Middletown transcript., 1904-01-02
CHAPTER I.

where the ceiling siopeu, anu
81 the roof projected over the
windows and shut out the
April air, which was more redolent OF
London smoke than Of spring flowers, it
seemed full OF draughts. Custance had
risen several times to endeavor to shut
ont the east wind-first by hanging
shawl over the door, then by improyising
a screen round the bed where her mother
was fitfully sleeping. But in spite OF her
efforts the invalid shiyered in her Sleep
and the cold struck cruelty through the
girls threadbare black gown.
She was the only beautiful thing IN
that forlorn poverty-stricken room. Even
despair and absolute want could not dull
the gleam Of her hair, which was coiled
in soft masses round her head; no east
wind could chaie or redden her white
skin; and the pinch of hunger had not
vet drained the red from her soft mouth
or the purple color from her eyes. Gus
tance was emphatically lovely.
She sat with her round firm chin sup
ported in her hand, her eyes gazing
gloomily at the cupboard which she knew
to be absolutely empty. The girl and her
mother were miserabIy poor and had no
hope Of relief. The future rose me q
blank wall before Custance's despairing
young eyes, and she crouched Detore q
doom from which she saw no escape.
There was no food in the cupboard-she
had no money to buy any and the doctor
had said that not only was sustenance
necessary to the invalid, but that it must
be delicate and nourishing if she were to
last ever SO short time longer. Gus
tance knew that her mother must die
soon. but to see her starved out OF lie
was horrible.
She rose softly and went to the window.
The wretched street below her, teemlng
with the hideous side Of life. sickened
her. But anything was better than SIT
ting still with her own thoughts. Inc
people down there fought and stole their
right to exist, and filled the air with
curses and threats if anyone interfereo
with them. It was an old story to Gus
tance. She had grown used to it in the
twelve months during which she hao
existed in the neighborhood.
The girl was thankful for the shelter Of
the garret and shuddered to think how
SON even that would be denied her.
Sometimes, when she was most desperate
she almost hoped her mother might ole
before another week was over-betore the
rent which she could not pay again be-
came due. There was nothing she could
seIl-no work that she could do; she
dared not leave her mother lest, when
she returned, she should find her dead.
They had no friends and no one to help
them even out OF charity.
There was a shuf1ing sound on the
rickety stairs and then soft tap at the
door. Custance crossed the room noise
lessly and opened it, to find there Polly
the wretched little lodging-h house servant
I've brought yer up paper to look at,
miss, she said, in a rough whisper. lts
awful dull for you sitting ere hour after
hour.
Custance's 3 great hungry eyes filled with
sudden tears. It was not the inadequate
consolation offered her that touched the
girl, but the sympathy Of the only human
being in the universe who seemed to be
solicitous about her.
Thank you, Polly! she replied gently,
and with a sudden impulse she stopped
and kissed the girls dirty little face.
Run downstairs. dear, she added. Mrs.
Crumpet will not like your leaving the
kitchen, and you will get into trouble.
Polly, who was little more than 9
child, stared as if bewildered with the
honor which she had received, and then
shanibled downstairs. Custance, with
the paper in her hand, closed the door
and went back to her former position.
It was a dirty copy Of weekly journal
which concerned itself with the Careers
Of Great Men," amongst other matters.
Custance began, almost mechanically, to
read an article, but as the sense forced
itself on her brain, her lips curled with
bitter sense of envy and injustice. The
paragraph dealt with one Of the richest
men Of the day-a young man who had
been left, by his father, heritage Of
millions. He had not gained his fortune
by any endeavor Of his own.
Custance's eyes wandered towards the
bed where her mother lay dying OF want,
and then back to the print that stated
that this mans annual income amounted
to six figures, and bitter cry against the
Injustice rose to her lips. Mr.. Godfrey
standard-son of Mr.. John Standard, the
inventor Of a famous patent-was de.
scribed as the ''first philanthropist OF the
day.n MIR. Standard holds sacred trust
from his father to look into the claims Of
the poor and needy, stated the writer
cad hhaa ha gives away five hundred pounds
weekly to deserving cases.
The girl put down the paper, pushed
her hand through her thick hair, ano
looked towards the bed where her mother
Law moaning in her sleep. Then she
again took up the paper and caretuii,
noted Mr.. Standards official address
But it was growing dnsk outside, and i
would take her half an hour to wall
there. Her brain felt light and strange
for she had not had any food that day
She went to the narrow strip OF cracked
glass and arranged her hair before she
nut on an old battered sailor hat. She
had no jacket-that had been sold Ions
since-but she Strengthened her gown
and, having smoothed the bed-clothe'
and placed a glass Of water within heI
mothers reach, she went out OF the roou
and closed the door softly. She paused
In the passage to speak to Polly.
am going out, she explained, and
may be gone an hour and half. II yol
can find time, will You go up and see j
Al n.