Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-12-31

She had puzzled him from the first
! her absolute loneliness and her reserve.
There were moments when he won
dered if she were firing of her chart
table work, SO obvious 10 him had been
her troubled mind sometimes. To-
night, walking beside her through the
busy streets, he abruptly put his fancy
into words.
Yes, | am very tired" she answered.
81 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
er, and not until they had turned into
the street where she lived had he come
TO some sort of conclusion. Perhaps
she was performing deeds of charity in
eNpiation of some trifling sin, vnagni-
fled by her tender conscience.
Yes, he loved her. She had guessed
it long ago. 1t was in that moment
when he had once unconsciOusly re-
vealed his secret that her work had
become suddenly hateful TO herself.
Don't go in yet" he said, Il want
to tell You something. Let us walk
back to the end of the street"
IL love you. Hester. | love YOU His
low voice penetrated through the traf-
fc of the street. II am not a 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
Hester" he cried. look at me! O, my
darling, what is it?''
Il am so happy" she said. THAT is
all"
How long they walked mp and down
the pavement neither knew. They were
ierked back to the reality of things
10y faint, hoarse voice that seemed
TO have sprung out of the darkness
beside them:
Paul. for Gods sake. save me. II
is the last time | shall trouble YOU"
go to my house by the back door.
I will join YOU in ten MINUTES
And, catching at Testers hand, he
hurried her along.
You are trembling, dearest. That
man has frightened You. lie meant no
harm. lie is my brother"
your BROTHER" she gasped. Light
ming Jack your brother?'
What do you know Of Lightning
jack Who are you?'
Come with me to my lodgings" she
said, family. Il can't tell you here"
Hester Moore sat with her arms
stretched across the table, her head
bowed on them in speechless. fearless
misery. The confidence which she had
withheld so long had been wrung from
her at last.
She was no angel Of charity, but q
person sent from Scotland Yard to
track the burglar, lightning Jack"
80 this is our Little Gray Lady! \
human bloodhound paid to hunt down
fallen wretches.'
Every word dashed her like a whip.
In the distress of that hour he was
blind to her pain. blind to justice, blind
to his very love for her.
well, your victim is ready AT your
hand" he said, bitterly, TO the trem-
bling representative Of Scotland Yard.
"Of course. YOU will do your duty"
He walked from the room without
a backward glance. For an instant she
remained thus, Spiritless and dazed.
Then a gradual Indignation worked its
way through her clouded brain.
What had she done to evoke con-
tempt, or forfeit happiness? Born OF
a detective father. she had been care
fully trained by the clever parent i'm
certainintricaaieS of the profession. and
since his death the work had been L.
her means of livelihood.
The cheap clock ON the mautelpiece
struck II. and She raised her face at
last. a wonderous pity looking ont of
her burning eyes. His seeming cruelty
had been but the outcome of fear for
the safety OF his brother!
When the dawn showed through the
rhinks of the blind. she threw open the
window and leaned ont her face i'm the
chilly breeze.
"Rester, | have been waiting for You,
hoping against hope that YOU did not
go last night to Scotland Yard"
il WAS Paul Maryland standing ON the
pavement. He bent his face close g.
hers, and whispered.
THANK God" she said. with shall-
ing lips.
Death had spared her terrible task.
"LieLtuiug Jack" had died i'm delrimn
i'm the arms cf his brother.
One of the clcycrcet lady assistants
attached to scotland Yard resigned her
post "a few weeks ago. ou the occasion
Of her approaching marriage.
The pew-orcncr of the Southwark
church was heard to remark that Gin
all her ken no man had ever looked
SO proud Of his bride MS did the "slum-
ming doctor who brought back the
Little Gray Lady TO live with them
Answers
s Visit Of CongrntuIntIons.
What lovely bouquet"
"Nes; I'm taking il 10 Mrs Wells as
this is her birthday"
Put / Thought You were not on very
good terms with her now
"Neithcr ] ann. but this is her fortieth