The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1897-11-26
LITTLE GRAY LADY.

some one was coming bu6 SltlEs as
the little district visitor was descending.
The ascending party struck match, which
threw a 4tful glare over the damp and
filthy walls and the gray gOwned form OF
Hester Moore. DR.. Paul Maryland stepped
aside, hattening his broad shoulders
against the baluster rail to admit wider
passage for her benefit.
During the next two weeks this 'tslum-
ming doctor and the soberly dressed lit
tie district visitor met half dozen times
on their separate ways to or from some
den in a crowded alley, and at the end OF
a fortnight they actually defied criticism
and spoke 1t was raining a steady drizzle,
and through the mire of a dirty court
Paul Maryland saw a familiar form in gray
stepping over the puddIes without an UNI
brella.
'tPlease take mine, - he said.
But she would only consent to share it.
These places are not fit for you, 3" said
the doctor later when walking with her
homeward. ''You' re too young, tOO-too-
Indeed it is scarcely safe for so young
girl to venture among the criminals that
are hidden here.
But I must, " she murmured.
All, you are one of those brave women
willing to risk anything. 1 had heard
of you long before I had the pleasure 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
exclaimed 1t is more often for you they
call in the extremity of their pain than
for me-"
81 am glad if have done any good, -
she said, signing with relief.
"Goodr' he echoed. IF 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
1t was not often that he was left TO enjoy
meal in peace, and today was not an eZ-
ception to the rule. He was still contem-
plating a second slice of cake when he re-
ceived hasty summons to a case in Law
ender court.
THAT'S just like him, - she growled in
monologue. He'll never be rich while
he doctors them paupers for nothing, and
they take vantage Of his goodness, they
do. Now, if Master Jack hadn't turned
out a scoundrel'
Master Jack was Paul Mayland's young
est brother, his junior by 5 years, who
had been left sacred trust by their dy-
ing mother to the elders care. Some seeds
Of depravity, perhaps sowed in long gen
erations past, early developed in young
Jack.
His distracted brother for several years
grieved for his sacred trust" as a thing
lost to him until one night Jack had APP
peared 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 criminal world the sobriquet Of
Lightning Jack"
At Lavender court, in the room where
IL a.
little gray lady kneeling by the truckle bed
on which a consumptive child was dying.
81 sent for you, - she said II knew
you would come if you possibly could. "
She had puzzled him from the first-her
absolute loneliness and her reserve. To
night walking beside her through the
busy streets, he abruptly put his fancy in
to words.
Eyes I am very tired !" she answered.
81 hate the work. I hate it. -
"But it ism It compulsory, " he exclaimed.
"Why do you 90 it?''
6 Because must, - she said bitterly.
Yes, he loved her. She had guessed it
long ago. 1t was in that moment when
he had once unconseiously revealed his Sc
cret that her work had become suddenly
hateful to herself.
81 love you, Hester; love you" His
low voice penetrated through the traffic
of the street. u 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 mel Oh, my darling, what
is it?''
81 am SO happy she said. "That is
all
How long they walked up and down
the pavement neither knew. They were
jerked back to the reality of things by
faint, hoarse voice that seemed to have
81 i.
Paul, for Gods sake, save mel 1t is
the last time shall trouble you"
go to my house by the back door.
viii join you in ten minutes. -
And, catching at Hester hand, he hur-
ried her along.
you are trembling, dearest. That
man has frightened you. He meant no
harm. He is my brother -
"Your brotherr' she gasped. Light
ming Jack your brotherl''
'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 stretch
ed 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 per-
son sent from Scotland Yard to track the
burglar Lightning Jack.
well, your victim is ready at hand, "
be said bitterly to the trembling repre-
sentative of Scotland Yard. "Of course
you win do your duty"
He walked from the room without a
backward glance For an instant she re-
manned thus, spiritless and dazed-
What had she done to evoke contempt
Dr forfeit happiness? Born of a detective
father, she had been carefully trained by
the clever parent in certain intricacies Of
the profession, and since his death the work
had been to her a means of livelihood
When the dawn showed through the
shinks of the blind, she threw open the
window and leaned out her face in the