The herald., 1917-03-01

the sill. she drew back with q bewilder.
ing smile of gratitude, bowed with the
grace of some titled lady and kissed
her dainty finger tips TO the donor of
the feathered pet.
The memory of the fnce of Miss
Thirty-one fingered in the thoughts of
Merrill all that day. Miss" they had
called her. Then possibly not wife,
mother o widow. And the little one
had nightly attracted him, too. The
mystery of their seclusion gave an add
ed spice 10 the situation. There might
be call for a %chivalrous attention. At
least, the proximity was pleasant. He
would miss the bird, but the next
morning the little child appeared ut
the window again and warmed his
heart with her innocent, grateful
smiles.
IN take a box of those" said Mer-
rill 10 a clerk in a toy store two eve
nings later, and started homeward with
a box of building blocks under his arm.
The landlady smiled covertly as he III
dicated their desired destination.
The weather changed during the
night and ii was too chilly for open
windows the next morning, but as he
glanced at the one across the court
Merrill was greeted with a pyramidical
message on the inside sill, formed OF
the painted wooded alphabet blocks:
Thank YOU
I'm glad Miss Thirty-One takes no
~offense," reflected Merrill. Its some
thing 10 keep me from the megrims-
having that little u to think Of"
he left out reference to the one that
was not little. and rather testify re-
Sented q quick mental suggestion that
his interest in the young lady in ques-
ton was a growing one, and that there
was a tinge Of hypocrisy in Indicating
the child as the main object of atten-
ton.
One evening Merrill, passing q small
ladies' bazaar shop, saw Miss Thirty
one and the little n inside. He
glanced through the window TO see the
young lady produce som. homemade
lace, which was measured and paid
for. As they came out he followed.
but did not approach them. He OBJ
served an ~ill-favOred man SLOUGH
Stealthily after them. carefully note
the building they entered and sneak
away.
1t was early the next morning when
Merrill arose and threw up his window
TO air the room. His first glance was
at the one opposite. 1t was closed,
but revealed. standing sideways, Miss
Thirty-twO. She was apparently speak
ing TO someone in the room and fun
bling with the building blocks, Merrill
noticed that her hand trembled and
that her face was unnaturaIly pale.
Suddenly she flashed q single glance
at him. Eloquent pleading was in her
eyes. Then her fingers moved among
the scattered blocks, and then, slow |
ly, but with precision, she spelled out
three words: 'Help-come quick !"
Merrill was down the steps in a flash. |
He hurried into the next building, he
located the opposite to his own
across the court. He stood still and
listened. There was a rustling against
the other side of the door, and it moved
as II somebody there was barring
egress.
1.-The money my wife left. Give it
to me, here, now, or I'll put you asleep
and get the child and put her where
you'll never see her again" uttered
the hOarse savage voice.
mo-" came Quiveringly, but firmly,
in femme tones. what l have, take.
Go, leave me in peace! You have no
wife-your neglect killed her, my poor
And the law has given me the
rightful charge of the child. The
money is for her education. You are
an escaped convict. / will betray you
than you should darken Irms's
life"
There was a savage growl, q rush.
Merrill burst open the door. He pinned
the ruffian by the throat TO the wall.
This man Is annoying your" spoke
Merrill quietly.
"Oh, drive him away, save me! Pro-
tect me-" sobbed Miss T%hirty-one, and
sank fainting to a couch, while the lit
tie one. just waking up, stared wonder
Ingly about her.
Col" spoke Merrill sternly, giving
the intruder a swing through the open
doorway. Il have heard enough to
know that If l speak one word to the
you will be out of this lady's
way effectually," and the fellow made
q swift retirement.
wont you be my uncle. just as dear
Aunty Audrey is my aunt?" chirped
little Lois Devere as Miss Thirty-one,
otherwise Audrey ClaxtOn, told Mer-
rill her mournful story of q sister who
had married q brutal husband, and had
eft the little one TO the care of her
sister.
You need a protector, and care
and love-" spoke Chester Merrill soft
y during the call a week later, and
Dick piped a glorious strain-and as