lesson already which he is not likely to
forget."

When the crowd saw that there was to be no more excitement, it quickly
dispersed, and the stream of humanity surged along the street as
before. The policeman, too, moved away, leaving the girl and her
protector standing near each other.

"You have had a hard time to-night," the man remarked. "I am so sorry
those rascals gave you such trouble."

"Oh, it was so kind of you to come to our assistance," the girl
replied. "My father is very tired, and the little money we made is all
gone."

"May I have your violin for a while, sir?" the stranger asked turning
to the violinist, at the same time taking the instrument gently from
the trembling hands. "You must be very tired."

During the whole of the scene the old man had been trying to comprehend
the meaning of the commotion. His daughter was too greatly excited to
explain anything. But when he heard the stranger speak to him he at
once complied with his request and allowed him to take his beloved
instrument. The girl slipped her hand in his and squeezed it hard, and
then stood watching her kind protector.

The latter lifted the violin quickly to his shoulder, faced the crowded
street, and drew the bow across the strings. There was a great
difference now in the playing, and many people paused to listen. There
was something which appealed to them in the music which was pouring
forth. It stirred their nobler feelings and aroused in them the spirit
of sympathy for the poor and unfortunate. They comprehended the
purpose of the musician when they saw the feeble old man and the girl
standing nearby. The hearts of many were strangely stirred, and they
vied with one another in dropping money into the dusty hat which the
girl was again holding forth. Silver mingled with bills, and the
girl's face grew bright and her heart happy the heavier the hat became.
It seemed to her like a wonderful dream, and that the player was a
fairy who had come to her assistance. She wanted to watch him and
listen to the music he was making, but she had little time for that, as
she had to pay attention to the money she was collecting.

Suddenly the music stopped and when the girl turned her head she saw
the stranger handing the violin to her father. She wanted to speak to
him, to thank him for his kindness, but before she could act he had
disappeared among the crowd.

As the music ceased, so did the giving, and the unheeding crowd o