Middletown transcript., 1904-01-09
rooNrrNuEp FROM LAST WEEK.


face and brown eyes. She had plenty oil
common sense, as the girl soon discov-
cred. and from what she afterwards
learned she was surprised to find how
seldom John Richards or his vile was
victimised, despite their readiness 70 MS
ten to appeals for help.
NY husband has been telling me aoons
you, Mrs. Richards began, as she he'u
out her hand to Custance. You are going
to stay with us until Mr.. Standard de-
cides what you can dds that it?
Oh, if you will allow me! the girl ex-
claimed, in intense relief. But may not
tell YOU all about myself? Do let me, for
I feel as if cannot accept your hospital
ity until you know something of me.
Presently will dove will have our
dinner first, replied Mrs. Richards. Come
along, and will show you your room'
It seemed like dream to Custance
when her hostess left her in the little
room where she was to sleep. 1t was a
very unpretentious apartment, but the
ordinary comforts of life were luxuries to
Custance after her experience OF Brooke's
Court. She gave sigh OF pleasure as
she touched the clean sheets and white
hangings and examined the china on the
wash.stand with an almost childish de-
light.
They are really good people! she muir
INJURED, her thoughts reverting to her most
and hostess. They almost give me back
nv trust in human nature. shall never
be able to repay them-no, nor Godfrey
Standard either! ;,
Custance waited with impatience until
the cloth was cleared, and the servant
had Withdrawn. Then her hostess turned
to her.
Now. Miss Madison, you may contide
in US, she remarked.
NV father was curate Of st. Swithin's
in Daleshire, ,Custance began, without any
nreamble. He died three months before
nv birth, leaving my mother as badly
off as most clergymen's widows. She
had been governess in the Rector's lam
ily, and when she had to support herseli
she tried to keep little school. All the
education had came from her. When
was about fifteen assisted her with the
nupils. and we were always able to sup
mort ourselves until about five years later
her health broke down. Then things
went from bad to worse. ! could not
keep the school alone aud give mother
the nursing and attention which she re-
quired, and with the spread OF educatioh
fresh academies had sprung up around u.s.
and We lost our scholars. At last we
found that we could not live in st. Swith-
in's any longer, and we came to London
in the hope Of my getting something 70
do.
Had you friends here?
No: but several introductions we're
given me. I obtained many situations
during the first eighteen months.
But did not keep them?
I could not-the blood rose to Gus
tance's face, but she looked at her frlends
frankly, with clear honest eyes-l THINK
I was most unfortunate. In one family
there was step-son-a man who was
MANY years older than the young chill
dren who were my pupiis-and he paio
me most unwelcome attentions. OF course
7 had all the blame laid on me-and the
little bitter smile came back to her lips
as she spoke. In another family there
was an old servant who took dislike to
me, and, through her influence, believe
I was dismissed. From one cause or an
other l could never keep situation, al
though 1 assure you did my best. At
last my mothers health became 50 un-
certain that l endeavored to get work
that could do at home. l have tried
copying, needle-work, and designing
Christmas cards. 1t was the old story OF
a girl trying to fight her way. We sank
down, down, and had to watch my
mother dying before my eyes and suffer-
ing from privations which | could not
avert. The last stage landed us in Brooke's
Court, where we had an attic at the top
of a lodging-house. We were literally
starving when went to Mr.. Standards
office and first saw your husband.
Have you no relations? Mrs. Richards
asked gently.
Very few. My mother was an only
child, and my fathers people are them
selves too poor to help me. l am singu-
larly alone in the world. But you can
verify everything I have told you by
writing to the Rector of st. Swithin's, or
to some of the people from whom have
had employment.
John Richards smiled.
1 am afraid you have had bitter ex-
perience, Miss Madison. to make you 80
expectant Of being disbelieved, he re-
marked. Suppose I now tell you my
story. 1t can only be briefly, for we are
early people, and time is getting on; but
it will show ycu why I was SO willing to
listen to you, and why asserted that
Godfrey Standard has saved more than
you from despair.
am the son of Manchester manu-
facturer, who, to be brief, failed. That
caused me to be thrown on my own re-
sources, and, like you, came to London,
expecting to make my way. l had no
introductions, as you had, and after strug-
Cling and almost starving for six months,
I decided to end my life. 1 was leaning
against one of the buttresses of bridge,
looking out for an opportunity to jump
over without the chance of being rescued,
when a gentleman who was passing
paused and laid his hand on my shoul-
der. That man was Godfrey Standard.
He was quite young fellow them
many years my iunior-but from that
hour to this I have had reason to bless
his generosity. My attitude had ar
rested his attention. and with character
istic impetuosity he had guessed my in
tention and-saved me. A year later /