, 1896-10-03
A Stun ANGEL.

Some ops-was coming up the stairs a
the little district visitor was descend
ing. The ascending party struck u vesta.
which threw . fitful gl.1s ever the
damp and filthy walls and the cray
Gowned form Of Hester Moc.e.
Dr.. Paul Myland stepped aside, Hs..
tening his broad shoulders agains. tie
baluster rail to admit q wider passage
for her benefit.
During the mex two weeks this
"slumming" doctor and the soberly
dressed little district visitor met about
half . dozen times on their separate
ways to OF from some den in a crowded
alley. and at the end of a fortnight they
actually defied criticism and spoke. 1t
was raining a steady drizzle. and
through the mire Of . muddy court
Paul Maryland saw . familiar form in
gray stepping over thu puddles without
AZ umbrella.
"Please take mine. he eaid.
But she would only consent to share
it.
"These places are not fit for you,"
said the doctor later when walking with
her homeward. '.You are too young,
too-too- Indeed it is scarcely safe
for SO young a girl to venture among
the criminals that are hidden here"
but l must" she murmured.
"Ah, you are one Of those brave wo-
men willing to risk anything. l had
heard Of you long before l had the pleas
r1ra If 1iuhfyr,r vfu ftNxrp those ripLot1,
stairs two weeks ago."
You have heard of me?' she asked,
with an abrupt sharpness Of tone which
he did not notice.
Eyes, from the poor wretches whom
you have made your devoted friends"
he ex planned. ''It is more often for you
they call in the extremity of their pain
than for me-"
II am glad if I have done any good"
she said, signing with relief.
"Good!' he echoed. 'If tne depraved
creatures about here worship anything
at all, it is the Little Gray Lady, as
they have named you"
DR.. Paul Maryland was celebrating
his fortieth birthday over a lonely cup
Of tea. Old Betsy, his housekeeper and
one time nurse. had made u doubtful
looking cake in honor Of the occasion,
and her affectionate muster was sacri-
f3cing his digestion to please her.
1t was no often that he was left to
enjoy u meal in peace, and today was
no an exception to tho rule. He was
still contemplating u second slice Of
noEo xrI,o,, lao rnn,s,,nl 81 L,ek,
to q case in Lavender court.
"That's Just like him." she growled
in mono'o2ue. He'll never be rich
while he doctors them paupers for moth
ing. And they takes vantage Of his
goodness, they do. Now, if Master Jack
hadn't turned out u scoundrel'- Here,
being u devout Catholic. she crossed
herself and unused mournfully upon the
Doctors secret sorrow.
"Master jack was Paul Muyland's
youngest brother. mis- junior by 10 years.
who had been left as u sacred trust by
their dying mother to the elders care.
Some seed of depravity, perhaps own
in long generations past, early developed
in young Jack. After rushing through
various vicissitudes of gambling and
drink he devoted the remaining part Of
his sodden intellect to the criminal sci.
ence Of burglary.
His distracted brother for several
years grieved for his sacred trust" as
thing lost to him until one night ] OK
had appeared craving protection from
the law. For the sake Of his lead moth.
or, Paul had shielded the boy, who,
when the danger was over, broke loose
again, and in the course Of time his
dexterity earned him. in the criminal
world, the sObriquet of Lightning
jazz"
At Lavender court, in the room where
his patient lay, DR.. Maryland found the
Little Gray Lady kneeling by the truckle
bed on which q consumptive child was
dying.
II sent for you," she said. II knew
you would come if you possibly could
She had puzzled him from the first
her absolute loneliness and her reserve.
There were moments when he wondered
il she were firing Of her charitable
work, so obvious to him had been her
troubled mind sometimes. Tonight.
walking beside her through the busy
streets. no abruptly put his fancy into
words.
"Yes, lam very tired. " she answered.
II hate tho work. l hate it,"
But it isn's compulsory" lie ex.
claimed. why do you 10 it,"
because / must" she said bitterly.
Paul Maryland was not u rapid think
or, and not until they had turned into
the street where she lived did no come
to some sort Of conclusion. Perhaps she
was performing deeds Of charity in ex-
piation Of some trifling sin. magnifed
BY her tender conscience. {
Yes, he loved her. She had guessed it
long & It was in that moment when
he had oncs unconsciously revealed his
secret that her work had become sud-
denly hateful to herself.
Don't go in yet" he said. II want
% tell you something. Let u walk
back to the end Of the street."
II love You, Hester. 1 love you"
His low voice penetrated through the
trafnc Of the street. II am not a young
man, but my feeling for you il deep and
strpng enough 10 Lest my.lifebme. even