Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-10-13

n
| as she thought Of returning to the con
vent She knew she was disgraced for
ever in the eyes of the sisters and sh
knew the many ways she would b
made 10 feel their displeasure. So shi
. drifted along for few days. not know
ing what to do Then she realized witt
shock that her money was almost ex
hausted. She thought Of going 10 Sta.
pleton and throwing herself upon his
mercy. But her pride and hatred dis
missed the idea at once No, she would
work and earn her own living first
She started out TO seek work. In the
stores where she saw many girls en-
ployed, in Offices, In binderies and fac
tories-but she had no skilled labor to
offer and was turned away until her
heart was as sore as her feet The days
passed and the bottom Of her purse was
reached. Then came an icy atmos-
pnere at her boarding house and she
realized the bitter fact that the world
has no use for the person without
money. Frightened, desolate and des-
| perate, she staggered out for a final
trial, If she faied-why there was the
river as last resort.
But II is always darkest just before
dawn and the tide turned on this dark
est day of her life She happened into
a big insurance office, where extra help
was needed to address circulars, and
she was engaged temporarily.
The manager noticed her and was
impressed by her refined face and man
ners and after the extra work was out
Of the way she was transferred to a
regular department and put on the pay
roll.
These we're the happiest days she
had ever known. Small as her wages
we're they suficed for her needs and
she was absolutely independent and
mistress Of herself But there IS no
rose without a thorn and soon Marian |
found herself the object of most en- |
barrassing attentions from the mana
ger of the department As they grew |
to be intolerable she found rescue from |
an unexpected quarter Tom Wilson,
sub-bookkeeper, observed the mana
gers attentions one afternoon and fol-
lowed Marian out into the hall, where
he hailed her.
Il beg your pardon" said he. "but |
can see that you are a country girl and
not used to city ways; therefore l take
the liberty to say to you that the less /
you have to do with Hyde the better
it Will be for you. say this because
have a sister myself and I would
deem II a particularly friendly act If
some fellow would give her a tip in a
case like this"
Marian flushed scarlet. Thank YOU.
sir. she said. Il have tried every way
10 avoid him, but | cannot Her eyes ,
1lled with tears and Tom noticed then
hat they were uncommon fine eyes.
III see that he does not annoy you
further" he said.
lie was as good as his word One
interview with Hyde sufficed and Ma
Ian was left in peace. In this way J
friendship began between Wilson and ]
Marian, which resulted in something a
warmer and in the springtime. when c
'om told her the old. old story. she
vas glad to lay her tired head on his
road shoulder and let him assume all :,
he responsibility and care. :
And a new nest was built in a quiet =
little fiat and Marian sang all the day 4.
ong. =
In the meantime, Hiram Stapleton
ad narrowly escaped apoplexy. After
xhausting all the machinery of the Ell
lodern detective agency he was finally "
breed to admit his defeat and reported
his joint clients that their daughter al
ad escaped from the convent and was hi
'st tn the great city Post haste came
ilbert Lansing from abroad and his
Ne from the south. Forgetting their
inerences, they Joined hands to find
he missing girl
One evening Tom Wilson burst into v
is modest fat blazing with excite
ent m
Look at this" he exclaimed point-
~ to his newspaper. What does II Il
ean?" III
Sure enough there was an advertise v
ent for Marian Lansing signed hy her
theirs name. Then for the first time A
.e told Tom the story Of her life. and
gether they went to the great hotel
in the advertisement n,
There they found Gilbert Lansing
arian refused TO speak until her
other was also present. wheregpoB
g mother was sent for. Then she told
e story Of the letter and her quest tn
ding with a tear-emphasized appead 70
her parents TO forget and forgive ~;
an appeal so eloquent that before II "a
Is fairly ended Mrs. Lansing was in
r husbands arms n.
And who is this young man?" asked eh
e latter. for
That Oh, that is Tom" replied VA VA
irian. 80
Tom repeated Mr.. Lansing. knit an
g his hrows. Tom who?" an,
Tom Wilson. my husband ~ vei
lrse, - replied Marian. flushing
here isn't awv oh ~ DIV