Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1899-01-26
A SOCIETY GIRL.

at the command of her own oapricious
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 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 1t to his
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, in
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. Judsop was strong
and able-bodied, but misfortune had SO
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 housekeeping no word as
to where he was going. He was frenzied
with grief, and, laboring under exces-
sive energy OF strained emotion, walk
ed briskly and fast, finally reached his
destination-the Thornby home-a
magnificent stone structure at the sides
of which the splendid lawn stretched
away for hundreds OF feet.
Judson's frenzy hardened into anger
az he realized the unjust fate that had
made her an heiress, and him, the
guardian OF 80 many tender, innocent
dependents, pauper!
1T Is useless" he said to himself,
despalringly. ito ask for help here, but
1t 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 1t might
10 IuC hucll Ihdt WOuiu oumAoh AOA
and all like her to another world.
It was 9 o'clock. Miss Thornby had
just finished dressing for the ball when
the maid raped at her door and said:
There's a workingman down in the
hall that insists on seeing you, and
says that he won't 90 away until he
does"
What in the world can he want Of
me?" said she, and then added: well,
If he won't 60 away take him into the
library and I'll be there in a moment"
Soon she came fluttering in in a
cloud OF tulle and ablaze with dia-
monds. Judson had never seen such
vision and he hated her more than
ever. He wanted to strangle her and
wrench off 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 Miss
Thornby crossed to where he stood and
said with the airiest good nature:
did you wish to see me?'
Her tone confused him. Somehow he
had expected to be ill-treated, II not
ordered out. Collecting himself, he said,
tremblingly: Eyes, miss, came to ask
II you would let US stay little longer
in your house. 1 am out of work and
can not pay a cent, and your agent IL
going to turn US into the street to-mor-
row."
my agent is going to put you out OF
your house?" said she, excitedly.
"Out of your house." he corrected.
why, how perfectly horrible" she
exclaimed, in amazement.
Judson caught at a ray Of hope in her
sympathetic manner, and urged on by
it he went on rapidly:
IF you'd only let me stay in It little
longer mebbe can get work soon, and
then, miss, III pay you as fast as can.
It's hard enough to starve-"
ITO 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,
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 leaf
from a check book, II hope this will
help you out. l am sorry that 1t hap
pened. I didn't know that I had an
agent who would be 80 cruel. I am
very sorry for you"
Judson was overwhelmed with CRATE
full surprise. He did not know how the
check read, but he knew by Miss
Thornby's generous manner that 1t was
enough to help him out Of his trouble.
Miss Thornby was scarcely conscious
of having conferred favor, the effort
had been 80 slight, until she saw the
mans trembling hand as he 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. Then he stopped to read
the number on the check. He read 1t
once, and then looked closely and care
fully at 1t again. His heart gave a
sudden bound. There was no mistake
1t read zone hundred dollars"
Judson's angry thoughts of a few
moments before flashed over him and
struck him to the heart. His eyes filled
with tears. God bless her." said he
prayerfully; "she has saved me from
something worse than death" and so
she had, for Judson had made up his
mind not to let his little ones live to