Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1904-10-13
"A MAIDEN'S
JOUST WITH ,
THE WORLD
loopyTisat, 10, y DAILY story Pa6. CO..
BY HorfER STOUT

nave ftukuAtA rum the nAt4Ati u INV
convent on her QHixetie mission. And
had she dreamed how hopeless 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-
ion 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
EMS which had led 10 her separation
from them.
II was only a letter intended for 9TH
er eyes which had accidentally fallen
into her hands. Il explained what had
puzzled her sorely for many years
why neither Of her parents had ever
been 70 see her or had sent for her to
come 70 them. II 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
TO explain on his part II 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 susplclon-a pure matter of |
business with client, the nature Of
which the husband could not in honor
divulge AZ the time.
Il will seek them out and reunite
them, she exclaimed, crushing the let
Ter in her hand
Then she had hastily made up a
package Of a few things necessary for
a short journey, gotten all the money
she dared ask for on the pretense OF
desiring to make a gift to some chart
table purpose, and quietly slipped
away
The letter had mentioned the name
OF d 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 I
course, he would know where her faith
er and mother were He would direct !
her. The rest would be easy, she was
sure.
The ride to the city In the rushing s
cars had been a great delight to her c
She was bewildered and somewhat
frightened at the noise and rush and S
crowds In the city, but chung bravely I
10 the address Of Hiram Stapleton. The 4
elevator had startled her and the great t
Office with its clicking typewriters and
luxurious somber furnishings and 7
mysterious private offices and rows Of
massive books ana clerks and tele- 4
phones filled her with awe, but she r
chung to her plan tenaciously T
When the boy brought Hiram staple \
ton a card upon which was written v
Mira Lansing he looked puzzled I
then alarmed. "
"Send her in" he directed. b
So Marian Lansing was ushered into u
the private office and told the stern
faced old lawyer Of her plans and pur- Il
poses le
My dear girl" he exclaimed in
alarm, when she had finished. at IS
impossible, worse than quixotic, You III
must not think Of such a thing. The e.
sisters were very careless to allow YOU m
10 leave. ! shall look into II. A young IL
girl Ike you TO be travelling about the te
country especially In the CITY M
Il Is scandalous. Let me see. how old 10
IRE you2" G.
Seventeen" she replied. with spirit W
Quite old enough 10 see my mother OIL
ma father and explain things TO them II
Where are they? Oh, tell me where
hey are?"
1T is impossible" replied the LAWYER ~
lgaiu. The agreement was plain that III
leither should see You until YOU were D.,
J. am charged with your care too ~
This Is a very unhappy affair. You III
must return 10 the convent al once
VII go with YOU myself and take this M
natter mp with the mother superior Ia
ct me see. There is a train At "a sh
Ne have just time to catch Fl yon To-
must not do such an indiscreet thing ms
gain"
With her heart fun Of grief and an Nj
or, she accompanied him down the m'
leyaior and into the carriage he sum. III
aoned, On the way 10 the denot she tn
covered her possession and renewed en-
er resolution TO reunite her parents TOT
he had made a mistake and fallen into Il
be hands OF the enemy. She must es- wa
ape and readjust her plans. At tbs he
epot the lawyer went 10 the ticks,
'indow 10 purchase the tickets An. the
reciating her opportunity she darted
III Of the door and into an electro Ma
ireet car about 70 start I.ootlno
aek she laughed 20 see Hiram Stanls- tin
m rush out Of the door OF the statie,
I'd look wildly in every direction. COZ
Realizing her ignorance Of the c,,, IT
be resolved to ask a policeman wbsr. gee
he could safely seek shelter for ne
.ght Realizing also the danger q, gaz
lrsuit she changed her name and In his
'nted a story about coming 10 the cJtv scr
seek employment She was directed "
very decent place. where LODGING "bu
as secured Tor a nominal prira srS the
zen she figured nur q nan -.---l sr,,