The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1896-10-17

steady drizzle, and through the mire of Il
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 women
willing to risk anything. | had heard of
you long before had the pleasure of light
ing 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.
'Ges, from the poor wrctches whom you
have made your devoted friends he ex-
planned. at is more often for you they
call in the extremity of their pain than for
me-"
81 am glad l have done any good, y
she said, signing with relief.
"Good.' he echoed. ''If the depravcd
creatures about here worship anything at
all, it is the Little Gray Lady, AS they have
named you"
DR.. Paul Maryland was celebrating his
forteth birthday over lonely cup of tea
Old Betsy, his housekeeper and one time
nurse, had made doubtful looking oak
i'll honor of tie occasion, and her affection
ate master was sacrificing his digestion to
please her
1t was not often that he was left to enjoy
a meal in peace, and today was not an
exception to the rule. He was still Coz,
templating a 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 he rich while
he doctors them paupers for nothing, And
they takes vantage of his goodness, they
do. Now, if Master Jack hadn't turne
out a scoundrel '-IIele being a devout
Catholic, she crossed herself and unused
mournfully upon the doctors secret sorrow
Master Jack" was Paul Nayands
youngest brother, his junior by ID years,
who had been left as sacred trust by their
dying mother to the elders care. Some
seed of depravity, perhaps sown in long
Jack. After rushing through various
vicissitudes of gambling and drink he de-
voted the remaining part of his sodden
intellect to the criminal science of
burglary.
His distracted brother for several years
grieved for his sacred trust as thing
lost to him until one night Jack had
appeared craving protection from the law.
For the sake of his dead mother, Paul had
shielded the boy, who, when the danger
was oyer, 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 trundle
bed on which "A consumptive child was
dying.
81 sent for you,' she said 81 knew
you would come if you possibly could
She had puzzled him from the start
her absolute loneliness and her reserve
There were moments when he wondered if
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, he abruptly put
his fancy into words.
Eyes, am very tired" she answered.
II hate the work. | hate it,"
"But it isn't compulsory, he exclaimed.
"Why do you do it,"
"Because | must" she said bitterly.
Paul Maryland was not rapid thinker,
and not until they bad turned into the
street where she lived did he come to some
sort Of conclusion. Perhaps she was per-
forming deeds of charity in expiaton of
some trilling sin, magniGed by her tender
conscience.
Yes, he loved her. She had guessed it
long ago. 1t was in that moment when
he had once upconsciously revealed his
secret that her work had become suddenly
hateful to herself.
Don't goin yet, ," he said 81 want
to tell you something. Let us walk back
to the end of the street"
81 love you, Hester. | love you" His
low voice penetrated through the traffic Of
the street. 81 am not young man, but
my feeling for you is deep and strong
enough to last my lifetime, even unto
eternity He caught the sharp sob that
was choked in her throat Chester" he
cried, Took at me, oh my darling, what
is it,"
81 am SO happy" she said. ''That is
ALL"