The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-03-17
.I4,s co hot that I've brought

After some struggling the man stood
at the window. The light from across
the opposite street cast faint glow OF
the wall and window, and she could see
that his face was fairly livid and his
eyes bright and staring. The cup
would not go through the bars unit.
she had bent its rim, he watching her
eagerly. He emptied it thirstily twice
"You mustn't have any more" she
said warningly. "Here is cloth wet
in the cold water. Rub your face and
it will refresh YOU"
81 believe you've saved my life," he
murmured. 81 felt; myself sinking
away with every breath till l heard
your voice. -s
81 heard you come up the alley with
the policeman" whispered Molly, "and
1 knew you told the truth. am so
sorry
"Well, you're blessed woman!" said
he, fervently. "Both for believing the
story Of an unfortunate man, and for
thinking to bring me the water. I'm
respectable farmer, from IL miles
west of Veneering land it's true about
the sunstroke. He found me lying on
the ground, and of course took me for
drunk. have money enough to make
some one smart for this-only there's
the disgrace of the police court in the
morning"
Dizzy and weak, he leaned against
he bars and groaned at the thought.
eff you've friends in town, maybe /
could see some one for you tonight"
whispered Molly, timidly.
The man Strengthened himself. "The
very ideal" he exclaimed. $50 to DR.
Roberts, on Fourteenth and Locus.
streets. He treated me last month
when l was sick. Here's the envelope
he addressed to me himself when he
receipted my bill. Give it to him and
tell him about this"
Before he had time to say more,
,Iolly seized the envelope and slipped
Hay. The young man felt his way to
e sheif-iike berth in the corner anO
=, down to rest. Somehow, the dark
IS Cid not seem so intense as it had
afore, nor did he feel exhausted. The
ID water had refreshed him, the
..ndly lords Of the little Samaritan
lad sireus thened him. His heart felt
warn who he thought of her.
In less than an hour he heard tap
ping on the bars. This time he did not
lave TO crawl along the floor to reach
he widow.
TT. Roberts was very angry" she
whispered, land went to headquar
ars TO see about your case. He say;
az he bring the officers right away
- :, E ,aGI. Good-by."
III, ait" said the prisoner. "Te..
,-r:.. Inc. ] want to know whom
20 ihaia, IL this great service"
I'm only Molly Britts," she whis-
pered, "and I work for Mrs. Revel
across the alley. You're welcome, Tn
sure, but it's not likely you'll ever see
ne again"
''But I'd like to know why won't"
was the answer. cam just to forge
Ill this? John Derring is his own mas
er, and he'll probably see you before
he leaves town tomorrow"
''But-but-I don't want you to see
me-" answered she, glad that the dark
hid her bushes.
''Why?" he urged.
"Oh-because I'm so-ugly!" whis
pered Molly, in agonized confusion
that made the brand on her cheek
burn and throb.
"Oh!" laughed the young man soft
ly, tone of relief in his voice. you'll
have to let me be the judge of that
Shake hands till Tomorrow" as Mol
ly's work-hardened little hand slipped
through the bars into his warm clasp
land take my God bless you along
with you. Good night!''
Molly hurried away just as the pc.
'icclnen with their lanterns turne
10 the alley. From her window
he rear of the house she watched
rroup Of men out of sight, on the;rv-
from the Jail, turned to look at herse
in the mirror moment, and then wen
70 bed TO cry herself to sleep and to
dream of feverishly bright eyes and
dark curly hair.
John Derring. pale from his expert
ence of the night before, stood before
Molly in the kitchen the next morn
ing. She blushed and quivered painful
ly. but not by the tremble of an eve
lash did he show that he saw the throb-
bling mark on her face, and from that
moment she worshiped him. Three
months later she stepped out one
morning. clad in modest gray, and
went with him TO the nearest parson.
age. where they were married, much
to Mrs. Revell's dismay and disgust,
that lady giving speech to some of her
burning thoughts on ingratitude.
The once forlorn, heart-starved lit
tie woman is merry, lovable and be-
loved wife now, and the red mark, that
was the heaviest burden of her early
years, is fading, since, secure in her
husbands love and admiration, she has
ceased to be conscious of it. On cab
met in their parlor stands little tin
cup, curiously bent and battered. q
souvenir, so John laughingly tells Mol
~, of her "jail Ladies' World
In Other Days.
What wheel do you ride now, Bear
ings?"
hfa c0v Il