CHAPTER XIV.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 11023, 14 September 1897, Page 4

CHAPTER XIV.

AN ARGUMENT IN WHICH MR CARROL GOES TO THE FRONT WITH FLYIXG COLORS. The next moment the young man turned to Florence with the old luminous smile, which she remembered so well, and a 9 calm and serene as if he had but juit shoved some light inanimate obstaclo from his patjh. " 1 hope he did not hurt you," ho said, putting out his hand to c'asp the trembling one which she exterded to him, while his heart leaped with secret joy at the confiding look which she flashed up at him. •• No; but oh! lam so glad that you came to my assistance," she responded somewhat nervoasly and still clinging to his hand as if fearful of being spirited away from him. Hor emphasis upon the pronoun had thrilled him again. It was as if ?he felt that her safety was assured under his protection. " Have you any idea who the villain is?" he questioned, drawing her aside, for the attention of people around them had been attracted to the stunned and prostrate figure on the ground. "Not the slightest," tho fair girl returned with a shiver. "I le^t nuntie at Madame Joy'a furoishing-stoip, opposite, while I ran across here to get a book that I very much wanted. Just as I stopped out side he accosted me, talking as if he knew me, and insisting that I must go with him. What should I havo done if you had not come to my rescue?" "Why, some one else wouLl have come," he returned, smiling down into her troubled eyes. "Ah but I am very glad it was not ' some one else ; because — because I know yon," she confessed naively and shyly then added: " And now will you take me back to Auntie?" " Certainly I was just on my to call upon you," he explained. Then as a policeman appeared upon the scene ho turned to him and remarked, as he glanced at the still fallen man: " I'm responsible for that, and if I am wanted for any explanations you will find me at this address," and he slipped his card into the officer's hand as je concluded. " It's all right, sir," the man re, sponded; " I saw the whole transaction, and it served the lubber right— he's only got his just desserts. Will the lady make a charge against him?" " Oh, no!" panted Florence, shrinking nearer her companion, 1 never wish to see him again — take me away and let him go; perhaps he is crazy." "No, I think not," Mr. Carrol said to the office! — "if he doesn't make any fuss over the punishment he has received, let the matter pass; it is possible he wasn't quite himself," he concluded, significantly. "All right,'' said the policeman, as he turned away to help the man to his feet, for he was beginning to show signs of returning consciousness, while Florence, anxious to get out of sight, harried her companion across the street and into Madame Joys, where she found Mrs. Seaver awaiting her return. That lady greeted Mr. Carrol most cordially, after which Florence explained how she happened to meet him. Mrs Seaver was inclined to be alarmed over what had occurred: but Mr Carrol reassured her, saying that he felt confident that the man could not have known what he was about — if he was an escaped lunatic, he would doubtless be taken care of; if he had Bimply been undertheinnuenceof liquor, he would have orgotten all about the occurrence by the time his brain became clear again. Then they fell to chatting about more interesting subjects, until Florence mentioned that Mr Carrol had been on his way to call upon them, when he so opportunely came to her rescue; whereupon Mrs Seaver insisted that he must come home to lunch with them, and two minutes later, they were all rolling on their way toward Portland Square, where the Seaver'a apartments were located. (to be continued).