The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-11-17

CIuSi. C4ueI lOI liSr TO lose her place. We
Nona." called pitifully weak voice from
the adjoining room. "tell the gentleman to
come in here, if he has message from the
store"
IF you think had better" said Hemway,
alphabetically. "I'llgo in."
Hcmway softened his heavy tread as much
as possible as he entered tho adjoining room,
tiny bed chamber, and stopped apoogetlc-
ally just within the doorway. The sick girl
was sitting up in bed with wide. despairng
eyes. A hectic flush burned on either check.
and one hand WAS pressed over her wildly
beating heart
"Close the door," she whispered. Mona
| poor child, must not hear.
You know" she questioned, as Hemway
obeyed.
al know" he answered.
"And they will wait-they will give me
| time i'll which to repay them? ?" she gasped,
with ptiful eagerness.
"Purdy began Hemway slowly, "Purdy
| is a hard man. and -
Il know Oh. / know! But, he. Willie
| must spare met Why it means disgrace
death, perhaps-to US both For myself
scarcely care now-I am almost worn out with
the struggle but for poor little Nona-she is a
! helpless cripple, and -
"Tll see Purdy again !" broke in the man.
| And there was an emphasis in his words that
somehow oueted the sick girls agitation.
bed chamber, and when he left it the girl had
sunk back OH the pillow, and there were tears
| of relief in her appealing eyes. In the other
room he remained a longer time with the little
cripple, but he said nothing of her sisters
crime.
"TlI try to fix it up with Purdy," he said,
land maybe your sister won't lose her place,
after ALL"
81 think Mr.. Purdy will not be hard on US"
she said; for papa long ago assisted him in
money matters Ii il had not been for that we
might yet be living in the old Romford home
stead, instead -
"Romfo Connecticut?
"Yes sir. Do you know the placer"
al was born there" said Hemway. "You
two are Mary Allison's daughters? Your
father was John Lester?"
" You know papa and mammal"
event to school with them. 1 left Romford
shortly after they were married"
They are both dead now"
81 saw their graves" Then he changed the
subject abruptly. ut must be hard struggling
for two orphans TO get along?"
Yes, sir. Perhaps you, too, know what it
is to be poor?"
i've been there" said Hcnway.
MARY has worked SO hard that we have had
comforts, and now and then little Injuries.
Mary is good to me, and l am only burden"
When Nick Hemway rose TO depart he had
Il
Mr.. Purdy was as busy as ever when the
friend of his boyhood re-entered the private
Office.
WHO is Trent your partner 2" asked Hem
way, without preface.
IAN old gentleman, now travelling in Eu-
rope" answered Mr.. Purdy. am the work
ing member Of the firm"
We'll, then, Purdy, have been to see that
girl, Mary Lester. are you determined to
prosecute herr"
" Yes; it is duty owe to the frm-to my
partner. She deliberately robbed u.s. and now
must pay the penalty. By the way, will you
dine with me this evening, Hemway?"
That girl is sick" said the man from the
West, ignoring the invitation. Her sister is
a helpless cripple Marys hands do the work
for both"
"She should have remembered that"
"Purdy, look here! Do you know why she
stole that money? DO you know that scrimp
and save as they might, The expenses of two
persons one of them helpless, rent. food doc
tors bills dainties for the cripple, ate up Mary's
little earnings as fast as she made them? Do
you know why she, a Christian girl, the
daughter of Christian mother. deliberately
stOef Poor little Mona is afflicted with hip
disease. Probably she will never be any
better. But they were very hopeful and when
the doctor told them that an operation ight
be the means OF eventually restoring her to
as drowning man graSps at straws.
Fl" You can't know what it is 10 be a cripple,
doomed ali the days of your life to helplessness
and hopelessness, and then suddenly see a raw
OF promise before you. Mona did not know
how poor they really were. Mary had no
money. She must deny her dear little sister.
Shc-well, she stole the money! The operation
was performed, and they believe that it will
be the means OF restoring Mona to health.
" DO you think Mary did not know what she
was doing when she committed the crime? She
fears God. Every hour of her life since she
took the money has been a misery to her. Wax
ing or sleeping Der crime is always before her.
Purdy, are you going to prosecute that girl9"
" The law must take its course. do not
care 20 discuss the matter further, sir"
And. what then?" Mr. Hem way was strid-
ing up and down the Office with bis heavy
tread. What then? poor giIl sent to prison,
her life ruined forever. Better kill her at once
and be done with it. The poor little cripple's
heart will be broken, her life blighted, blow
struck her that would finish her in q few months
Take Mary back and let her repay the part Of
the debt she has not already paid. You need
not be afraid TO trust her. I'll place the
amount in your hands to make you safe if you
doubt-yes, five, ten times the amount Hold
out helping hand to that poor girl, Purdyi"
" Mr.. Hemway, do not care to hear any
more upon this subject Once for all. the law
must take ii course. ] very much dislike to
insult friend of my boyhood. but if you per-
sst in discussing this distastefu subject shall
be compelled TO request you to leave my Office"
Not till l have said my say. Then I'll go,
and not till then" Hemway stopped directly
in front of Mr.. Purdy and looked him full in
the eyes. LET me tell you little story. You,
John Lester, Mary Allison, and were school
mates together. John and Mary became hus-
band and wife. You came TO the city, | went
West. There came time when you saw that
a little capital would put you in the way of
making your fortune. You turned to John
Lester, who still lived in the old home village
and John Lester assisted you. The story il
short Your enterprise failed. John Testers
money was lost. lie had been unfortunate in
other ways, and when this loss came be had lost
bis all. You said you had lost your all, too /
doubt it; you see, know you, Purdy. There"
"Sir, I"-
mot word till / am through You were
soon prosperous again. John Lester died a
broken hearted man, and his wife soon fol-
lowed him to the grave. Their daughters ap-
pealed to you. Legally, perhaps, you owed
them nothing. There had been no papers
drawn. You gave Mary a place at pitiful
wages, and plumed yourself On having done
coed deed"