The Spectator., 1914-12-18
CHAPTER Xl-ContInued.

ole lady hurted?" beamed this cherubic parsonage.
 "No. only tired out" lied Hill glibly.
 'Ill histe yer to car," suggested the man. Never di-serted lady in distress. Nope!"
 'T'm afraid they wouldn't let us on . car," exclaimed Hill. Are you go- ing downtown, by chance?"
 "No. I'm a-goin' a-purpose!" grinned the man. Get in; I'll take yer fur es I'm goin'!"
 Hill did not wait to be urged fur ther. but carried Nita to the carriage door. which the heavily muf1ed coach man held open.
 Easy there. with yer maj" the lat ter warned him. Now jump in yer self. This heat Is too fierce to lay about in."
 The horse. which had stood pas eively under its meager blanket for hours. scarcely shifting foot. now scented the bear. and sidled on little, its city-trained senses scarcely revolt ing, yet finding in that unfamiliar odor some warning of danger. and the two men noted the action.
 What about the bear?" gasped Hill.
 From within the saloon came sounds which indicated that Mikey had dis. covered the trick played upon him.
 Whoa, my baby!" roared the happy cabby. Push the d-n bear inside!"
 In 8 moment 1t was done. not with out protest from MT. Jones. And as the bony horse. tossing his old head about with many suspicious snif, set on at tremendous pace. the window of the saloon flew open to disgorge the rotund figure of Mikey. who shouted an unintelligible threat. or command, upon the snow-filled air.
 At Twelfth street the cab came to a sudden halt beside the curb. and the , driver, diamounting from the box. opened the door and looked in.
 "This is where my stable is at." he announced. Right down the block. Guess youu have ter git out. How's yer maj" he added soncitously, as though to repair his rudeness in eject. ing them.
 Pretty bad." said Hill. Gone on again, I'm afraid"
 The cabby wrinkled up his face with a perplexed stare. and removing his hat. scratched his head with one heavily mittened hand.
 T really hadn't oughter." said he. "considerin' the hour and all. but l guess it's gotter be done. Where abouts do you hve?"
 Little Jones street," said Hill. and gave the number. Eve bit of money. Could you get us around there. do you think?"
 Well" said the cabby, T might as we'll make night of 1t. suppose. Take good care of yer ma, now. and I'll have yer home in jiffy!"
 Then he remounted the box. and soon they were vending a tortuous way through the silent squalor of lower Greenwich village. They stopped ct last before tall tenement. build. ing of uncompromising ugliness. whose intricate network of fire escapes was hung now with fairy drapery of white.
 Whining with disgust ct being again disturbed. MT. Jones jumped out clumsily. followed by Hill. who, with the cabby's help. carried the uncon- scious Nita Into the unlishted hallway. which gaped. sinister and forbidding. under the nethermost of the crowded fire-escape balconies. Here Hill. one arm about his charge. fumbled in his breast for his wallet. But the cabby pat up restraining hand.
 Never mind the coinl" he laughed. "Youse need 1t more'n me. guess. Better let the doctor take it; you're a-goin' ter need ter call him in! Yer seem all to the good. even if yer be dagoes!"
 You're . gentleman" exclaimed Hill. holding out his hand. Many thanks for your kindness. You seem vsry happy. May ask whyf should liks to congratulate you"