Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1873-07-05

but closed them again Wearily.
"Do not speak to her." said Hal
in a whisper; ;;"she must be kept
perfectly quiet, but think she will
do well now"
As he proceeded to give the nee
essary directions for further treat
ment, his eyes wandered around the
room, which was neat, though mea-
gerly furnished, and bore witness to
that struggling destitution so much
more pitiable than thriftless, squalid
poverty.
Under the lamp on table lay sew
eral pieces of fine Ineedle-WOrk in a
confusion which showed how re-
Gently the labor upon them had been
interrupted. Ostensibly searching
for something in his letter-case, Hal
bent over the delicate embroideries
with a wondering pity for the pa
tient toll by which they were pro-
duced. He had been among poor
people before, but never when his
sympathy was so deeply elected as
in this instance. Both mother and
daughter seemed so wholly untitled
for this hard life-so helpless and
forsakenl
The girl came toward him, trying
to express her gratitude.
"Have you no friends or relatiyes!'
he asked her.
She shonk hnr head sadly
"YOur father?"
''He died two years ago, just after
we came here to live. We have no
money Just noW," she continued,
misunderstanding the motive Of his
questions, fbut / shall get some as
soon as this work is done, and if
you will give me your address |
will
81 did not mean that" he inter-
rupted hastily; but he did not add
that he was really thinking how
soon she might be alone in the world,
for her mother was evidently vic
tim of quick consumption. 81 am
going to Europe tomorrow" he
went on, $50 l shall not be able to
call again; but l will leave pre-
scription for your mother which l
trust will do her some good"
He wrote a few lines on a scrap of
paper; then availing himself OF q
moment when he was unobserved,
he slipped the money he had recent
ly won into an envelope and left 1t
on the table. Fortunately it was a
considerable amount, although he
regretted that it was not in his pow
er to give something besides money,
and left, thoughtful at the contrast
between prodigal, careless pleasure,
and anxious want which the last
few hours had forced upon him.
Amid the distractions of foreign
travel, however, the incident was
soon forgotten; but before year
had passed he was reminded of it
by receiving a note dated from a
large Western city, and inclosing a
draft for the amount he had given
away that night.
The style of this note was curt
and business-like:
DEAR SIR: Though personally
unknown to you, l am uuder great
obligations for your kindness to my
sister and neice at a time when they
were in much need. Without Wea-
rying you with my personal affairs,
will merely explain that the lady
whom you attended for hemorrhage
one night last Spring was my sister.
man who gradually squandered the
little fortune she possessed. All IN
tercourse between us had ceased,
and 1 kuew neither of her husbands
death nor the destitution which
followed, until the dread of leaving
her daughter without any protector
oYercame her pride and resentment,
and she wrote to me. reached her
only a few hours before her death,
and it is only within a week that
have learned through nay niece that
it was to your charity she was in
debted for her last earthly comforts.
A card which was upon the floor
after you left, furnishes us with
your address, and hasten to remit
to YOU the amount of the pecuniary
Indebtedness, as well as to express
my gratitude for the services you
rendered to members of my family.
Respectfully yours,
JOHN j. RHODES.
"Rather a romantic ending to that
little episode" unused Hal. "Well,
l am glad that lovely girl found a
home and some one to care for her
after her neither died. l wonder if
6Ldll CNCl ACA d2d4As AAC hAA-
Gle is evidently Well-off, since he
discharges his Epecuniary indebted
ness,' as he calls it, so promptly.
Judging from the note, it wounded
his pride, and l wish l had not been
so careless as to drop that card.
What the duce am l to do with this
money, any wayr"
He would not have asked the
question two years later when the
news of a great fire in his native
city came across the cable, and he
learned that the riches he had en-
joyed so thOughtlessly had vanished
ON swift wings of flame.
He returned at once, self-reliani
and hopeful-the change in his cir
cumstances developing all the latent
energy of his character. The ne,
cessity of gaining a livelihood from
the profession which he had for
merly looked upon as the outlet Of
certain philanthropic ambition
was Just the stimulus he needed
though even in his prosperity hC
had never been an idler with nc
earnest purpose or endeavor. But
| knowing as he did from experience
| the butterfly life o. club and bal
room, he realized that il would bC
incompatible with the practica
work that lay before him, and ht
felt that it would be easier to sever
| the old social ties at once and tt
seek his fortune among strangers
He went to a Western city, bu
even there, to his surprise, he fOunC
some old friends in an agreeable
| family he had met while travelling
abroad. They were gay people
who entertained handsomely, bu
he persistently declined ali their IN
| vitations until he was over-persua
| ded to attend the debut ball of on
of the younger daughters.
He did not repent his concession
when he found himself in the mids
of the brilliant scene, but yielded
| frankly to his eXhilaration. Tn,
fair debutant showed him mucl
favor, but in the midst of her livel,
chatter his eyes wandered to tn
| door through which a tall, graceful
girl was just entering.
She was, indeed, very lovely
form. colOring, movement, were Al
exquisitely perfect. The shining
ripples of golden hair, the dewy
violet eyes, the rose-leaf complexion
the arch, smiling mouth, the supple
rounded figure, rivaled each other a
being the chief charm of her fai
presence.
Halls genuine admiration was We
ry evident as he asked abruptly:
"Who is that LADY,"
s'If you were not such a reclust
you would not ask" replied hi
companion. 'That is Laura Gres
ham, the belle of the season. Ism
she lovely?"
eyes, very" answered, Hal; ssh
has that rare beauty that remind
| one of a flower, delicate and Oerfeet