The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-10-09

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bv GOOD women for those who, like me,
are homeless. and lol no soul could nave
been moro desolate than mine within ITS
walls. ate and drank and slept and
went my daily round. made moro
,yretched at the sight Of my Struggling
sisterg who were not so well equipped
for the battlc Of life rs |, and then | He'd
from the "homc' into the Chicago
boarding house found one on Micli-
can avenue kept by Mrs. McGlllicuddy
Nv home life was nj least independent.
Mrs. NlcGilliclddy's heart was honest
and kind, her little parlor5 were
tidy. her table bore wholesome
fare. There was only her daughter
Josie. who owned the piano, and JACK,
the McGilIicuddy son and heir who
troubled or annoyed me, and from tine
I son and daughter and piano | could al
WAYS retreat 10 my room. IL was new 70
NO 10 take 2 holiday. but one morning
slept till long after the whistles lad
cea.pd TO blow. | could not have
reached my proof room even nc ;, 50
wandered out lazily into the June sun,
over the city and toward the North side.
I reached the bridge at State street anu
stepped upon it Just as 1t swung 70 give
massage to a painting little steamer. There
was only one person on the bridge, a
ge,teman. lie stool quite near me as
We swung slowly ont over the river. lie
might have been thir;y-llyc or 50. lie
was broad shouldcred and Jolly looking,
and little sunbrovnel. He looked at
me earnestly. and | noticed that lie had
keen. honest, hazel eyes. But, to my
omazoment. lac pronounced my rame
and held ont his hand. Il am Wallace
Adams" he explained, you were
s,hoolmate Of my sister Ida, at West
Geld. Imet YOU there. l was sure |
c)uld not be mistaken. ~
That was ten yearsago. stammerel
feeling my years suddenly rising up be-
fore me.
You are not much changed, Miss
Hunter-you are very pale and thin, but
| have always remembered YOU,
The bridge swung slowly round. re-
leasing Us. but my new found friend did
not leave me. We walked alowly home,
talking Of those we had known, Of Ida
Adams. who was dead, Of each other, and
Mr. Adams told me he had Just come
from Oregon. For the convention
perhap, 7 Shall stay awhile after it. He
left me with permission 10 call that even
ing. and that began a new life for me.
He called. and we talked awhile. and
then. to my surprise. Wallace Adams
asked me to marry him.
Women who sit in high places in so
cictv will shudder mt my holiness and
want Of dclicacy. at Mr. Adams vulgar
ity. at the disregard Of all orthodox rules
Of courtship But | looked back upon
five lost and unhappy years. forward 10 a
lifetime Of blind cropping after money that
somehow slipped away from the hands
that won il from the world 50 hardly.
And there was hope and cheer for me in
looking into ;he man 5 hazel eyes. | had
neither father mother nor friends, and,
though had never known it, a home
would be so dear 10 me. | hesitated and
half promised.
But | did not lose caution. ] asked
for time. little longer acquaintance, a
little longer at my post. 1 was like
slave that has grown TO love the clanking
# his chains. If, in few weeks more,
| can feel that | am doing right will be
your wife. "
That was our betrothal, for the half
promise was accepted Air. Adams took
my hands in his and looked ut me with
pity in his hazel eyes, God grant You
may. Dora. and good night
went back to my work, but my heart
was not in il. | saw 4r Adams twice
each week. and new world opened be-
fore me. / had wanted to love him at
first. but soon my life grew into prayer
that he should really care for me. !
saw every day some evidence OF his kind
ness. his wise friendship, but trembled
at the thought that it might only 10
friendship. for life held so much more.
Ii was at this time the AlcGillicuddys
began - develop warm interest in me-
jack came TO the 6 O'Clock dinner one
night with some exciting information. |
was invited to take dinner at the Nc
Gillicudly's special table, anu there he
divuigcd it,
Il was to the races, Mss Hunter, he
says. land that Adams man bought
pair Of California horses. ~
made 10 reply. Jack had forgotten
how many people are wearing the name
of Adams. His news was nothing to me.
He pail $4,000 for EN-, went on
Jack Your Adams, Miss Hunter.
Don't YOU catch on:'
He must be rich. Miss Dora. chimed
in the mother. Il want You to give Josie
an Introduction. -
You must take me out riding, lisped
Josie. with her blonde head on one side.
looked down at my plate in amaze
ment. Either Wallace Adams was better
situated than had known or he had
gone wildly 10 specializing in race horses.
| remembered Ida Adams at Westiield,
a ward like myself Her father had been
a clergyman. Not able to take care Of
q wife Dora" he had told me- land to
have comfortable home" had thought
him able to make ms way with other
men; 10 give me neat home with few
comforts in ia piano, books and one
or two good pictures.
Didn't YOU know it, broke out my