Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1897-12-31
A SLUM ANGEL.
seeeeseseseeseseeeeeeseS

GONE one was coming up the stairs
- as the little district visitor was de
sCending. The ascending party struck
vesta, which threw a titful glare over
the damp and filthy walls and the gray
gowned form of Hester Moore.
DR.. Paul Maryland stepped aside, fiat
tening his broad shoulders against the
baluster rail To admit u wider passage
for her benefit.
During the next two weeks this
stunning" doctor and the soberly-
dressed little district visitor met about
eirAf dozen times on their separate
WHY'S to or from some den in "a crowded
alley, and at the end Of Il fort uight they
actually defied criticism and spoke. 1t
was raining steady drizzle, and
through the mire of dirty 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 100 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 WON
en- willing TO risk anything. had heard
OF you long before had the pleasure OF
lighting you down those rickety stairs
two weeks ago.
You have heard of me-" she asked,
Wiz an abrupt sharpness of tone which
he did not notice.
Yes, from the poor wretches whom
you have made your devoted friends,
he exclaimed. 1T IS more often for you
they call in the extremity of their pain
than for me
II am glad if l have done any good,
she said, signing with relief.
Good" he 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
Goth birthday over lonely cup of tea.
Old Betsy his housckccpcr and one
time nurse. had made q doubtful look
ing cake in honor Of the OCCASION and
her affectionate master was sacrificing
his digestion 10 please her
1t was not often that hc was left To-
enjoy meal i'm peace, and to-day WA,
not an exception TO the rule lie was
still contemplating second slice OF
cake when lac received nasty summon.
to case i'm Lavender court
That's just like him" she grovied
in monologue. Hell never bc rich
while he doctors them paupcrs for moth
in1, And they take vantage OF his
g7dness, they do. NOW, if Master Jack
hadn't turned ont scomdrci"-herc
being dcyout Catholic. sire crossed
herself and unused mourufully upon the
doctors secret sorrow.
master Jack" was Paul Mayland's
youngest brother, his junior 10y is
years. who had been left as a sacred
trust by their dying mother to the
elders care. Some seeds of dcprayitN,
perhaps sown in long generations past,
early developed i'm young Jack. After
rushing through various vicissitudes of
gambling and drink. hc devoted the re-
naming part Of his sCddcn intellect To-
the criminal science OF burglary.
His distracted brother for several
years grieved for his sacred trust" 8s
q thing lost 10 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 over. broke
loose again, and in the course of time
his deXterity earned him in the Grim
inal world the sobriquet OF lightning
Jack"
At Lavender court. in the room where
hI patient lay, pr. Maryland found the
IEtle Gray Lady kneeling by the
truckle bed on which n cousumptive
child was dying
-