to his post.

The girl standing by his side was both weary and embarrassed. Her hand
trembled as she held out her father's soft felt hat to receive the
coins which were so very few. It was quite evident that she was new to
this business, for her cheeks were flushed crimson owing to the remarks
she occasionally heard.

"Listen to that old man sawing wood," one gaily-dressed young fop
laughingly jested to his companion.

"Filing his saw, I should say," was the sarcastic reply. "It's a
wonder to me that such a noise is allowed on a street like this."

"But see the girl," the other insisted, "isn't she a beauty! Look at
her cheeks. My! they are some colour. She seems new to her job.
Suppose we give her a jolt. I'd like to hear what she'd say. Perhaps
she isn't as innocent as she seems."

They had stopped several rods away and were watching the girl as they
talked. Presently they retraced their steps, and when they came near
where she was standing, one of them surged suddenly against her,
causing her to drop the hat in alarm and start back, while the few
coins rolled out upon the hard stones. Her cry of dismay caused the
old man to stop playing and turn quickly toward her.

"What is the matter, Nan?" he anxiously enquired.

"Oh, let us go away," the girl pleaded. "We are not safe here, and I
am so frightened. Two men pushed against me and knocked the hat out of
my hand. I know they did it on purpose, for they went away laughing.
Oh, what is that?" and she leaned eagerly forward as a commotion took
place among the crowd a short distance away.

While the young men were performing their cowardly prank, a man was
intently watching all that was taking place. He had been observing the
blind violinist and the timid girl for several minutes. In his eyes
was an expression of sympathy, which changed at once to intense anger
at the act of the two heartless fops. He stepped quickly forward and
confronted them.

"What right had you to interfere with that girl?" he demanded.

"It's none of your business," replied the one who had done the deed.
"You get out of our way, and do it quick at that, or it won't be well
with you."

At once a heavy hand was laid upon his shoulder, and the gripping
fingers of that hand caused him to wince and try to tear himself away.
A sudden fear smote his heart as he looked up into the blazing eyes of
the man before him. He was beginning to respect that towering form
with the grea