The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-05-28

ter I had no will power left, no wom- anhood, no remorse. It was thus I came, there to that corner. I heard the policeman approaching along the side street and, terrified, sprang into the yard to escape; then-then I met you"
 ssTell me- I questioned earnestly, "what caused you to interfere between me and the officer r
 .sWhat! Oh, hardly know a touch of hysteria in the nervous exclama- .tion. "I was compelled to choose in stantly between his mercy and yours. The-1he difference seemed small enough then, but-but realized you were frightened also. and-and so I preferred to trust you. That was all. It was my fate, and-and. well didn't care much how it epded.
 eBut you endeavored to escape from me. You sought to compel my leav.s ing you P
 She. lifted her face again, flushing. saddened, slightly indignant, the brown eyes widening
 stPerhaps the soul was not all dead. 7 she returned gravely. Perhaps wom- anheod was not all gone did not know you I was in terror. But now am not afraid. believe I have found a man and 8 friend. y
 I was conscious of a sudden wild throb sof the heart, swift rush of blood through my veins.
 sT might have doubted that myself awhile ago. I acknowledged almost bitterly "but now am going to make good. Lord, how fellow can run to seed when he lets himself goi Don't you know you are helping me as much as I am you? You didn't find much out thereonly drunken discharged soldier, an ex-hobo with a Ia aborer's job. I've wasted my chance in life and been an internal fool. can see that plain enough and despfse myself for it. I knew 1t before you came The difference was then I didn't care. while now do. You have made me care Yes. you have. girl as she glanced up again. plainly startled by this unexpected avowai. You see, you belong to my class, little girl. and and you are the first of them to speak a kind word to me in five years. It's-it's bit tough to be cut dead by your own class z
 It was her hand, white and slender, which reached shyly across the table and touched mine, but her eyes alone made answer
 E ssThat IS all right continued, my voice shaking. 'I understand how you feel. But this is no it place for your kind. You better go home to your nlother
 She shook her head with decision.
 why not2 Is she hard ?''
 Yes. She would be very hard with me.n
 Do you mean you would rather risk it here with with me than go back and face her2
 Yes, even that she replied sober ly. sT have courage to fight it out here, but not there I know what it will mean if go back reproaches. gossip. ostraeism. all the petty mean nesses of small town. l0athe the very thought am strong again, and will not go. 1t is between God and me. this decision-between God and me She dropped her head, hiding her face upon her arms, Der shol1l- ders trembling. You yon may de spise me. You may think me the low est of the low, but I=-I an going to stay heres
 sat in silence, amazed. puzzled gazing across at her, my hands clinched
 LQA dclud1ly neal you 0tEe FISK yourself here with me
 With your help, with you as 8 friend to talk toyes.' 7
 But stop and think what I am,'' I urged recklessly. A mere hobo.
 No. ? she said earnestly You are not that. You are man.
 For long minute I did not an- swer. unable to determine WhatNto dos how to act We had both finished our meal, and there was no excuse for lingering longer at the table
 You will go with me, then r
 Yes.''