l was
an elder in their church and superintendent of their Sabbath-school, and
Theodore had himself cashed a draft for him in Mr. Stephens' private
office not two hours before. He laughed a little now at the thought of
Mr. Hall's bewilderment over his sudden change of business; and then
presently laughed again at the thought that there should be anything
incongruous in his, Tode Mall that was, turning coachman. At last the
carriage turned into the beautiful elm-lined carriage drive that led to
the Hastings' mansion, and drew up presently with a skillful flourish at
the side door. The same John for whom Theodore used occasionally to run
of errands for two cents a trip came forward, and stared furiously as
the young man threw him the reins and opened the carriage door.

Dora's composure had lost itself in a fit of trembling, and her teeth
chattered so that she could not speak as he led her up the broad flight
of steps. They were all in the hall--Mr. Hastings, hat in hand, just
departing for the stables; Mrs. Hastings, in a state of transit from
dining-room to drawing-room; and Pliny lounging on a sofa, his head done
up in wet bandages. He sprang to his feet, however, when Theodore
advanced still supporting his companion, and questioned eagerly:

"What the dickens is to pay?"

That gentleman chose to make things more comfortable before he answered.
He unceremoniously appropriated sofa and cushions for the almost
fainting girl, and said, peremptorily:

"Bring a glass of water. Mr. Hastings, that fan if you please. Don't be
alarmed, Mrs. Hastings, she will be all right in a few moments."

Then there was no resisting the storm of questions that followed, and he
told the story as briefly as possible, only trying to impress one
thought, that liquor was at the bottom of what had so nearly been a
tragedy. Dora revived sufficiently to impress the fact that but for
_him_ she would not have been there to speak; and Mr. Hastings, in his
excitement and exasperation against poor Jonas, whose quarter paid for
the liquor which had almost brought death into their home, and would
help to swell Mr. Hastings' own cash account on this Saturday evening,
recognized in this deliverer of his child poor, ignorant, degraded Tode
Mall, and forgot the lapse of time and possible changes of position, and
seeking to do him honor, and do a safe thing for his family at the same
time, spoke hurriedly:

"Where is that villain of a coachman? I'll disch