Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1885-07-24


"A look of CONSERVATION ovcrspread
her pretty face as she exclaimed;
ssOh, indeed. you don't mean for me
to 90 there? How could ever stand i'll
/ can't bear such places. Ask me al
most anything else. The dreadful men
and women g-the odorl Ughvn with q
shuddor. ..Ask me almost anything
else." /"
A look OF keen disappointment
driftcd over Mr.. Shaw's face.
She suddenly frightened aud said:
IL do intend TO do something good
next week / have refused Gcrman,"
triumphantly, ssthat may attend the
Charity Calico Ball to be given. You
know all thesdresses are for the poor,
so | shall do Some good.
''And what is your dress to be?"
asked Mr.. Shaw, with rather an inde-
scribable infection to his voice.
''The loveliest blue silesia, with q
lowered cretonne front, enthusiastic
cally, sleeveless waist, Mendici collar,
shirred and very bouffant draperies. 1t
will be beautiful, and / know it will
seem very nice to some poor woman.
who never had anything like it
"Yes, I" hc said in tone quite satu-
rated with irony, II don't doubt its
usefulness; but don't you think you
ought to add q few moro yards of illu-
sion to make some warm bodies for
those who have no fires, and few
yards of ribbon to decorate the little
freezing armsPn
Now, you are angry with me, Mr..
Shaw" hesitatingly. Don't think me
utterly heartless; but / can't 90 to -
street. 1t would really give me little
blue chill.
II could never consent to such a
cruel thing as that he said, with an
unpleasant smile. II really feel that
owe you an apology for intruding such
disagreeable subject, particularly af-
ter your nerves were shattered with
your novel. Good morning. and he
bowed himself out very abruptly, with
strange little pain in his heart
He did not again allude TO the sub
iect to her, but found other ladies who
Interested themselves warmly in the
work.
Everywhere that he went in his
charity rounds he could see and feel
the influence of Miss Sanks' good acts.
She seemed to be an angel of mercy,
who never tired, and who devoted her
entire time to charity. All that she did
was marked by practical good sense
and depth of thought and feeling
that he could not fail to admire. Still
he chanced never to meet her.
One day, when entering tho Post
office, he saw in advance of him the
graceful figure of Ma Belle Lee. She
was unaware of his presence, and,
standing idly behind her, he felt as if
he had received an electric shock as
she asked: us there anything for Miss
Mehitable Sanks2" and then received
and pocketed several postal cards.
If he was astonished at the question,
he was still more so at the effect which
his discovered presence produced on
her.
Her face and neck, even to the
roots of her golden curls, were dyed in
painful crimson, her eyes dilated
with an expression of CONSERVATION,
but with little naughty gesture of re-
cognition, she hurried past him.
Acting upon an impulse, with a few
hasty steps he soon overlook her. He
was lost in a bewildering surprise. She
was tho last person with whom he
would have connected Miss Sanks in
any way, and her great agitation, rs
he walked beside her, increased his
surprise.
A sudden bright suspicion caused his
heart to beat almost to suffocation.
'sTell me. Miss Ma Belle,n he said,
'.what have you to do with Miss Sanks'
letters?'
81 really can't understand, Mr..
Shaw, what right you have to ask such
question. In all things spiritual
acknowledge your right, but in this in
stance you forget yourself"
ssIell me, he said, with eager, re-
gardless haste, ''are you Miss Sanks?"
A sudden burst of tears was her only
answer, as she hastily pulled down her
veil and walked silently beside him.
A calm of perfect joy descended up
on him as he realized the truth. He
walked by her side until he reached
entered it with her.
As they reached the parlor she
tossed aside her hat and stood before
him moro like a discovered culprit
than the little saint she had proved To
be.
There was a defiant sparkle in her
eye as she turned her flushed face TO
him.
He took both Of her hands in his.
so, Ma Belle. Ma Belle, = he MUIR
INJURED. tenderly, your heart is as
beautiful as your face though you have
yelled your goodness under an exterior
Of frivolity. This is not the general
rule Of humanity"
s'But. Mr. Shaw, If it is a fault, il
lies entirely at your door"
ssHave / anything to do with iten IN
surprise. II have been thinking for
long while that you were entirely be-
yOnd my control.
s'Nevertheless, I have only been
obeying your instructions. Don't you
remember you sometime since preached
against ostentatious charityg Let not
thy left hand know what thy right hand
d0eth. thought there was q world OF
truth and force in il. and / have only