permit me to see
you safely home," he said. "You have had a terrible fright, and are in
no condition to walk." At all events, she was in no condition to rebel,
and was glad to sink back into the cushioned corner of the hansom. "I'll
have to trouble you for the street and number," said he,
apologetically, as he stepped calmly in beside her.

"Oh, indeed I mustn't trouble you to come. The driver can----" And then,
alas! she remembered that she had but ten cents about her.

"The driver can, perhaps, but in this case he won't," was the grave,
half-smiling answer. "Number what? Which street, if you please?"

Helplessly she gave them. Commandingly he repeated them to cabby peeping
down through his pygmy man-trap in the roof, and away went the
two-wheeler. Her home was but six blocks distant. "You must let me pay
the cabman," she faltered, not well knowing how she was going to do so.

"I would, if it would comfort you," said he, calmly, "but he's already
engaged to me by the hour for the evening."

"Then my share of it, at least," she persisted.

"That I estimate to be possibly fifteen cents," said he, as the vehicle
drew up at the curb; "and I think I owe you ten times the amount for the
pleasure of kicking such an arrant cur as that specimen. Has he ever
annoyed you before? Do you know him?"

"By sight only," said she, the color at last reappearing in her face.
"He is often on that street corner below the Beaulieu, but I do not know
his name."

"He will be there less frequently in future. And now is there nothing I
can do? Are you sure you have everything you need at home?"

"More than I need,"--very much more, she could have added to herself,
thinking of her many unbidden lodgers,--"but you haven't given me your
name, and I owe you so much--besides the fifteen cents." She was trying
to smile now.

"You owe me nothing, unless----" he was turning away, but something in
her sweet, earnest face drew him back,--"unless it be permission to call
and ask how you are after all this excitement."

Miss Wallen's face clouded. Where could she receive him? Were not every
nook and corner of the house except her own little room given over to
the use of occupants in whom this distinguished-looking gentleman could
be expected to feel no interest whatever? He saw the hesitation, and
spoke at once.

"I beg your pardon," said he, frankly and heartily. "I had no right
whatever to be intrusive. Good-night, and--better luck next tim