The San Francisco call., 1905-04-09
AN ANGEL
UNAW ARES
By KATE N. CLEHRY.
HE April downpour was at it's
fiercest when the knock came to
the kitchen door. 1t was a timid

4 ,,
| agination might have played her a
+, trick 1t came again-low, entreating.
( The girl crossed to the door and
opened it.
Good land," she cried. Come in!
You poor little soul, whoever you are,
come inl" And out of the binding
rain she caught the little black, shrink
ing figure and whiried 1t into the
warmth and spicy scent of the big
kitchen.
1 She stood and looked at her unex-
| pected visitor, her gaze a curious
blending Of amazement and compass
sion. Such a frail, old figure of a
woman. The plain black cashmere
gown, the thin shawl, the close little
bonnet, all were dripping rain. from
the stiff jet spirals ornamenting the
bonnet to the hem of the poor skirt.
And the face that looked up at Nan.
dumb and beseeching, was childishly
pathetic in it's .wistfulness. The woman
held worn bag clutched in one hand.
Il" faltered the stranger deprecat-
ingly, Il got caught in the rain."
| Nan threw back her head and
| laughed giriish laugh, crisp and in
fectious, and the shriveled countenance
of the intruder relaxed into a smile.
| Pardon me-" cried Nan, controlling
herself. Only it was so evident you
had not been under shelter the last
hour that l couldn't help laughing
Here, sit down in this rocker near the
stove." She deftly unpinned the soak
Iling shawl and removed the pulpy bon
net. Dear, dear," she exclaimed,
you've no rubbers on. And your feet
are dripping! You're just bundle Of
wetness. Whatever will 1 do with
you ?"
She spoke with the air. of solicitude
she might have used toward a child.
Nan was only II, but she had many
burdens on her shoulders, and she bore
them with courage. A year ago when
she had graduated from the high
school, the hope that she might go
to college was strong within her. But
her aunt and cousin had condemned
her desire and derided her ambition.
There was no money to spare for such
foolishnessi There was work to be
done at home.
The latter fact the girl was given no
opportunity to doubt. The maid of all
work had been dismissed the week of
her graduation, and Nan had been in
stalled in her place. And silently, but
with fierce inward rebellion. she ac-
cepted her duties. But her father had
been a man of letters, and a professor
in a university, and she had inherited
his love of learning. So 1T was with
heavy heart she saw the days Slip
ping by and with them the time she
would fain have given to the acquire
ment of further knowledge. To-day
many hidden tasks still remained TO be
accomplished. and here was this for
lorns creature on her hands.
I'm sure I'm sorry to be making
you trouble, my dear piped up the
plaintive old voice. IF when after I'm
rested bit you'll be telling me my
direction. I'll be moving on
But suddenly she went ghastly white.
She caught her hand sharply to her
side, and her lips turned blue
Here" cried Nan, take this." She
had gone for a stimulant, and was
back, holding it pressed 10 the twitch-
ing mouth. The old woman swallowed
.the liquor. and tried to RISE
sit still" commanded Nan. You're
i'll; you mustn't stir"
Nan stood before her. tall and slen-
der in her blue cotton gown, with a big
white apron belted in at her waist.
The pure pallor of her skin was ac-
cented by the blackness OF her brows
and lashes-- Her gray eyes were wide
with perplexity.
Wait a minute!" she ordered. and
went flashing up the back stairs She
reappeared with load of garments
over her arm. You're such a mite of
thing the clothes that I've outgrown
will At you," she said .Your bag?
Here it is-safe behind you! There"
She worked rapidly as she talked
Now you're dry and comfortable any
how, II you do look funny
The old woman smiled up at her
gratefully. She did look funny in the
schoolgirl gown of red. But the color
had come into her cheeks, and her
chilled feet were growing warm in the
dry stockings and slippers
Now, I'll make you some tea and
toast, declared Nan. hanging the wet
clothes to dry And then 1 must get
back to-good gracious, my cake is
burning"
She was on her knees in a. minute
and had snatched the oven door wide
open. A smoking, blackened mound
confronted her. And, as i'll luck would
have it. at that very moment Helena
Burnet. her cousin, and mistress of the
house owing to the invalidism of Mrs
Burnet. came sailing into the kitchen
What's this?" she cried sharply She
was in street attire. but had been well
protected from the storm. Your cake
ruined. And that-who is that per-
SON..
Her cheeks scarlet from embarrass-
ment and the heat of the oven, Nan
was hastily removing the cake.
She's an old lady who got caught in
the shower" the girl explained ner-
vously. Did Aunt Ellen come, Hell
ena?"
No, she didn't" snapped Helena
I've waited in that draughty depot
until am nearly sick. l suppose you
made that chicken broth the way
mother says she used to like it?'
Yes. and the little honey hearts.
too
You've got the spare room all
ready. 1 dare say"
Yes. It's clean. and lit the fire