Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1903-01-29
hair rolled IN a knot At the nape Of her


dow brought her head and face and
slight form-into bold relief.
He saw her plainly, her voice had
| betrayed her even before he had known
or guessed her identity. Yes, it was
Louise. older, Trailer, helpless and a
beggar, no, not exactly that, for it
| seemed even here she was a toiler as
of old.
"My God!" he thought, show long
has she been herew
But they hurried him on, and when
once more in the open air he felt he
had not reached it any too soon. He
was never so near fainting fit in his
life.
"Are you ill, Mr.. Hunter?" inquired
more than.aone.
"a little" he replied. 81 think will
60 to my room at the hotel and rest
until supper"
But no sooner did he find himself
alone than he sent for one of the
maids, girl that he knew had always
lived in the place.
MARY" said he, 81 want to ask you
few questions, and you're not to tell
anyone a thing / shall say. If make
you a present of five dollars, do you
think you can hold your tongue?"
| Mary tossed her head and eyed the
| five-dollar bill.
81 can tell the truth without being
paid AS for telling anything else, no
money could make me do that"
Every well, my girl, l only want the
truth. When was Louise Upton taken
| Toto"
He did not finish, something seemed
to choke back the word.
The girls eyes opened and grew
round as saucers. All, she remem-
bered now hearing her granny tell
that Louise Upton had once had a
lover who had gone away and grown
rich. Could it be this was he?
"Only a year ago." she answered
softly, pitying the man she saw was
really suffering. ''She worked as long
as she could, but it was rheumatism
crippled her feet and she could not
run a machine, then her hands were
bad, too, and-and there wasn't anyone
to take care of her, so she asked to
be put where she is"
"How long has her aunt been dead?
"Her aunt! Oh, can just remem'
Der her; about Is years, | think. But
nicer, sweeter lady than Miss Louise
couldn't be found. Lots of us cried
and would have helped her, but she
said no, she would go where she be-
longed."
"Where she belonged" repeated the
rich man, in tone of voice that made
the girls eyes sparkle.
Here is your money; take it, and
I'll not forget you, either"
Thank YOU" said the maid, smiling
joyously. "You are very kind"
Very kind! Did the walls take uT
the words, and echo and re-echo them
Kind, very kind! Him; kind?
He sat for an hour with closed eyes
and compressed lips, then, as the
shades of evening stole around, he
passed out and sought once more the
matron of the county inirmary.
at is not the hour for visitors" she
sadi, GROSSLY.
But when he explained that he must
see one of the inmates privately, and
rendered another five-dollar bill, he
was quickly admitted.
He waited for her in cold, damp
room, called the reception-room, anc
she came at last-at last. The door
opened softly; there was a thump
| II, s h.
and Louise, wondering and surprised
stood before him.
He bowed and wheeled forward q
small sofa, upon which she sank, more
and more surprised, for she did not
recognize him.
Louise" he said, huskily, coming
out into the stronger light. Louise
don't you know me?"
"Bob-Bob Hunter!"
"Yes," he said, taking a seat at hel
side, Bob Hunter. Don't you want to
shake hands?' She half extended hel
hand. and then drew it back.
Don't, if you don't want to-"
"Oh, it isn't that-but my hand"
He knew, when he took it almost by
force; the pretty, white hand that had
been was now drawn and toiI-marked
He held it between both his own. his
head bent over it, while hot tear fell
upon it.
Louise felt her breath coming ano
going at most surprising rate, while
she could not speak.
1--WE thought it all over. Louise, ever
since found you here, this afternoon
| never knew what cold-hearted Wiz
lain l was before, but know it well
enough now"
Still Louise was silent.
II loved you. l have never loved
anyone else, but money was my god
and-and it conquered me. But to-day
when l saw you so frail and helpless
and so poor. and thought of all your
life has been, and contrasted it with
what it might have been, had not been
so cruel in the past, | felt that
wanted to go out and shoot myself"
But you didn't" said Louise, smil
ing with something of her old bright
ness.
no. because back of it was a little
hope. faint ray, indeed, but thought
perhaps, even if you hated me, you
might let me see that-that you never
wanted for anything. If you don't
1 won't answer for the consequences
"Fie, Bob?"
"Of course there's better way
that is, if you don't hate me, after all
which do you choose?'
The cold and cherries room seemed
to change TO one of radiant splendor
when he bent over TO hear her low
reply:
Il have always tried to choose the
better way. Boston Budget.
known to live. The chances for The