Williston graphic. (Williston, Williams County, N.D.) 1895-1919, 1904-07-07
El n sf-s, \, 81 M
Ag.MAIDEN'S,,
! .JOUST WITH I
THE WORLD
(Copyrighs, 1soA. BY Daily story Pub. Co. J
~ HOMER STOUT

(CopyngAs, lsoA. BY Daily Story Pub. Coz
r SHE had dreamed the world was
so hard and pitiless she never would
have ventured from the shelter of the
& convent on her Quixotic mission. And
had she dreamed how hopeless her
mission was she would not have under
taken 1t. But then she was only II
and had grown up within the quiet
walls, under the eyes Of the good SIS
ters, ever watchful that no faint OF
worldliness penetrated the little domln-
Ion within their keeping.
Accident had thrown into her hands
information regarding the circum-
stances Of her advent to the convent
and the relationship between her par
ents which had led to her separation
from them.
It was only letter intended for 9TH
or eyes which had accidentally fallen
into her hands. 1t explained what had
puzzled her sorely for many years
why neither of her parents had ever
been to see her or had sent for her to
come to them. It told of blaze OF
Jealous anger on the part Of her moth
er. aroused by some incidents In the
husbands office, and naughty refusal
to explain on his part. 1t informed her
of the separation with agreement on
both sides that neither was to see the
daughter and to keep from her the
knowledge of their separation.
The fugitive letter explained, too. the
circumstances which had aroused the
mothers suspicion-a pure matter Of
business with client, the nature OF
which the husband could not in honor
divulge at the time.
Il will seek them out and reunite
them" she exclaimed, crushing the let
ter in her hand.
Then she had hastily made up a
package of a few things necessary for
. short journey, gotten all the money
she dared ask for on the pretense of
desiring to make a gift to some chart
table purpose, and quietly slipped
away. '.
The letter had mentioned the name
of a certain lawyer, Hiram Stapleton,
in the great city nearby, in whose
hands funds had been left for her care.
: She would 60 straight to him and, OF
course, he would know where her faith
er and mother WERE He would direct
her. The rest would be easy, she was
) sure
The ride to the city in the rushing
cars had been great delight to her.
She was bewildered and somewhat
4 frightened at the noise and rush and
crowds in the city, but chung bravely
!, to the address of Hiram Stapleton. The
Nelevator had startled her and the great
dMce with its clicking typewriters and
luxurious somber furnishings, and
mysterious private Offices and rows of
massive books and clerks and tele-
phones filed her with awe, but she
chung to her plan tenaciously.
When the boy brought, Hiram Staple
ton a. card upon which was written
mira Lansing" he looked puzzled,
then alarmed. ~.
"Send her in," he directed.
I So Marian Lansing was ushered into
the private office and told the stern
faced old lawyer of her plans and pur-
poses.
MY dear girl" he exclaimed in
alarm, when she had finished. 1T Is
impossible, worse than quixotic You
must not think of such a thing. The
sisters we're very careless to allow you
to leave. shall look into it. A young
girl like you to be travelling about the
country alone especially in the city
It 10 4scandalous. Let me see, how old
are you?"
Seventeen" she replied, with spirit
~Quite old enough to see my mother
and father and explain things to them.
Where are they? Oh, tell me where
they are?"
1T is impossible" replied the lawyer
again. ''The agreement was plain that
neither should see you until you were
p. am charged with your care, too
This is a very unhappy affair. You
must return to the convent at once
will go with you myself and take this
matter up with the mother superior.
Let me see. There is a train at 1870.
We have just time to catch it. You
must not do such an tndiscreet thing
again."
With her heart full of grief and an
ger, she accompanied him down the
elevator and into the carriage he sum-
moned. On the way to the depot she
recovered her possession and renewed
her resolution to reunite her parents.
She had made mistake and fallen into
the hands of the enemy. She must es-
cape and readjust her plans At the
depot the lawyer went to the ticket
window to purchase the tickets. Ap-
preciating her opportunity she darted
out Of the door and into an electric
street car about to start Looking
back she laughed to see Hiram Staple
ton rush out of the door of the station
and look wildly in every direction.
Realizing her ignorance of the city
she resolved to ask a policeman where
she could safely seek shelter for the
night. Realizing also the danger of
pursuit, she changed her name and in
vented q story about coming to the city