Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1912-01-19
Helen S
=. -
independence

to-" he snorted as he passed Oh. LooA
again-and hurry up
He went out on the rear platform
for moment. but soon be followed
another incoming passenger up the
aisle.
Il really can't find siugle 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 !
send him in?"
Il do not care to be under oblign.
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 Il 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 majestic
dignity that caused Tenant TO smile,
Look here. Nell" he protested rs
he followed her TO the sidewalk. you
In oil nt
the toughest districts in town
$50 judge from Its inhabitants"
she said with a meaning glance al
him. 1T seems that they take pleas
That's just the trouble" he saiG
placdly. though his face REDEEMED
Don't be foolish. Let me lend YOU d
nickel. You can send ii back tonight
It is only what l would do for any
woman in the same fXN
81 do not have to trespass upor
your chivalry," she declared, with d
scornful accent upon the last word
Il am amply able 10 take care Of lay
SELF
~ believe we discussed that TO ne
purpose last night he said coIdiy
u adhere to my original opinion
"And TO mine" she shifted, as she
began to walk on. Harvey dropped
back few PAGES and followed ner
The dozen blocks bordering the
freight yards bore most unsavory
reputation. No gently-hred woman
was safe from insult
And just because he had vent3reo
TO critlcise her boldness in vcnlurine
out alone on her charity visits she
had broken their engagement the
night before with the scornful state.
ment that she was amply able TO take
care OF herself and would have narght
of a husband who already showed
such a disposition to bully.
He did not have long 10 wait FOL
his revenge. On the next block 4
crowd OF half-drunken loafers reeicG
from a saloon Helen shrant TO the
edge of the sidewalk and by her very
precaution attracted their attention.
There's me mussis." shouted one
as he lurched toward her. Come
here, me dear. and let hubby have a
few coins for his beer
AS he staggered toward her Helen
raised her hands TO ward him off, anC
in doing so dropped her bundles. Witt
a wild yell the rest Of the crowd drove
after the parcels just as Harvey dash
ed up.
A few well-dirccted kicks scattered
the crowd. but the first speaker was
less easily disposed of. The idea that
Helen was his wife had entered MS
drunken braiS and refused TO be dis
lodged and he made an attempt &c
clasp her in his arms while demanding
OF the new conner why he should seek
to separate a loving pair
Harvey'S answer was blow that
sent him sprawling. bur he scrambled
to his feet in an instant and staggered
toward his assailan;. waving cotton
hook that had dangled from his belt.
With "A scream Helen sought 10
throw neIScU Dtt "'tii L'i| 49, '''S''
bur Harvey thrust her quickly aside
The man in his drunken insanity
would make no distinction and it was
a fight man 10 man.
He had had some experience on the
mat. Had been the wrestling cham.
pion OF mis- club for two seasons. and
he Unanswered for an opening. II
was no easy matter for he had seen
fights among the lon2shoremen and
know that a cotton hook was far more
dangerous than knife. Il was some
time before he could find his opening
but at last ne closed in with 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
lachrrmose. Harvey tearfuily lament
ing the loss Of his wife while he as
sisted Helen 10 regain such bundles as
had been left her.
81 presume that YOU Will not refuse