The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-03-06

taken a whole two years of saving and
scraping of actual halfpence to accom-
plish, and now that she was here, face to
face with her brother, the strain and the
shock Of the urimagined tragedy was al
most more than she could endure. She had
eaten nothing all day since she had left
London and she was faint with hunger.
and these pitiful figures OF wretched
humanity, watched by stern warders in
uniform, touched her suddenly with a sense
of despair. The tears rolled down her face
and made it impossible for her to see any
thing beyond a binding, dancing mist, and
sobs were becoming quite uncomfortable,
and that she the verge of an at
tack of hysterical crying, of which she
was bitterly ashamed. 1t was useless to pre-
tend-useless to attempt control-and she
flung herself face downwards upon the mar
row wooden table at her side, and cried
as if her heart would break.
Sir Anthony Garstine fidgeted in his chair,
cursed his impetuous folly in pursuing a
pretty face. and finally. his manhood inter-
vening, rose and came where his in
visible neighbor sat. He could see her
slim shoulders in their black gown heaving
under the pitiful sobs, he could see the
crown of bright chestnut hair coiled low
on her white neck, and he longed TO COM
fort her, but manllke, he was powerless.
please don't cry" he said at last. ''Oh.
believe me, there is no sorrow in the world
worth all those tears, for there is no
trouble that cannot be alleviated.'
Her sobs were checked for an instant.
and he added. hastily:
'You must let me help you. / know what
trouble is-worse sorrow. perhaps. than
you have ever known.
At the sound of his kind. troubled voice.
Esther lifted her head, and he could see
her eyes, blue as violets washed in dew,
shining through her tears. And he asked
himself, was there ever such a face so
delicate in its oval before or lashes so long
and so black? He looked at her. asked him
self the question. and straightway knew
that for the first time in his fashionable,
skeptical life he had fallen in love with
this pitiful child, with the innocent, lovely
face and the manner of frightened dignity
that sat so prettily upon her.
II shall be better soon," she said, land
then will tell you what is the matter for
you must think am very stupid
Garstine turned away and busted himself
in preparing the tea, clumsily enough, that
the girl had just brought in, while Esther
moved round TO shield her face from the
servants inquiring gaze.
Now you must have some tea he said,
cheerfully, when they were alone again,
land you won't mind helping me with this,
because otherwise l should be so lonely"
There was something indefinable in his
manner that put Esther completely at her
ease; it was so entirely full of respect and
yet at the same time so friendly that her
sore heart began TO take comfort. 1t was
a pleasant little tea-party, although her
eyes did wander towards the window now
and again, and her under-lip quivered like
a child's. When he had made pretense
at discussing the strong tea and the bread
and jam, Garstine said, gently:
land now tell me how l can help you"
She looked across at him and read Moth
ing but reverent kindness in his eyes.
mo one can help me- she said my
only brother isis shut up here in prison.
He and 1 lived together till-till two years
ago, when this terrible thing happened.
and 1 know he will be half mad with fear
as to what has happened to me. There
were only the two of US. and my father
and mother are dead
Bit by bit Garstine drew the story of her
simple life from her-from the day when
they had lived in their country rectory at
home, till the day when they had to face
the world together penniless, with the boy
as bread-winner.
He was only twenty-five said Esther,
brokenly, land l was five years younger.
and he got work to do; but l do not know
how it happened, only we had some debts,
for L had a bad illness. and he-he altered
the figures on a check that had been care
Iessly written-and he was tried and con-
victed. He meant to pay it back again-he
told me so-and / think they might have
taken that into account-but his employer
was a stern man
What was his name?" said Garstine,
slowly.
Prone Melhuish. / am Esther Mel
huish," said the girl. simply.
sudden wave of faintness seemed TO
swim before Garstine's eyes, and he reeled
with the shock of the thing. for he had been
the prosecutor In the case against Frome
Melhuish. who had been a clerk in the
private banking concern of which he was
the head Through the mist that lowered
before him he saw Esthers bent. golden
head. and heard her gentle voice speaking
to him., Then he realized suddenly that
he must not bertay himself, and mastered
his voice with an effort.
How have you lived since then. poor
child?" he said hastily.
Sometimes / have starved Esther re-
turned. simply But now | have got some
children to teach, and L can manage 10
live. for | am earning a pound week.
Garstine put his hand TO his head with
a bewildered gesture. He had given nifty
pounds for a fur coat week ago, and II
had TO keep this girl for year
What is your name?" she said at last,
with a sudden glance at his face that was