"
She put her hand to the cross.
at was Alamo, little the worse for
drink"
Her calm. sweet courage thrilled his
heart. He put out his hand and drew
her arm into his.
Nevertheless, it is a risk" he said.
ct must see you home"
'"To the car, if you like she an
swered, strange little smile on her
lips.
and tried to imagine the girls of his
world. Miss Collins, for instance,
decked in such costume and minis
tering to the poor
At the end of the street she came to
a halt.
"That is all right" she said; IT
take my car here. Thank you very
much for your kindness"
Cyril, the fastidious, the fluent of
speech. stood cropping for words.
"I cannot leave YOU here" he began.
"I take my car here" she answered,
firmly.
'T wonder If can see yol a9ain?"
Cyril fioundered on.
A car had stopped by them The
girl put one foot on the step and
smiled at him over her shoulder.
"Perhaps,' she said. I'm fact, |
shouldn't be at all surprised If you did
see me again.
For the next few days Cyril haunte
Little italy in his leisure hours. There
were MANY pretty women, gay with the
colors of the old country, but no sim
figure and sweet face framed in
shabby bonnet.
On Friday he took a run up to his
aunt's, and remembered j'st as he
arrived that it was the time app ointed
to meet Miss Collins. Before he could
retreat his aunt descended upon MIN,
and bore him, business suit and all,
into the library. A tall. stately II
rose to meet him, superb In gown
of satin. The expression of her race
was cold and formal. but her eyes
: softened when they lighted on him. II
: was the girl of Little Italy-the CIR
he wanted to meet.
1t was late in the evening before rneS
: got a chance to talk
: "And you are the cod fastluious
, Miss Collins" he said
She shrugged her s'oulders anc
smiled a trife bitterly.
eff people knew" she answered
'sthey would call 1t fad, and picture
T me a charming daughter of the ricf
: among the slums."
"And you would have let me tn nj
vou the-the Miss Collins of your repu
tation," he finished bravely.
/, She lifted her eyes to his, and on he
face was the gentle, wistful look n
hod laarpod f0 love.