Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1897-09-23

he wondered if she were firing of
her charitable work, so obvious to
him had been her troubled mind
sometimes. Tonight, walking be.
side her through the busy streets, he
abruptly put his fancy into words.
Yes, j am very tired" she an
swered. "I hate the work. e"
hate 20
" But it isn't compulsory" he ex-
claimed. "Why do you do it?"
Because L must" she said, bit
terly.
Paul Maryland was not a rapid
thinker, and not until they had turned
into the street where she lived did he
come to some sort of conclusion. -
Perhaps she was performing deeds
Of charity in eXpiation of some tri-
fling sin, magnified 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. "
want to tell you something. Let us
walk back to the end of the street ;"
u" love you, Hester, l love you"
His low voice penetrated through the
traffic Of the street. ~ am not a
young man, but my feeling for you
Is deep and strong enough to last my
lifetlme, even unto eternity" He
caught the sharp sob that was choked
in her throat. Hester" he cried,
look at me Oh, my darling, what
is it ?"
&c am so happy !" she said.-
That is ALL"
How long they walked up and
down that pavement, neither knew.
They were jerked back to the reality
of things by faint, hoarse voice
that seemed to have sprung out of
the darkness beside them:
Paul, for Gods sake, save me !
1t is the last time | shall trouble you"
$50 to my house, by the back
door. l will join you in ten min.
utes."
And, catching at Hester's hand, he
hurried her along.
| ou are trembling, dearest. That
man has frightened you. He meant
no harm. 1t is my brother"
" Your brother ?" she gasped.-
"' Lightning jack your brother ?"
" What do you know of Light
ming Jack p Who are you?"
"Come with me TO my lodgings" {"
she said, family "I 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 wrunp
from her at last.
She was no angel Of charity, but a
person sent from Scotland Yard to
track the burglar, "Lightning Jack -
$50 this is our Little Gray Lady (!
human bloodhound paid to hunt
down fallen wretches.n
Every word lashed her like whip.
In the distress of that hour he was
blind to her pain, blind to Justice,
bliud to his very love for her.
Well, your victim is ready at
your hand" he said, bitterly, to the
trembling representative of Scotland
Yard. "Of course you will do your
duty"
He walked from the room without
backward glance. For an instant
she remained thus spiritless and
daZed. Then gradual indignation
worked its way through her clouded
brain.
What had she done to evoke con-
tempt. to forfeit happiness Born
of detective father, she had been
carefully trained by the clever pa
rent in certain intricacies of the pro-
fession, and since his death the work
had been to her means of liveli-
hood.
The cheap clock on the mantel-
piece struck eleven, and she raised
her face at last, wondrous pity
looking out of her burning eyes,
Why had she considered only her
self? His seeming cruelty had been
but the outcome of fear for the
safety of his brother.
When the dawn showed through
the chinks of the blind, she threw
open the window and leaned out her
face in the chilly breeze.
Hester, have been waiting for
you, hoping against hope that you
did not go back last night tot to
Scotland Yard"
1t was Paul Maryland standing on
the pavement. He bent his face
close to hers and whispered.
Thank God" she said, with
shaking lips.
Death had spared her terrible
task. Lightning Jack" had died
in delirium in the arms of his
brother.
One of the cleverest lady assist
ants attached to Scotland Yard re-
signed her post few weeks ago, on
the occasion Of her approaching
marriage.
The pew.Opener of the Southwark
church was heard to remark that
"in all her ken" no man had ever
looked 80 proud of his bride as did
the 8" U m m ing" doctor, who
brought back the Little Gray Lady
to live with them.
NEW SCHOOL OF REFORMERs.-
Who Is that woman with the big
hat and the pasty complexion
Why, that's the Countess Cara
mels-the woman who ran away
from her husband and five children
with an organ-grinder. She's the
author of that charming phamphlet
entitled "A Warning to American
Girls."n
"And who Is that red faced female
In the low-necked gown?"
| "ThatS LADY Shamey She,s been