The Aberdeen Democrat. (Aberdeen, South Dakota) 1???-1909, 1904-06-10
A MAIDEN'S
j JOUST WITH ,
THE WORLD
BY HOMER STOUT
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Col

80 nv NiAoSa @@Ne
had she dreamed how ithoheless her
mission was she would not have under
taken it. But then she. was only II
and had grown up within the quiet
walls, under the eyes of the good sis
tiers, ever watchful that no faint OF
worldliness penetrated the little domin-
&on 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. ..
1t was only a letter intended for 9TH
er 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. 1t told Of a blaze of
Jealous anger On the part Of her moth
,er, aroused by some incidents in the
Husbands Office, and a naughty refusal
10 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 q client, the nature of
which the husband could not in honor
divulge at the time.
al will seek them out and reunite
them" she exclaimed, crushing the let
ter in her hand.
Then she had hastily made up q
package of a few things necessary for
a short journey, gotten all the money
she dared ask for IN the p%retense 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 go 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.
HT# y hC w LuC Slty III II uSuilS
cars had been a great delight to her.
She was bewildered and somewhat
frightened at the noise and rush and
crowds in the city, but chung bravely
TO the address of Hiram Stapleton. The
elevator had startled her and the great
office 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
Glung 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.
So Marian Lansing was ushered into
che 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. "it 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
1t is scandalous. 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
a 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 4:3o.
We have Just time to catch it. You
must not do such an indiscreet thing
again"
With her heart full Of grief and an
ger, she accompanied him down the
elevator and into the carriage he sum
rnoned. On the way to the depot she
recovered her possession and renewed
her resolution to reunite her parents.
She had made q mistake and fallen into
Che 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
q rush out of the door Of the station
ana look wildly In every direction.
Realizing her ignorance of the city
she resolved to ask 4 policeman where
she could safely seek shelter for the
might Realizing also the danger of
pursuit. she changed her name and IN
vented 9 story about coming To- the city
70 seek employment. She was directed
70 very decent place. where lodging
was secured for nominal price and
Then she figured out new campaign,
She knew thas suburb where her parents
Aaaad formerly lived Thither me- wen
n the following dry and found the olt
remembered 1t was inaahit
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