The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1900-02-17

"Oh, but | did remember you, and
your name was on the tip of my tongue.
| hope you have had no trouble about that
wretched bill.
There ism t much to tell you, and yet
| thought you would like to hear it, - he
explained
Il should like it very much, said
Kate, encouragingly. ''It was very good
of you to look me up. | am sure. on
ly wish you had come little earlier, and
had found me at home But now ! have
an appointment | shall have to keep,
Perhaps if you could walk a little way
with me you might tell me your news. "
THANK you, responded Handy, with
a trace Of relief in his tone, for he had
dreaded call at a house where he mag
ined he might be regarded as an intruder
II sent the bill away-to a town IN the
East, where used to live. 1t is still in
the hands of the person to whom sent 1t.
haven been able TO get it back yet, but
will pretty soon Besides, as | am sure
it is genuine, won't you please let me pay
back What you gave me ?
Really, cannot consent to that SO
long as there is a shadow of doubt My
father SAYS ii Is a counterfeit, and he's an
authority.
They had reached corner, and Handy,
she saw clearly, was meditating retreat
down the side street, now that his proiler
had been made and declined Such a
course did not suit her at ALL
Il am very glad to hear that You have
traced the hill, she went on, hurriedly.
Besides, want to ask favor. Can
You not come with me little further 2
Hand abandoned his idea of flight with
commeudable alaerity, and as they walked
on Kate made her request
Our church society, she explained,
has agreed to help some poor people.
We had a list Of families given us, but the
other girls captured them all, and none
was left for inc. don't think it fair to
sit by idly, do you2 Aud | thought that
possibly ycu might know Of some ease in
which could 10 something.
Just now / can help you, he an-
swcred rcaretfully. You know I've
been here but a short time came 10
tins city To- be a salesman. had good
l.lsec bul the tirm cut down expenses and
I lost e. Thea was ont in the eoll iill
-oi work ou the toad, and since then
I've made few acquaintance. 1t seems
very lonesome sometimes.
II should think it would, said Kate,
symyatheticaIIy. She believed she under
stood the case thoroughly young mau
fresh from a country town, forced to labor Of
an uncongenial sort, surrounded by persons
With whom he had little in common. Per
haTs she could do something for him; ii
might be that right here was work ready
10 her hand, work fully as useful a. supply
in. the needs of some improvideut claimant
cor charity. Surely it was better to aid
brave youth IN gallant 6ght against
adverse fate than to Suocor some craven
who would not even attempt the battle
His fallen fortunes had not made Han
dy morrSe or Respondent Looking Al
him out Of the corner Of her eye Kate
realized that he promised to be an attrac-
tive pr,sege. He was quite prsehtable
he had bis share of good looks, and, though
/ III, garments were far from new, and then
Gu. suggested their rural origin, they had
SCI, to reach the stage OF shabbiness.
Moreover. there was a boyishness about
him which Miss Mason found pleasing,
and which, in her owa mind, gave ampl,
excuse for taking him under her protecting
wing Undoubtedly, he could, if he
wuuld, find many openings for the charita-
DE work of the Young Ladies Society
among the pcsorer classes, with which he
would be more or Isss identified 50 long a,
he remained in the employ Of the railway
company.
II think, Mr. Handy, Kate urged,
you could be great help to- Us. 1t
would do you good TO look about among
/ the people who need assistance. You
could assist us in picking GU; the really
deserving eases, why, there's no end Of
the things You could do, You see our
congregation she interrupted herself
But perhaps, you belong to some other
church
II used to 90 to church regularly yin
the country, said Handy, but herr
is different somehow. What with sun
day work and-well, you know, a fellow
when he down on his luek likes to liz
low. Il seemed to me that afterward
wouldnt want too many folks to know
what I'm DOING now, although I'm moi
ashamed Of it,
There no reason why YOU should be,
said Kate, warmly Now, Mr.. Handy,
if YOU have time, | should be very glad t,
see you at our church--St. Matthew $
SUNDAY night think You will like tbs
service, aud after it is over We can talk
about our charity work. Remember,
shah look for You
The or.anist 81 St Matthew was play
ing the congregation cut Of church aiteI
the Sunday evening service, when Kate
saw her new acquaintance again. He wa'
standing along in the space behiud fh,
pews. watching the lines OF people moving
down the aisl,~ She went up 10 him a
once
Il am 50 glad you are here, was heI
cordial greeting. '.Didn' you like the
music ? We think it is the best in the
city. And our rector is such dear; didn
his sermon please you? And have you
any poor families for me We can tax,
care of two or three more, for we VI
several new members.
Il have found two families, said tn,
young man. Both of them are desper-
ately hard-up, and too proud to ask assist.
ance. But they Il accept it, no doubt, il
it comes to them, | have brought their ad
dresses,
He gave her slip of paper.
THAT a good beginning. knew you
could aid us wonderfully can stop tC
say more just now; but, Mr.. Handy, | dc
wish you could come to meeting we re
to have in the lecture-room downstairs
next Wednesday night There are to be
several good speakers, and | should like to
tell You how we fare with the people
YOU We found You will find it interest
ing.
OF course, Handy, whose work left him
free in the evening, and often in the after
noon, accepted the invitation He heard
NJ l.