Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1899-03-18
A SOCIETY GIRL.

fly (so every one saidD. with fortune
ait the command OF her own capricioui
fancy. Judson had never seen her. bu
he mad heard of her. for the humble
cottage that treasured all he had in tn,
world belonged to her. The usua
kindly light had long since died out o.
Judson's eyes. and the only sparkle
that ever came from them glanced from
A silent tear. The winter was not vet
over. but the poor commissioners
funds were exhausted. There was nj
work to be had; no one to look TO fol
help. and three tiny babes and an in,
valid wife TO care for.
One of the children had just opened
the stove door and had put something
in. Juson looked away from il to his
wife. Their eyes met in silent con
verse. II was the last stick of wood
and they were both thinking of il.
Never mind. John" said his wife. il
a faint. broken voice. Perhaps some
thing will come TO us before the day
is over"
A few gruff, inariiculate words were
all he could offer. Judson was stronl
and able bodied. but misfortune had Sc
bound him down that he was as help
less as the little toddler that tugged in
vain at his boot strap.
Suddenly he got up from his chair
and left the house-leaving no word a:
TO where he was going. lie was frenziet
ttrsfh snf OA f.h
sive energy Of strained emotion. walk
ed briskly and fast. finally reached his
destination-the Thornby home-s
magnificent stone structure at the side:
OF which the splendid lawn 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. a pauper.
1t is useless" he said TO himself
despairingly. ito ask for help here. but
1t is my last chance" He even thought
the echo of his footsteps mocked him
as he mounted TO the door. and as hs
pressed the bell he wished that IL might
be the knell that would summon hel
and all like her to another world.
II was Q o'clock. Miss Thornby had
just finished dressing for the ball wher
the maid raped at her door and said:
There's a workingman down in the
hail that insists on seeing you. and
says that he won't 90 away until hs
does
What in the world can he want oI
me?" said she. and then added: We'll
II he won't go away take him into thu
library and I'll be there in moment.
Soon she came fiuttering in in 4
cloud OF tulle and ablaze with dia.
monds. Judson had never seen such q
vision and he hated her more thar
ever. He wanted to strangle her and
wrench OF her jewels to sell for bread
to feed his starving family. He stood
near the door with his cap in his hand
and was looking half doggedly out
from his half-bowed head when Mis-:
Thornby crossed 10 where he stood and
said with the airiest good nature:
Ilu lou WISH 10 see me
Her tone confused him. Somehow h,
had expected TO be ill-treated, II moi
ordered out. Collecting himself. he said
trcmblingly: Yes. miss. came to asl
II you would let us stay little longer
in your house. am ont OF work and
can not pay q cent. and your agent /.
going to turn us into the street to-mor.
row"
My agent is going to put you out o
your house," said she. excitedly.
Out of your house" he corrected.
Why. how perfectly horrible" sh,
exclaimed. in amazement.
Judson caught at a ray OF hope in hel
sympathetic manner. and urged on by
II he went on rapidly:
II you'd only let me stay in IL littl,
longer mebbe / can get work soon. and
then. miss, I'll pay you as fast as can
Its hard enough TO starve-"
To starve," she echoed. dropping
her hands and staring at the man. a:
though straining her mind to conceiv,
the idea
Yes, miss" said Judson. in a low
resolute voice. My wife and children
and me-we are starving"
Miss Thornby looked at him with un
accustomed but sincere distress Sud
denly she crossed the room to the writ,
ing desk.
Here" said she. handing him a lea
from check book, II hope this will
help you out. am sorry that II hap
pened. didn't know that had ar
agent who would be so cruel an
very sorry for you.
Judson was overwhelmed with CRATE
ful surprise. He did not know how tn,
check read. but he knew by Mis-.
Thornbys generous manner that II wa.
enough to help him out of his trouble.
Miss Thornby was scarcely consciou.
OF having conferred favor. the efforI
had been so slight. until she saw tn,
mans trembling hand as he took the
paper from her. and listened TO his
fearful voice as he thanked her agar
and again.
Judson went hurriedly down tn,
street in the effort to reach the frs
electric light. Then he stopped to reac
the number on the check He read 4
once. and then looked closely and care
fully al il again. His heart gave /;
sudden bound. There was no mistake
il read "one hundred dollars"
Judson's angry thoughts OF a few
moments before dashed over him ant
struck him 10 the heart His eyes filled
with tears. God bless her" said b,
prayerfully: 'she has saved me from
something worse than death" and q,
she had for hudson had made up hi
mind not 10 let his little ones live I,
suffer starvation.