The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1900-09-07

ion was that it was "fools errand,"
but Martha was not to be moved.
It took her day and night to go
to Louisborough. She had never been
in such large city, and the hurry and
hustle confused her. Some one in o.
borne had told her to ask policeman
how to find Mr.. eyes house, and when
she saw blue-coated officer at one end
of the station platform, she went up to
him and said:
"Can you tell me where Mr.. Justin D.
eye hves?'
He lives three or four miles from
here, miss, but his place of business
isn't more than five minutes walk"
II don't think that want to 20 to
his house. I want to see him on-on-
business
"Then you'd better go to his office.
Go right up this street until you come
to K street. Half a block down that
you'll come to big marble front build
ing. You'll find Mr.. eyes Office in that
building. Take the elevator, and the
elevator boy will show you just where
it isl,
Martha's timid, forlorn appearance
appealed to this big guardian of the
law, and moved him to be thus explicit.
It was well for Martha that she did
not hear him say as she moved away:
"What can she want with old Gye?
If she's on begging errand, she'd bet
ter save her breath"
Martha easily found the marble
building, and her heart began to futter
a little when she saw shining brass
plate at the side of the doors, with the
name Justin D. eye" on it in black let
tiers. Below the plate she read:
Rooms "a and 26.''
She did not take the elevator, but
climbed the marble stairway, and at
the head of the first fight she found
rooms "a and 2e, with Mr.. eyes name
on both doors.
An almost irresistible impulse to flee
from the place and take the first train
for Osborne seized Martha. The very
atmosphere of the place chilled and de-
pressed her. It's marble splendor made
her realize her shabby appearance. Her
dusty, worn old shoes looked out of
place on the marble floor. The cheap
ness of her black skirt, her worn jack
ct and faded straw hat impressed itself
upon her. Her ungloved hand trembled
as she laid it on the shining brass door
knob.
In the room she entered, half a dozen
clerks were at their desks, and there
were other clerks in a room beyond.
A boy in livery came forward and asked
her whom she wanted to see.
mr.. Gye," replied Martha.
''He's busy" was the reply.
II could watt" said Martha.
''Have you card to send in?''
'tNo."sreplied Martha, with blush.
you'll have to send in your name
first"
MY name is Martha COMBS
The boy motioned toward three or
four chairs near the door. 4
"You can sit down and wait, and I'll
take in your name when Mr.. eyes pres
ent caller goes"
Martha waited an hour and half.
during which time she regained her
self possession. Other persons who
came in and asked to see Mr.. eye were
told to wait, and they, too, sat down
in the row of chairs near the door.
At the end of an hour and half the
boy came up to Martha and said: D..
Mr.. eye says you can come in"
She passed into the private room. A
p6rtly, pompous-looking man sat at a
rosewood desk. His manner was almost
harsh, a. he said:ss Fa4 s4s 4 ':'. : D.
"You wanted to see me ~ -. -
Eyes, sir"
II am extremely busy, and can give
you but few minutes. What do you
want%* t$s al Aass63 >ssE&
4 came from Osborne, which is sew
eral hundred miles from here, to bring
Martha walked. forward and handed
MI. dye theedd, faded, outlawed note.
She stood quietly by his desk and
watched him as hereadit. '
s There is something written on the
other side, sir" she said, quietly, when
he had read thenotes and let it fall. He
tookait up and read herfather words
on the back of the note. His hand
trembled and his eyes were downcast
when the note again fell to his desk, ,.s .
Martha fancied that he looked lit
tie pale, and she saw him bite his lip
under his gray mustache. He put one
hand over his eyes. His other arm fell
heavily at his side. There was silence
in the room for fully asminute; then,
with his hand still before his eyes, he
asked. in . husky voice: - ,~r4 's r.
where did you get this p s s'. f.: : :
Il found it among some old papers Of
my fathers, SIR =, =, s ss I .s5ss . q
Are you Jared Coombs' daushter?'
Eyes. SIR 8. -. sa 4 BE-.
"And is he living yet p, ). s54l.3 4
mo, sir. He died five days ago, and T
brought the note to- You because he died
70 poor that ! have not asdollar for the
xupport Of my sister and nv three little.