Middletown transcript., 1904-01-09
4. GREAT pHILANTHROPIST

Standard has large staff of secretaries
and clerks to manage the benevolent
funds and institutions which he has
Miss Madison; but the dubious
applications are always placed in my
husbands hands, because he is so pains
taking in investigating any claim make.
l am sure of that, agreed Custance,
smiling. My case was one in point, and
when l look back 1 can only marvel at
the generosity of which was recip.
lent. 1t seems to me like miracle.
1t is not SO very wonderful after all,
Richards replied. with his inscrutable
smile and comprehensive glance at his
wife. But just look at the clock! Eleven,
by Jove! Miss Madison, you are beguil-
ing US into quite dissipated habits. Good
night! l hope you will sleep well.
CHAPTER III
Custance spent the following day in
improving her hostess's acquaintance
while John Richards went to the Office.
There was one baby in the little home
to keep us young, and make us just a
little silly! Mary explained as she intro
duced it to Custance. 1t was tiny rosy
mite, with head as fluffy and yellow as
young chickens, and a pair of brown
eyes that smiled as sweetly as its damp
pink mouth.
Oh! Custance exclaimed, when its
mother carried it into the room during
the morning. Her exclamation was one
Of spontaneous pleasure, and she held out
her arms involuntariIy. Please let me
take it! Babies always like me-they
don't cry when l nurse them. Is it a
boy or girl?
A girl. must apologize for having
left you SO long to yourself, but is was on
her account. We have nurse, but like
to see something of my darling.
Oh, why didn't you bring her down
before? Custance asked, cooling over the
baby, who stretched out tiny hand to
clutch at her.
l did not know you liked babies, said
Mary quietly-and we never intrude our
little one on people unless they have a
pronounced taste that way. But l see
you are true nurse! she added, laugh
ing.
l am very fond Of little childrenl
All! l forgot-you were nursery gov
erness at one time, were you not? Mrs.
Richards inquired, with a thoughtful
glance at the girls beautiful face bent
over the child in her arms.
Yes-my pupils were two little boys
Of three and five-Tots and Rudy!
And you left there because Of the STEP
brother?
1t was through him that most of my
troubles came, declared the girl. He was
an awful mamie really was! as her host
ess smiled slightly. Oh, Mrs. Richards,
don't you think it is hard that women
who are trying to do their best and earn
their own living should be subject to the
unwelcome attentions of men who have
nothing better to do than amuse them
selves at their expense?
Very hard. Unfortunately it is often
the case that pretty girl has lot to
endure.
Most often! This man-his name was
Thorn Nugent-was Mrs. Bryden's step
son. He was very well off, for lie had
inherited an uncle's property whose name
he had also taken, and he had an estate
in Daleshire. About month after 1 be-
gan to teach Mrs. Bryden's little boys he
came to stay in the house, and from the
first he paid me attentions which not
only did not desire, but which positively
frightened me. 1t was not that he was
repulsive, or exactly ungentlemanly-
though he always behaved, to my mind,
as though I were very much his inferior
but he was so persistent. If 1 snubbed
him he only laughed, and he would way
lay me and force me to hear him. Oh, it
was horriblel But for my mother,
think that l should have rejoiced to leave
Mrs. Dryden.
Poor child What was lie like?
He possessed Satanic type of beauty,
being tall and very dark, although his
eyes we're curious light bluisIl-gray
color. He was supposed to be very
handsome, and OF course Mrs. Dryden
regarded him as irresistible and never
believed that had not been attracted by
him. She little knew how l had re-
pulsed his advancesl
Did he propose to you?
No-while was in his mothers house
he only made stupid but odious love to
me; but when 1 left, and he thought /
was less in his power, he seemed deter
mined to get definite hold over me. He
traced me to my next siuation, where l
was companion, and meeting me out, in
sisted on walking with me. Jennie. the
old servant, who i told you did not like
me, saw us on one occasion and concocted
various tales about me. After that I OBJ
tanned a place in shop, but again Mr..
Nugent discovered me, and I think must
have. silified me to the proprietor, for l
was dismissed.
The man must be fiendl
| used to think so sometimes, replied
Custance, with shudder. He had an
evil-looking face when he was angry-and
l generally make him so. However, let
us talk Of something else. Do you think
that Mr.. Richards will find anything for
me to do?
l am sure he will do his best, Mrs.
Richards declared-and Mr.. Standard
never failed to help genuine distress.
l have proved tlatl l still have some
of that fifty pounds left, but 1 did not
pay it back, as it was doubtful how long
it would be before 1 got work, and 1 re-
quired some respectable clothing. What
kind of man is Mr.. Standard?
He is quite young man-about thirty.
OH thought he was much older; but
suppose it was his father who made the