The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-01-26
A BOGUS ANCHORESS.
The Story Of the Mysterious Sister
Veronica

The doctors wife scanned her visitor in
silence Who was to assure her that the
contributions she had already made would
be faithfully dedicated to the purpose for
which they had been givens What if these
black-robed women were not SISTERS" after
all, but merely bold impostors, who as
sumed the dress of the order for the time
for their own selfish aims and purposess
She recalled herself from her reverie with
little shudder, and her voice was hard and
cold as she spoke.
''Sister Veronica, l really do not feel JUS
titled in helping your hospitals and asylums
any more. think it is time we were look
ing up the poor about u.s. There may be
fellow-beings suffering in our midst without
a murmur; people whose pride forbids
them to appeal to public charity. l think
we should be doing more nobly if we de-
voted our time to looking up such cases,
instead of contributing to the support Of
distant institutions, of which we know moth
ing"
20, madam! If others were only of your
thinkingr' interrupted the visitor, impotu-
ously.
"What then2 fear you would not sue
coed so well in your missions"
Mrs Belden leaned forward as she spoke,
anu upWhiu luGO tuO
nance beneath the peaked white bonnet.
The momentary tiutter and the crimson
wave which had transformed her callers
calm face passed away, leaving it cold and
still in its purity.
zone must rejoice at any lessening of the
great sum of human misery" was the quiet
response
The anchoress turned to 60. She had not
only failed in her errand, but had met with
decided rebuff; yet at the door she paused
a moment and held out shapely white
hand, which met the others in sympathetic
grasp.
The DOCTORS wife stood at the window,
with mingled curiosity and interest, and
watched her visitor depart. To her surprise
the latter did not continue up the street,
but retraced her steps along the lonely path
leading in the direction of the station-house.
Was she then only stopping off between
trains, and had she squandered the few mo-
ments she had in which to ''do'' the little
New Mexican town. or had she grown hope
less of success after her first fruitless eff
rort2
Several months sped by, and the good lady,
In spite of her creditable resolutions had
taken no active step toward ascertaining
the circumstances of her neighbors. One
day had been too chilly, another too windy,
third too warm, to sally forth on her char
table errand. So she had contented herself
with making few inquiries of chance Wis
itors. She had been laughed at for her
pains. 1t was an axiom in the New Mexican
town that no worthy and industrious person
could ever suffer for lack Of food or raj
ment.
There came day when the doctor was
late to his six-o'clock supper. The table
was spread in the cosy dining-room and the
tea simmered on the hearth The young
housewife vibrated between table, stove
and window. The little cathedral clock on
the parlor-mantel sounded the half hour.
The young wife busted herself picking off
the dead leaves from twining smilax which
stood in the window-so many withered
leaves do the house-plants show in that ex-
asperating climatei The clock soemnly
knelled the hour of seven. The little woman
had grown too accustomed to the exactions
of PHYSICIANS life to feel more than impa-
tent. She sat down to the table alone and
tried to eat but only succeeded in swallow
ing q cup of tea and bit of fruit Then she
resumed her post at the window. A light
rain was falling, which increased until il
came in gusts and squalls, then settled into
steady down-pour.
It was after nine o'clock when she de
scried dark figure hurrying up the street
The gate opened and shut with click, and
the doctor boundedup the steps Of the por-
tico, to be met with fearful greeting or
the part of his wife,
20, Robertl You don't know what
have suffered. I was so afraid that some OF
those dreadful men who are always shoot
ing on the streets down TOWN."
Nonsense, child" But his voice was
shaky, and as he reached out his hand and
laid long morocco case on the table, she
noticed that his face was pale and drawn.
IAN operation, dear? What was its'
He did not answer at once. Indeed, he
sat down to tho table and drank his cup OF
tea and ata a slice or two of bread and but
ter, chatting meanwhile, in an absent way
on Indifferent topics. 1t was only wher
they had gone into the little parlor, and he
had thrown himself into a great easy chair
before the glowing fire, that he recognized
her question.
"A seven-year-o old boy, dear Leg crushed
beneath the cars. Stood it like a heror'
''How did it happen-the injury, ImeanP
"Slipped and fell under backing engine