The Opelousas courier., 1904-01-09

Snail we meet again, MISS Kay {
vas the question he put to her.
He was tenacious, and no amount o
croWding in the han could prevent hin
from putting his plea.
eyes, indeed, MI. Mason" replied thu
CHEEKY tones of the uncle, who hat
overheard 1t. Come and see us, ant
here is my card to direct you. NADIA
line is at home Tuesdays and Thurs
days."
Thanks, uncle; but you will permit
me to correct you. I ami at home every
day for the next week, at uncle's, Mr.
Mason, and will be glad to see you
After that I shall be away a while"
"Pray, where, Madaline?" her I'M
Gle asked.
"On my way to Cuba, uncle, to see
how far right Mr.. Starr was in his
statement tonight"
Mr.. Ray was evidently alarmed and
annoyed, and it was a relief to him to
hear that the coachman awaited with
out.
Four days later Sidney Mason called
at Mr.. Rays residence, and learned,
to his great surprise and regret, that
Miss Ray had gone South on business.
" = y y u
Four years have passed, and down
Broadway one bleak, wintry morning
a sweet-faced woman passes swiftly,
looking intently for a number she can
not discover. Her dress is simple, but
rich, and there is an air of p%reoccupa-
ton about her that cannot be mistak-
en-. She is a business woman intent
on business, and her absorption in her
own thoughts leaves her no time to
notice others. Finally she discovers
her desired number, and enters a large
building.
MAY I ask IL MI. Hartly-William
Hartly-is not indebted to this house?'
she asks, modestly, yet with an air Of
confidence that secures her recogni-
ton promptly.
eyes, madam" says a clerk to her.
"Will you tell me how much?"
"Not unless we can be assured it is
your business to know. Are you any
relatiye?"
"No, sir; but I pray you tell me what
he owes here. I assure you the infor-
nation is desired from a right mo-
tive"
"If Mr.. Mason consents, madam, I
a tell you," and directing his steps
to a high desk on the other side Of the
building, he addresses a gentleman,
who returns with him.
"My Grand is perhaps a singular
one, SIR" she said to him, "but To- is
O explained. Mr.. Hartly once did
a loved n a great service. I desire
to return the kindness, and learning
from an acquaintance. who knows his
business affairs, that he is embar-
tpssed, I determined in my humble
why, to help him. Will you let me?"
Alhe sweet face acted like a spell on
hel listener. He stood looking into
herr face, and then glancing out Of the
dooI, certainly not h~esitating, but
SEEM ngly perplexed and lost in his
own musings.
"OhEl yes, certainly; excuse me-" he
said, with an awkward effort at apol-
ogy. u was trying to think. But
about MI. Hartly-do you tell me he is
embarrassed in financial matters?"
II am not authorized to speak for
him, sir. Tgdeed, 1t may be very wrong
for me to eeme here for the purpose /
have, but Ilavant to help him. ard now
is the time pr me to do SO. I have not
been circumitanced SO that / could be.
fore"
"Then I viii reduce his account one
half, and giyfyou a receipt for the en-
tire amount. win that be acceptable,
MADAME"
She looked uiointo his face, smiling,
and then shook ler head.
"Can I not paal the bill, and have the
in fulla It will be a nice
Thanksgiving p1ssent for him."
She was PERSISTENT, but the gentle
hesitated. We evidently did not
want to take hisegisitor's money, yet
she was ready tonlircumvent any eff
fort he made to avid the issue.
"Give the lady a Aceipt. for William
Hartly's account, Ma Myers, and re-
ceive from her fortSf Eollars," he said
to the clerk. Now blll that not do?'
was his inquiry of hill guest.
THANK you, kind Sd but I do not
wish you to lose by tFV operation. 1
ready to pay the III, which is, 1
understand, about doub,s the amount
you name"
II am willing to settle aahe matter as
have said, and hope Mi Hartly will
appreciate your act" fE
'Oh, sir, you have givenl ne only half
an opportunity to return noble deed
performed by him years Sgo for one
Iong since dead"
''For whom did he perform it, miss2''
'.F'or my mother" she said, looking !
it him through her tears.
The clerk interrupted he11to ask her
1er name. i.
"Will you promise met said she,
again to the head of the house,
that he shall not know it,"
II do" was his answer.
"Madaline Ray is my name"
Sand nov / know you, Miss Ray-I
I'm sure you r the same. + knew
voice and face from the first.
lave you forgotten an acquaintance
i one evening, and that four years
lgo-Sidney Mason. whom you met ait
Yrs. Grey's with Philip starrf' g
mo, indeed, Mr.. Mason, / have not
orgotten you" And right gladly she
extended her hand to him again.
when you put out your hand to me
ust now it recalled a memory that was
IlWays very pleasant to me; but I