The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1901-07-19

are no friends, you know, except
me-"
"No friendsl" echoed Mrs. Jack
inquiringly. Isn't the father"
"The father was killed couple
of months ago, in some sort of a
brawl, l imagine. He didn't
amount TO much, exceptin Miles
eyes. A few years ago she made
a runaway marriage. Her fami-
ly never forgave her. Their place
adjoins my old home in Virginia.
She and | played and quarreled to-
gether almost since babyhood.
They are awfully aristocratic peo-
pic, and Mile was the only child,
the prettiest girl for miles around,
A regular little queen she was,
too, that you couldn't duplicate
this side of Mason and Dixon's
line. If she had any defects, it
was wilfulness, but that never
ran in unpleasant channels un-
til this elopement affair. The
family made her angry by abusing
the man, / reckon. They might
have known that was the very way
to keep a high spirited girl like
Mile loyal to him. These things
are not entirely one sided"
Phelps glanced at Mrs. Jack for
confirmation. She nodded en-
phatically.
"The fellow drank, and led Mil
lie life, to Judge from what |
could ferret out. She is too proud
to tell much. Things went from
bad to worse. They tried two or
three other towns. and at last
ended up here in Chicago"
:Why didn't she write to her
mother at once and go home after
her husbands death?" interrupted
Mrs. Jack.
ooh, you don't know Mile, or
you wouldn't ask. They had re-
sponded to her first letter begging
forgiveness by sending her trunks
after her. She was too proud and
bitter from the struggle to write
again. She was trying to exc out
the little money she had by selling
her last ring when they found her
in a collapsed condition in the
street. Some one had sense
enough to ring for an ambulance
and have her taken to st. Johns.
1t was there ! found her, by acct
dent, and through the superintend-
ent did what little | could for her.
1t wasn't much, you know. ! did
not see her until this morning, af-
ter the baby had died"
Phelps stopped abruptly.
"Yesp' said Mrs. Jack eagerly,
leaning across, the arm of her
chair in schoolgirl fashion. Her
heart was shining through her
eyes.
Phelps cleared his throat with |
unnecessary fierceness and contin-
ned:
"You would have thought that
/ was her brother She put her
arms around my neck and cried
when she opened her eyes and saw
me. The nurse had taken me into
the bed room and up to the bed
side, and there she lay, the merest
white shadow of the Mile we had
known at home, AS ] spoke to
her, she opened her eyes in stupid
wonder, and then with little cry
held up her arms. She cried then
and the nurse said to let her. Poor
little grill She was taking things
pretty hard. 1t comforted her to
know ! was going to look after the
baby. She had a horrible potter's
field idea whirling around in her
head. So I've come to you, Mrs.
Jack. | would like to dispense
with the undertaker's wagon, and
take the little caskets out to
Graceland in the finest, most aris-
tocratic outfit in town. If you
had known Mile in those queenly /,
days you would understand why" {
Mrs. Jack had risen with a
sob in her throat. Her /
Iimpid eyes were on fire. Il
Eyes, yes" she said quickly, II {
10 understand. What time do you
want the carriageg Two o'clockg {
All right. 1t shall be there !
promptly. Do you want me, toog I
MOI Well, just as you say. Wait |
/ minute. II
She ran from the room, return I,
tt $780,. 1.sr .tt