, 1888-11-10

AAhA . CAAAt q O1lo ONA1 o44N bDA0Ab
by good women for those who, like me-
are homeless, and loi no soul could have
been more desolate than mine within it
walls. l ate and drank and slept and
went my daily round, made more
wretched at the sight of my struggling
sisters who were not 30 well equipped
for the battle of life rs I, and hen l fled
from the ''home'' into the Chicago
boarding house. l found one on Michi-
gan avenue, kept by Mrs. McGillicuddy.
My home life was at least Independent.
Mrs. M~cGillicuddy's heart was honest
and kind, her little parlors were
tidy, her table bore wholesome
fare. There was only her daughter
Josie, who owned the piano, and Jack,
the McGillicuddy son and heir, who
troubled or annoyed me, and from the
son and daughter and piano l could al
ways retreat to my room. 1t was new to
me to take a holiday, but one morning l
slept till long after the whistles had
ceased to blow. | could not have
reached my proof room even at s, so /
wandered out lazily into the June sun,
over the city and toward the North side.
/ reached the bridge at State street and
stepped upon it just as it swung to give
passage to a painting little steamer. There
was only one person on the bridge, n
gentleman. He stood quite near me as
we swung slowly out over the river. He
might have been thirty-five or so. He
was broad shouldered and jolly looking,
and a little sunbrowned. He looked at
me earnestly, and l noticed that he had
keen, honest, hazel eyes. But, to my
amazement, he pronounced my name
and held ont his hand. 81 am Wallace
Adams" lie explained; ''you were a
schoolmate of my sister Ida, at West
field. met you there. I was sure 1
could not be mistaken"
THAT wasten years ago" l stammered,
feeling my years suddenly rising up be-
fore me.
You are not much changed, Miss
Hunter-you are very pale and thin, but
1 have always remembered you"
The bridge swung slowly round, re
leasing us, but my new found friend did
not leave me. We walked slowly 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
perhaps l shall stay awhile after it.. " He
left me with permission to 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
ciety will shudder at my boldness and
want of delicacy, at Mr.. Adams vulgar
ity, at the disregard of al orthodox rules
of courtship. But I looked back upon
five lost and unhappy years, forward to q
lifetime of blind cropping after money that
somehow slipped away from the hands
that won iJ from the world so hardly.
And there was hope aud cheer for mo in
looking into The mans hazel eyes. l had
neither father, mother nor friends, and,
though l had never known it, a home
would be so dear to me. l hesitated and
half promised.
But l did not lose caution. asked
for time, 4 little longer acquaintance, n
little longer at my post. i was like a
slave that has grown to love the clanking
Of his chains. IF, in q few weeks more,
I can feel that I am doing rightI will be
your wife"
That was u betrothal, for the half
promise was accepted. Mr.. Adams took
my hands in his and looked at 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 it. I saw Mr.. Adams twice
each week, and a new world opened be-
fore me. l had wanted to love him at
first, but soon my life grew into a prayer
that he should really care for me. I
saw every day some evidence of his kind
ness, his wise friendship, but 1 trembled
at the thought that it might only be
friendship, for life held SO much more.
1t was at this time the McGillicuddys
began to develop a warm interest in me.
Jack came to the 6 o'clock dinner one
night with some exciting information. 1
was invited to take dinner at the Nc
Gillicuddy's special table, and there he
divulged 1t.
Il was to the races, Miss Hunter, " he
says, ''and that Adams man bought u
pair of California horses.
1 made no reply. Jack had forgotten
how many people are wearing the name
of Adams. His news was nothing to me.
''He paid $40, 900 for EN-" went on
Jack. Your Adams, Miss Hunter.
Don't you catch on?"
HE must be rich. Miss Dora" chimed
in the mother. 81 want you to give Josie
an introduction"
"You must take me out riding, " lisped
Josie, with her blonde head on one side.
l looked down at my plate in amaze
ment. Either Wallace Adams was better
situated than 1 had known or he had
gone wildly to specializing in race horses.
l remembered Ida Adams at Westfield,
a ward like myself. Herfather had been
a clergyman. Not able to take care of
a wife, Dora" he had told me, ''and to
nave a comfortable home" Ihad thought
him able to make his way with other
men; to give me a neat home with n few
comforts in. it-a piano, books and one
or two good pictures.
Didn't YOU know it," broke out my
landlady, ghbly. "Where did you get
acquainted with him?''
l escaped from the McGinicuddys and
away to my room. l had promised anew