The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1896-03-07
CHAPTER XIV.

n MOST REMARKABLE YOUNG WOMAN
A pretty, petite figure tripping down
Broadway, New York, attracts the at
tention of the loungers who always in
fest that busy thoroughfare, bent on
staring every unprotected woman out
Of oountcnance. Many glance of hon
est admiration Is cast ut the face OF q
young girl, as she passes along, visit
fully looking into the upper windows
Of the great business houses.
Her face Is unwontedly pale, and her
big blue eyes look as though they had
lately been believed with tears.
Poor Elsie Whitford evidently did not
leave carking care entirely behind her,
when she evacuated oretown with so
much happy precipitancy.
Her case was singular one.
Death had stepped In 10 upset Mrs.
Bakers kind intentions regarding her
young protege, and the kind hand,
which but two weeks ago had written
Elsie so encouragingly, was stillcd for
ever, and the house, which should
have sheltered her, closed and empty.
A lindly-disposed servant, won by
the girls sweet face, had secured lodg-
ings for her and given her the address
of Mr.. Theophilus Grail, Mrs. Baxter's
man OF business, 20 whose Office Elsie
was now hurrying.
Mr.. Grail was disturbed when his
clerk announced TO him that young
lady, who would not send in her card,
desired To see him on urgent business,
for more than once that astutc gentle
man had found his sanctum invaded by
feminine canvassers with just such ex-
cuses for admission.
'sTell her I'm engaged
The message was curt and came like
the cut of whip TO the frightened
girl.
"Give him this letter." she SAID at
Last. recovering n little courage. land
tell him ! am the person referred to
I'm IT,"
''I wouldn't II were YOU" the clerk
said, alphabetically. He'd never
read IL, but II it's case of charity,
why perhaps might do something for
F.. you, miss"
i Elsie flushed Indignantly, then poured
into the mans ear the story of her mis-
adventure.
"Oh, he'll see you all right" was tho
xlad assurance, and minute later she
found herself In the great mans pres
ence.
ut must have been great shock to
YOU, Mrs. Grail confessed with little
sympathetic cough. "and under stand
You have no friends In New York;"
"None."
"well, OF course shall be glad to af-
z ford you means 10 return home"
but do not mean 10 return"
Good gracious. young lady, do you
suppose you can remain In this big
eity?"
"why, certainly. Surely in this vast
place there Is room for one more young
woman 10 earn her living"
'sBut what could you do?"
: Anything that Is honorable"
"Really, this Is extraordinary. What
nerve YOU western girls must be en-
dowcd with"
"Arc there not thousands of girls in
New York working for LIVELIHOOD"
Hundreds OF thousands, but they are
under the protection Of their friends"
~ am sorry troubled you," Elsie
said, rising.
''Do not be impatient. Why, bless
my. soul, do you suppose that am go
ing TO allow an innocent child like you
20 walk out into the pitfalls OF this
cruel plnce--vhat do you take me for3'
If you cannot give me work TO do,
nor tell me where IL Is 20 be got, shall
accept no other aid from you"
Mr.. Grail stared at her harder than
ever.
81 think, he said, you had better
return 10 your lodgings, and will In
quire among my lady friends what Ia
best 20 be done. You may rely on hear
ing from me by noon tomorrow az the
latest. Even your activity can brook
80 brief delay. hope"
"Oh, yes. sir" Elsie said, giving him a
look out Of those lustrous eyes Of hers
that set the mattcr-of-fact old mans
heart aglow.
Now, In accordance with instructions
from MIR. Grail, which our heroine re
ceivcd 10 due course, she found herself
waiting with all humility ON n grand
a t>.ooiofv In " = ono Mra Clarence Grind