The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1912-05-20
Helen
Independence

Helen looked up at the conductor
with a flushed face. I'm sorry" she
said. but I'm afraid that I have no
money"
Il guess you can find it if you have
to-" h snorted as he passed on. Look
again-and hurry up"
He went out on the rear platform
for a moment, but soon he followed
another incoming passenger up the
aisle
Il really can't find a single coin, -
said Helen, looking up from her dis
ordered purse.
That's all right" was the more
gracious response "A gent out on
the platform staked you"
Was it that man in the soft hat?"
she asked as she caught sight of Har-
vey Tenant trying to look uncon-
cerned
Sure thing" he assented. "shall I
send him in?"
Il do not care to be under obliga-
tons to the gentleman" she said
coldly. please stop the car
1t was intolerable that after last
night Harvey should presume to pay
her car fare. Had it been a total
stranger she would have been CRATE
full, but a man who only the night
before had assured her that she could
not get along without him! She
would show him that she could, and
she swept off the car with a majestic
dignity that caused Tenant to smile
Look here. Nell" he protested az
he followed her to the sidewalk, you
must not be here alone. 1t is one OF
the toughest districts in town"
so l judge from its inha bitants.'
she said with a meaning glance al
him. 1T seems that they take pleas.
ure III annoying unprotected women
That's just the trouble" he said
placidly, though his face Redeemed
Don't be foolish. Let me lend you q
nickel. You can send it back tonight
1t is only what l would do for any
woman in the same fix" IL.
81 do not have to trespass upon
your chivalry," she declared, with 8
scornful accent upon the last word
Il am amply able to take care of my
self"
81 believe we discussed that to nc
purpose last night" he said coldly
Il adhere to my original opinion"
And l to mine" she shifted, as sh.
began to walk on Harvey dropped
back a few PAGES and followed her
The dozen blocks bordering the
freight yards bore a most unsavory
reputation. No gently-bred woman
was safe from insult
And just because he had venture(
to criticise her holiness in venturins
out alone on her charity visits sh,
had broken their engagement tn,
night before with the scornful state
ment that she was amply able to takt
care of herself and would have naugh
Of a husband who already showed
such a disposition to bully.
He did not have long to wait fo
his revenge. On the next block /;
crowd of halfdrunken loafers reelet
from a saloon. Helen shrank to tn,
edge Of the sidewalk and by her yer.
precaution attracted their attention.
There's me mussis," shouted on'
as he lurched toward her. "Com'
here, me dear, and let hubby have 1
! few coins for his beer"
AS he staggered toward her Heller
raised her hands to ward him off, AM
| in doing SO dropped her bundles. Witt
a wild yell the rest Of the crowd drov'
after the parcels just as Harvey dash
/ ed up.
A few weil-directed kicks scattere.
! the crowd, but the first speaker wa
! less easily disposed of. The idea tina
/ Helen was his wife had entered hi
! drunken brain and refused to be dis
| lodged and he made an attempt t
/ clasp her in his arms while demandin,
Of the new conner why he should seel
to separate loving pair.
Harvey's answer was a blow tina
I sent him sprawling, but he scrambled
/ to his feet In an instant and staggered
! toward his assailant. waving a cottol
hook that had dangled from his belt.
With a scream Helen sought Il
j throw herself between the two men
but Harvey thrust her quickly aside
The man in his drunken insanit.
: would MAKE no QlSClnCtlOn anu II va!
+ a fight man to man.
/ He had had some experience on thu
mat. Had been the wrestling cham
pion of his club for two seasons, anC
he Unanswered for an opening. L
was no easy matter for he had seer
fights among the longshOremen ant
know that a cotton hook was far more
dangerous than a knife. It was some
time before he could find his opening
but at last he closed in with a rush
pinioning his adversary's arms close
to his side. After that the fight was
a short one. Once at disadvantage
the rough collapsed and through {
sudden turn OF his thoughts became
lachrymose. Harvey tearfully lament
ing the loss of his wife while he as
sisted Helen to regain such bundles as
had been left her.
4 presume that you will not refuse
car fare now" he said as he straight
ened out his overcoat.
Don't you think We could have q
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