Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1899-12-08

ing place, the woman who answered
Virginia : knock said that both Mr.. and
Mrs. Gray We're out somewhere and
would not be back until o clock
Virginia had not planned anything
further than IA possible appeal To the
Grays either To take charge of Loreen
for awhile or find some safe place for
her until she was sober again. She stood
now at the lodging after the woman
had spoken, and she was really at loss
TO know what to do Loreen sank down
stupidity on the steps and buried her
face in her arms. Virginia eyed the
miserable figure with feeling that she
was fearful would grow into disgust.
Finally thought possessed Virginia
that she could not resist What was TO
hinder Lorecn from going home with
her? Why should not this homeless,
wrctched creature, reeking with the
fumes of liquor, be cared for in Nir-
ginia's own home. instead of being
consigned To strangers in some hospital
or house of charity? Virginia really
knew very little about any such places
Of refuge. As matter of fact, there
were two or three such institutions in
Raymond, but it is doubtful if any of
them would have taken person like
Lorcen in her present condition. But
that was not the question with Virginia
inst now What would Jesus do with
LoreenY" was what Virginia faced, and
she finally answered it by touching
Loreen again.
'Loreen. GOMEZ You are going home
with me. We will take the car here at
the corner
Lorecn staggered 20 her feet and. TO
Virginia relief, made no trouble. She
had expected resistance or a stubborn
refusal To move When they reached
the corner and took the car, it was
nearly full of people going rp town.
Virginia was painfully cOnscioUs Of the
stare that greeted her and her cOTpan-
ION as they entered but her thought
was directed more and more TO the APP
preaching scene with her grandmother
What would Mime. Page say when she
saw Loreen?
lJ'u cen W ~ lltdl ~ fODNl IONs Dib CllC
was lapsing into state of stupOr. Nir-
ginia was obliged to hold fast TO her
arm Several times she lurched heavily
against Virginia, ard as the two went
up the avenue n curious crowd of peo-
pie turned and gazed at them. When
she mounted the steps of the handsome
house. Virginia breathed sigh of re-
1,.a . ,,,tn ~,gxt.
with her grandmother, and when the
door shut and she was in the wide hall
with her homeless outcast she felt equal
TO anything chat might now come
Mime. Page was in the library. Hear
ing Virginia come in, she came into the
hall Virginia stood there supporting
Loreen, who stared stupidity at the rich
magniticence of the furnishings around
her
"Grandmother" - Virginia spoke
without hesitation and very clearly
Il have brought one of my friends
from the Rectangle. She is in trouble
and has no home. | am going to care
for her a little while
Mime. Page glanced from her grand
daughter to Loreen in establishment.
did you say she was one of your
friends?" she asked in cold, sneering
voice that hurt Virginia more than any
thing she had yet felt.
Eyes; | said so. Virginias face
flushed, but she seemed to recall the
verse. that Mr. Gray had used for one
Of his recent sermons, "A friend of pub
Leans and sinners. Surely Jesus would
do this that she was doing
EDO You know what this girl isH
asked Nine. Page in an angry whisper
stepping near Virginia.
Il know very well She is an out
cast. You need not tell me, grand
mother | know it even better than you
do She is drunk at this minute. But
she is also child of God. | have seen
her on her knees repentant, and | have
seen hell reach ont its horrible fingers
after her again, and. 10y the grace of
Christ feel that the least | can do is
to rescue her from such peril Grand
mother, we call ourselves Christians.
Here is a poor. lost human creature
without home, slipping into possible
eternal loss. and we have more than
enough have brought her here and
shall keep her
Nine Page glared at Virginia and
clinched her hands. All this was con
trary to her social code of conduct.
How could society excuse such famil-
| iarity with the scum of the streets
What would Virginia's actions cost the
family in the way of criticism and the
| loss of standing and all that long list OF
necessary relations which people OF
wealth and position must sustain to the
leaders of society," To Nine Page SO
| ciety represented more than the church
or any other institution. 1t was pow
er to be feared and obeyed. The loss OF
! its good will was a loss more TO b,
dreaded than anything. except the los:
Of wealth itself.
She stood erect and stern and con
fronted Virginia. fully reused and de
termined Virginia placed her arm
about Loreen and calmly looked hel
| grandmother in the face.
| lyon shall not do this Virginia