The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1904-06-18

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fused to help her. Her soul rose in re-
volt against him. Then she thought OF
the future. A great terror seized her
as she thought Of returning TO the con,
vent. She knew she was disgraced for.
ever in the eyes of the sisters and she
knew the many ways she would be
made to feel their d~ispleasure. So she
drifted along for a few days, not know
ing what to do, Then she realized with
a shock that her money was almost eX-
hausted. She thought Of going to Sta
pleton and throwing herself upon his
mercy, But her pride and hatred dis.
missed the idea at once. No, she would
work and carr her own living first.
She started out to seek work. in the
stores where she saw many girls en-
ployed, in offices, in binderies and fac
tories-but she had no skilled labor ia
offer and was turned away until her
heart was as sore as her feet. The days
passed and the bottom Of her purse was
reached. Then came an icy atmos,
phere at her boarding house and she
realized the bitter fact that the world
has no use for the person without
money. Frightened, desolate and des-
perate, she staggered out for a final
trial, If she failed--why there was the
river as a last resort.
But 1t is always darkest just before
dawn and the tide turned on this dark
est day of her life. She happened into
a big insurance office, where extra help
was needed to address circulars, and
she was engaged temporarily.
The manager noticed her and was
impressed by her refined face and man
ners and after the extra work was out
OF t'e way she was transferred to a
regular department and put on the pay
roll.
These were the happ!est days she
had ever known. Small as 10" wages
were they sufflced for her needs and
she was absolutely Independent and
mistress of herself. But there is nc
rose without a thorn and soon Marian
found herself the object of most m
barrassing attentions from the mana
ger Of the department. AS. they grew
to be intolerable she found rescue from
an unexpected quarter. Tom Wilson,
a sub-boOkkeeper, observed the mana
gers attentions one afternoon and fol-
lowed Marian out into the hall, where
he hailed her.
Il beg your pardon" said he, but |
can see that you are a country girl and
not used to city ways; therefore | take
the liberty to say to you that the less
you have to do with Hyde the better
it will be for you. say this because
| have a sister myself and | would
deem 1t a particularly friendly act il
some fellow would give her a tip in a
case like this"
Marian flushed scarlet. Thank you,
sir" she said. II have tried every way
to avoid him, but | cannot" Her eyes
filled with tears and Tom noticed then
that they were uncommon fine eyes.
"Ill see that he does not annoy you
further" he said.
He was as good as his word. One
interview with Hyde sufficed and Ma
rian was left in peace. In this way a
friendship began between Wilson and
Marian, which resulted In something
warmer, and in the springtime, when
Tom told her the old, old story, she
was glad to lay her tired head on his
broad shoulder and let him assume all
the responsibility and care.
And a new nest was built in a quiet
little flat and Marian sang all the day
long.
In the meantime, Hiram Stapleton
had narrowly escaped apoplexy. After
exhaustlng all the machinery Of the
modern detective agency he was finally
forced to admit his defeat and reported
to his joint clients that their daughter
had escaped from the convent and was
lost in the great city, Post haste came
Gilbert Lansing from abroad and his
wife from the south. Forgetting their
differences, they Joined hands to find
the missing girl.
One evening Tom Wilson burst into
his modest fat, blazing with excite
ment.
Look at this" he exclaimed, point
ing to his newspaper. What does II
mean?"
Sure enough there was an advertise
ment for Marian Lansing signed by her
fathers name. Then for the first time
she told Tom the story of her life, and
together they went to the, great hotel
mentioned in the advertisement.
There they found Gilbert Lansing
Marian refused 10 speak until her
mother was also present. whereupop
the mother a sent for. Then she told
the story Of the letter and her quest,
with a tear-emphasized appeal
for her parents to forget and forgive
appeal so eloquent that before It
was fairly ended Mrs, Lansing was In
her husbands arms,
And who is this young man?" asked
the latter.
THAT, Oh, that is Tom" replied
Marian.
TOM" repeated Mr.. Lansing, knit
his brows, tom who?"
tom Wilson, my husband, Of
replied Marian, flushing,
There isn't any other Tom, you
Some months later Tom Wilson
gazed refectively out Of the window OF
his luxurious office in a great sky
and pinched his leg ylciously.
Ouch. Yes. | am awake" said he,
but I'll be jiggered, II it don't beat
the Arabian Nights. Here | am, a poor
devil Of a bookkeeper at $50 per month.
get stuck on a dear little copyfst and
her, wondering all the time how
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