The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-08-09
A SOCIETY GIRL.

Miss Thornby was a yeritable butter
fly ESQ every one said, with fortuni
at the command of her own capriciou
fancy. Judson had never seen her, bu
he had heard of her. for the humble
cottage that treasured all he had In the
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 yei
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 it to hi
wife. Their eyes met in silent con
verse 1t was the last stick of wood
and they were both thinking OF it.
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, inarticulate words were
all he could offer, Judson was strong
and able bodied, but misfortune had Sc
bound him down that he was as help
less as the little fodder that tugged il
vain at his boot strap.
Suddenly he got up from his chali
and left the housekeeping no word al
60, ,xtha bo To Fran1iaf
with grief, and, laboring under exces-
sive energy of strained emotion, walk.
ed briskly and fast, finally reached hi:
destinatlon-the IhornDy nome-s
magnificent stone structure at the sides
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, pauper!
1t is useless" he said to himself
despairingly, ito ask for help here. but
it is my last chance. He even thought
the echo OF 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 9 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 go away until he
does"
What in the world can he want OF
me?" said she. and then added: well
II he won't go away take him into the
library and I'll be there in a moment
Soon she came fiuttering in In 3
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 anc
wrench of her jewels to sell for breac
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 to where he stood and
said with the ARREST good nature:
Did you wish to see me?"
Her tone confused him. Somehow he
had expected to be ill-treated, II moi
ordered out. Collecting himself, he said
tremblingly: Yes, miss, l came to ash
il you would let us stay little longer
in your house. l am out OF work anG
can not pay cent, and your agent i,
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 Amusement.
Judson caught at a ray of hope In hel
sympathetic manner and urged on by
ii he went ON rapidly:
III you'd only let me stay In it littl,
longer mebbe can get work soon. ant
then. miss, I'll pay you as fast as can
It's hard enough to starye-'
ITO starve." she echoed, droppin,
her hands and staring at the man, a
though straining her mind to conceiv,
the idea.
"les, miss" said Judson, In 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 a check book. Il hope this will
help you out. l am sorry that 1t hap
pened. l didn't know that l had al
agent who would be so cruel. an
very sorry for YOU"
Judson was overwhelmed with crate
full surprise. He did not know how tn
check read, but he knew by Mis-
Thornby's generous manner that It wa
enough to help him out OF his trouble
| Miss Thornby was scarcely consciou
OF having conferred favor. the effor
had been SO slight. until she saw tn
mans trembling hand as he took tn
paper from her. and listened to hi
fearful voice as he thanked her asai,
and again.
Judson went hurriedly down tn
street in the effort to reach the frs