oke in, "I was merely sitting here resting myself,
when this--this man spoke to me. I was doing nothing wrong."

"You hear what she says, officer. What is your charge against her?"

"Promiscuous and unlawful congregating by herself, your Honor. When a
young woman as swears she's honest, goes peeking into other folks's
windows after dark, I always has my suspicions,--as you would too, if
you had been in the business as long as I have. It wa'n't more than a
week ago that I caught her with her nose against that plate-glass window
of yours, and I told her then to move on. But she didn't; and the next
thing we shall be hearing some fine morning, that there's been breaking
and entering done."

Frightened as I was, I could not help blushing.

"Why were you looking into my office?" said Mr. Prime. "It doesn't seem
a very serious offence," he added, turning to the officer.

"It ain't murder, and it ain't arson, that's flat," observed that
functionary; "but we don't draw no such fine distinctions in our
profession. If we did, the judges would have nothing to do."

The colloquy gave me time to think up an answer. I was in a tight place,
and it would not do to mince matters. Mr. Prime turned back to me with
an air of inquiry.

"I was wondering, sir, when I looked into your window, if there were any
use in my applying for work."

"Are you in want?" he asked.

"I am trying to find a place. I am without occupation at present. The
times are so hard it is almost impossible for an honest girl to find
anything to do. I only want a chance."

He looked at me with a closer interest. Of course my voice and my
features, after the first impression produced by my needy dress, must
have puzzled an observer so intelligent as Mr. Prime.

"I believe the girl's story," he said to the policeman. "I feel sure she
is honest."

The man shrugged his shoulders. "A moment ago it was she was a lady, and
waiting for somebody. But I ain't particular, if you are ready to go
bail for the young woman. Of course I'm only doing my duty; and if you
are satisfied, your Honor, don't blame me if you find your watch missing
before you get home. I always keep a pair of twisters alongside of mine;
and that's why I thought she might be safer with me than with you."

With this oracular utterance, the official turned on his heel and
departed, to my intense relief. I was fairly overcome with dread and
mortification, and my eyes fell under the interested look of