The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1898-08-19
HAD MISJUDGED HER.

deplorable reality; but the trend of ones
decisions is largely a matter of habit. That
habit, with many people, is either to be
lined up among the pillars of optimism, OF
else to be enrolled in letters of red on the
books Of the opposing party. The cast iron
finality with which most people settle every
thing from moral complications to coffee
grounds would make q United States chief
Justice turn pale with awe.
There are kindly souls whose heart
strings are SO sweetly tuned that nothing
can strike harsh chord from them, but
In this world they are like sweet dreams
born of stormy highland their judg-
ment is not very valuable for the exacting
business of life. Then there are people who
appear to be put upon a solid steel frame
work. Their mentality is razor-edged, and
their hearts are hard; but the best judges
are those who draw one premise from the
head and one from the heart for their con-
illusions. However, there is nothing that
SO affects the courage of ones opinions as
that tickle and elastic word "circum-
stances"
OF all the subjects variously shot at, there
Is probably not one that could collect o
more variegated and elaborate set of opin-
ions expressed about itself, than "the So
ciety girl" By many people she is inva.
riably put down as q fimsy combination OF
late hours, gauzy gowns and gossip. But
to judge her singly, and to put her down in
the concrete under such head, is about as
just as to say that because one Smith was
q pirate, therefore lock up your silver when
anybody by the name of Smith happens in.
The society girl is as various as the figures
on government salary list, and, like it.,
l.; ,,l &c combination
However, in appearance, she is but q
slightly individualized variation of con-
yentional pattern, and it is because of this
that errors in Judgment regarding her SO
often occur
Miss Thornby was veritable butterfly
$50 every one saidU,) with fortune at the
command of her own capricious fancy.
,Judson had never seen her, but he had
heard of her. for the humble cottage that
treasured all he had in the world belonged
to her The usual kindly light had long
since died out Of Judson's eyes, and the
only sparkle that ever came from them
glanced from a silent tear The winter was
not yet over, but the poor commissioners
funds were exhausted. There was no work
to be had: no one to look to for help and
three tiny babies and an invalid wife to care
for.
One of the children had just opened the
stove door and had put something in. Jud-
son looked away from it to his wife. Their
eyes met in silent converse. 1t was the
last stick of wood and they we're both
thinking Of It.
Never mind, john" said his wife, In q
faint, broken voice. perhaps something
will come to US before the day is over
Suddenly no got up from his chair and
left the housekeeping no word az to where
he was going lie was frenzied with grief,
and, laboring under excessive energy of
strained emotion, walked briskly and fast.
Finally reached his destination-the Thorn
by home-a magnificent stone structure at
the sides of which the splendid lava
stretched away for hundreds OF feet,
Judson's frenzy hardened into anger as
he realized the unjust fate that had made
her an heiress, and him, the guardian of
so many tender, innocent dependents.
pauper
1T is useless he said to himself despair
ingy, "to ask help here, but it is my last
chanee," He e9cn thought the echo pF
his footsteps Knocked him as he mounted
to the door, and as he pressed the bell he
wished that it might be the knell that
would summon her and all like her to
another world.
1t was nine O'Clock. Miss Thornby had
Just finished dressing far the ball when the
maid raped at her door and said:
"Thcre's workingman down in the hall
that insists on seeing you. and says he won't
go away till he does
''What in the world can he want of me?"
said she, and then added: "Well, if he
won't go away take him into the library
and III be there in momeat,"
Soon she came futtering In, In cloud
of tulle and ablaze with diamonds. Judson
had never seen such vision and he hated
her more than ever. He wanted to strange
her and to wrench off her jewels to sell for
bread to feed his starving family. He stood
near the door, with bis cap in his hand;
and was looking half doggedy out from his
half bowed head when Miss Thornby
airiest good nature:
'Did you wish to see me, sir?"
Her tone confused him. Somehow he had
expected to be i'll treated, if not ordered
out. collecting himself he said tremblingly;
Eyes, miss, came to ask if you would let
us stay little longer in your house.
am out of work and cannot pay the rent,
and your agent is going to turn us into the
street tomorrow.
"My agent is going to put you out of
your hause2" said she, excitealE,
"Out of your house, he corrected.
"Why, how perfectly horrible" she ex-
claimed in amazemcnt.
Judson caught OF ray of hope in her
sympathetic manner and urged on by it he
went on rapidly:
"If you'll only let me stay in a little
longer mebbe can get work soon, and then,
miss, III pay you as fast as can. It's hard
enough to starve-"
''To starve!" she echoed, dropping her
hands and staring at the man, as though
straining her mind to conceive the idea.
eyes, miss" said Judson, in low, reso-
lutte voice. my wife, and the children and
me-we are starving"
Miss Thornby looked at him with unac-
cnstomed but sincere distress. Suddenly sha
crossed the room to the writing desk.
Here said she, handing him leaf from
check book, Il hope this will help you
ont. ! am very sorry that it happened.
didn't know that | had an agent who
would be so cruel. ] am very sorry for
you"
Judson was overwhelmed with grateful
surpriso. He did not know how the check
Eead but BIO knew by Miss Thornby's gen.
erous manner that it was enough to help
him out of his trouble.
Miss Thornby was scarcely conscious of
having conferred favor, the effort had
been so slight, until she saw the man $
trembling hand as be took the paper from
her, and listened to his fearful voice as he
thanked her again and again.
Judson went hurriedly down the street
in the effort to reach the first electric light.