Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1896-10-15
A SLUM ANGEL.

A NIL ~ AA lAAN VI 1AA1s
Some one was coming up the stairs as
the little district visitor was descend
ing. The ascending party struck vesta,
which threw fitful glare over the
damp and filthy walls and the gray
gowned form of Hester Moore
DR.. Paul Myland stepped aside, fiat
tening his broad shoulders against the
baluster rail to admit wider passage
for her benefit.
During the next two weeks this
stunning" doctor and the soberly
dressed little district visitor met about
half a dozen times on their separate
ways to or from some den in crowded
alley, and at the end of fortnight they
actually detied criticism and spoke. It
was raining steady drizzle, and
through the mire of a muddy court
Paul Maryland saw familiar form in
gray stepping over the puddles without
an umbrella.
"Please take mine." he said.
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 must" she murmured.
"Ah, you are one Of those brave wo-
men willing to risk anything. I had
heard of you long before I had the pleas
ure Of lighting you down those rickety
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 explained. cit is more often for you
they call in the extremity of their pain
than for me-"
II am glad if have done any good, "
she said, signing with relief.
"Goodp' lie echoed. eff the 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 doubtful
looking cake in honor Of the occasion,
and her affee tionate master was sacri-
ficing his digestion to please her.
It was not often that he was left to
enjoy meal in peace, and today IVES
not an exception to the rule. He was
still contemplating second slice Of
cake when he received hasty summons
to case in Lavender court.
''That's just like him." she growled
in monologue. HELL 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 scoundrel"- Here,
being devout Catholic, she crossed
herself and unused mournfully upon the
DOCTORS secret sorrow.
Master Jack" was Paul Maryland g
youngest brother, his junior by Is years,
who had been left as a sacred trust Ly
their dying mother to the elders care.
Some seed of depravity, perhaps sown
in long generations past, early develop |
in young Jack. After rushing through
various yicissitudes 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
a thing lost to him until one night Jack
had appeared craving projection from
the law. For the sake Of his dead moth
er, 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
Jack.
At Lavender court, in the room where
his patient lay, DR.. Maryland found the
Little Gray Lady kneeling by the trucklo
bed on which consumptive child was
dying.
II sent for you, !" she said. ~ 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 tiriIg Of her charitable
work. so obvious to him had been her
troubled mind sometimes Tonight,
walking beside her through the busy
streets. he abruptly put his fancy into
words.
Eyes, lam very tired, " she answered.
II hate the work. / hate it."
''But it isn't compulsory" he ex.
claimed. "Why do you do it,"
Because must, she said bitterly.
Paul Maryland was not rapid think.
or, and not until they had turned into
the street where she lived did he come
to some sort Of conclusion. Perhaps she
was performing deeds Of charity in ex-
piation Of some trifling sin, magnified
BY her tender conscience.
Yes, he loved her. She had guessed il
long ago. It was in that moment when
he had once unconsciously revealed his
secret that her work had become sud-
denly hateful to herself.
''Don't 20 in vet he said. ~ want