e
door-way of the building next adjoining, to rest. I had purposely made
myself look as dilapidated as possible, and the natural presumption in
the mind of any one would have been that I was friendless and needy, for
I felt tired enough to make a weary air very natural at the moment.

As it chanced, my old enemy the policeman came sauntering by, and his
cold eye fell on me with a chilling scrutiny. He stopped and said:--

"Didn't I tell you to move on, young woman? We don't want the likes of
you loafing about here."

"I am tired and resting. I am waiting for some one," I answered, too
much alarmed to take much account of my words.

"Yes, I dare say. He's forgotten to keep his engagement, and has gone
home for the day. He asked me himself to tell you so. Come, move on, and
don't let me see you hanging around any more, or I'll find an engagement
for you that will last sixty days. Come, march!"

"Sir!" I exclaimed in a tone of indignation, having partially recovered
my presence of mind, "what right have you to insult a lady? I tell you I
have business here. If you don't instantly leave me, I will have you
discharged to-morrow!"

"Do, my beauty! and lest you should oversleep yourself in the morning,
and not be on hand to keep your word, come with me now."

He reached out his hand to seize me by the arm, and all my fears
returned. But at that instant I heard a voice, and to my mingled relief
and consternation the face of Francis Prime appeared over my tormentor's
shoulder.

"What is the matter, officer?"

"Nothing, your honor, except this here young woman. She's for reporting
me, she is, and losing me my situation. But as I happen to have seen
her congregating by herself mostly every day for the past fortnight
around these offices, I thought I'd run her in as a disreputable lot,
and we'd see who's who."

"Oh, sir!--Mr. Prime!" I cried, forgetting my discretion in the
excitement of the moment, "don't let him take me off! What he says isn't
true. I'm a lady--that is, a poor girl who's perfectly honest, and is
trying to earn her living."

"A nice lady you are, trying to lose hardworking folks their
situations!"

"You called me by name," said Mr. Prime. "Do you know me? Come here
Ike!" The dog was sniffing around my feet.

"Yes, sir--no--that is, I have seen you come out of your office."

He looked at me searchingly, and turned to the policeman. "What was she
doing when you arrested her?"

"Indeed, sir," I br