Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-04-18
MISS MnS0NS FIVE D0LLARS.

tor she had unwittingly victimzed. She
had revealed her plan to neither her ia
Their nor Tom. The former was far more
likely TO object TO the plan than 10 en-
dorse it; and as for the latter. we'll
Kate was somehow influenced by the
remembrance that the conductor was
youthful. She told both OF them the re-
suit of her expedition. however. that eve
Ming. when Tom called. ostenslbly 10
confer With the Major on n matter or
business. the importance q which a
sceptic would have had reason TO doubt
Il found him." she said. lat the COM
pany's oiiice-the place where the men
pay I'm their money you know. He had
jus. finished his days work He was very
nice about it and didn't want to take
the s. at all. but l insisted. and finally
ne gave In, but only on condition that II
he received the bill and IL proved 20 be
gcnulne-and he thought II was, papa, In
spite OF your magnlfying glass-he should
be allowed to return 1t TO me. He said
It had passed out OF his hands. but ne
could PROBABLY get st back. lie is really
far superior TO his s,ation. He can't
have been conductor always"
Not in infancy, perhaps" said the
Major He was not enthusiastic about
strange young men. Herrck smiled.
You're both prejudiced." protested
Kate. Really, he is as well-mannered
as half the men one meets, even If he
seemed bashful. He blushed when
spoke TO him. Neither of YOU could do
that"
II trust there's no reason why we
should" said the Major. but I've no
time 10 hear more of your prodigy in
uniform. I'm going out this evening.
You can free your mind 10 Tom"
NO" Kate declared. well talk OF
something else" And she kept her word.
Neither then nor on the several other oc-
0asions on which Hcrrck met her in the
next fortnight did she discuss the con-
ductor. That person. in fact had almost
passed out OF Toms recollection when he
heard OF him again.
Herrick was very busy In these days OF
endoavor. Before him and his associates
IN the organized charity work OF the city
was the problem Of relieving want. which
was becoming more and more pressing
and necessitous. Ordinary means OF deal
ing with poverty had long ago proved in
adequate. and now extraordinary ei1orts
were making to open new sources Of
supply. From the churches the managers
were already receiving considerable aid.
with the prospect OF much more. as the
knowledge Of the increasing restitution
spread among the more wealthy conGre-
cations. In rOusing the somewhat torpid
organizations Of these afiluent bodies,
Herrick was doing effective service. as
his little talks before the various socie-
ties were winning him a reputation.
There was nothing Of the orator about
him. but. being too full of his subject
% be eloquent. nc contrived TO reach the
hearts of his hearers by the plain path
Of earnest directness. In the eminentiy
respectable flock in which the Major was
a leader. Herrick found a readiness to
Join in the work which was most graft
flying, but which he more than suspected
was due 10 the good offices of his friend.
although Mr.. Mason was ostensiDly "a
scoffer at the methods of the charity or
carnations. Naturally. Tom counted
upon Kate as q willing ally in the task OF
interesting the young women Of Tho
parish in his enterprise; and under his
advice their sewing society was soon put
TO more practical uses than had previ-
ously marked its slightly frivolous eX-
istence. Dividing themselves into little
groups each OF which took charge OF a
poverty-stricken family, the girls threw
themselves into their new labors with
feminine enthusiasm, finding in the role
Of Lady Bountiful much that was novel
and even more that was conscience-eas-
ing. for to many Of them came sense
Of oxpiation of past sins of omission.
Kate discovered, after the work as
siened TO the society had been parcelled
out. that she was left without any par
ticular charge. There was nothing OF the
shirk about her, and she felt that Her
rick would be deeply disappointed. No
doubt her opportunity would come before
long. but she would have liked to be in
the van. The most CALLING part Of it all
was that some of her dearest friends,
knowing her intimacy with Herrick,
found ground for little jests. not evil
intentioned. perhaps, but still sharp
pointed enough TO make her vince.
ooh. don't worry. dear, if you haven't
q family 10 look after" one OF them had
said. cheerfully. TON will do for your
poor very nicely-hes with you always"
Kate was meditating over this and sun
dry other kindly sayings as she walked
| briskly along the street near her home
| one clear wintry afternoon. So busy was
| she with her thoughts that she failed to
notice young man approaching her, and
| looking frequently at the numbers
| blazoned above the doors of the houses
| and she was taken completely by surprise
when she heard her name pronounced by
| this youth. who halted abruptly as he
caught sight Of her face.
L be-, pardon Miss Mason" he said. o.;
he stood. hat in hand, "but l was looking
for your house. You said you would like
! 10 hear.
"Why. it's Mr.. Mr." said Kate. She
recognized the conductor, but his name
/ had slipped from her memory.
Handy didn't think you would re-
member it," ne said. blushing little al
| the speech.
"Oh. but | did remember you, and your
name was on the tip of my tongue.
hone Won have had no trouble about thai
! wretched bill"
There isn't much to tell you, and yet
| I thought you would like to hear it," he
| explained.
Il should like.it very much" said Kate
| oncouragingiy. 1T was very good OF you
! to look me up, ! am sure. l only WISH
YOU had come little earlier, and hac
! found me al home But now l have al
| aupointment l shall have TO keep. Per
| haps If you could walk little way with
me YOU might tell me your news
Thank YOU" responded Handy, with a
| trace Of relief IN his tone for he hac
| dreaded a call at a house where h'
| imagined he might be regarded as ar
| intruder. II sent the bill away-to q
! town in the East, where l used TO live
| II IS still in the hands of the person
10 whom i sent il. ] haven't been able L
| get # back yet. but l will pretty soon
| BESIDES. as 4 am sure it is genuine, WON
| you please let me pay back what yot
| gave me?'
! Really. / cannot consent to that Sc
1 long as there Is a shadow Of doubt. My
father says il is a counterfeit, and he:
an authority"
! They had reached a corner and Handy
she saw clearly, was meditating a retrea
down the side street, now that his proffel
had been made and declined. Such {
course ala not suit her at all.
II am very glad 10 hear that you have
traced the bill" she went on, hurriedly
| ..t...ta1. ,,,opt 10 ocLs "a favor Gan Won