Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-19
CHAPTER II.

Out once more into the Strand, un-
noticed, unsupported. the little company
wound it's way. The man, bent almost
double, so that his deformity was even
exaggerated. pushed his barrow and
forged ahead at a speed which was al
most incredible. The girl walked by his
side with swift. even footsteps and with
downcast head. The monkey slept
Once the man paused. but the girl shook
her head.
Not again tonight she said. I'VE
may we'll starve at home as in Jail.
You strike too hard
at was the wrong MANI" he muttered.
ut was the wrong man." she assented.
Down the Savoy hill. along the EN-
bankment and across Waterloo bridge
they made their unhesitating way. Near
the farther end the girl for the first
time paused. She turned around and
looked across the river, inky black. to
the long sweep of lights which bordered
the Embankment. She looked beyond,
to where the two great hotels seemed to
vie with each other in a blaze of light,
reflected far across the gloomy waters.
Farther still. to where the houses of
parliament shone with somewhat SUBJ
dued glory. Across the sky beyond hung
the golden haze Of a million lights, the
reflection from the great seething heart
of London caught up and mirrored in the
clouds. She looked at it steadfastly.
with a scowl upon her sullen face.
so this is Itondon!'' she muttered. Il
wish-oh! ! wish"
Her companion dropped the handles of
the barrow with a little gesture Of weari-
ness. He was glad Of the moments rest
You wish?'' he murmured. Go on!'
She raised her arms with an impulsive
gesture. Her face was suddenly illu
minated with a bitter transferring light.
hind the ages she cried. Il wish
could call down fire and birthstone upon
every street and house whose lights go
fiaring up to the sky. They are not men
and women any longer, these people who
walk the streets. who jostle lis from the
sidewalk They are beasts! They have
the mark Of the beast upon their fore
heads. They throw their pennies with
a curse They hunt for pleasure like
wolves. Not one smile not one have I
The man. too. looked up at the redeemed
sky. And yet he muttered. "some-
where underneath there lies fortune-for-
tune for you. Christine. Gold rest.
luxury" he added. glancins at her stealth
lily.
And for you. too, Ambrose" said the
girl. with faint softening of her tone.
He picked up the handles of his bar
row, avoiding her gaze. Perhaps" he
They continued their pilgrimage: the
end was not far off. The man turned
up a passage with the piano. The girl
entered a small shop and made some
humble purchases. They met, a few min
utes later, in the stuffy hall of ne
elected, smoke-begrimed house. in the
middle of a row of similar buildings
Silently they made their way into back
sitting room The floor was bare of any
carpet. the paper hung down in strips
from the walls, the wooden mantelpiece
knew no ornaments. The table in the
middle Of the room was covered with a
sheet of hard oilskin. stained in many
places. The two cane chairs were of odd
design. One had only three legs: the
other had a hole in the middle. where
the cane had worn away. The only
sound article of furniture was a horse
hair sofa. and of this the springs were
almost visible. The girl threw herself
upon it with a little Sob
tTo he continued tomorrow