The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1905-01-06

MS watch Elght-thlrty he eX-
claimed.
Don't go tonight; your business will
wait. We are going to have a fine time
tonight. New game on hand
Ben, flushed with wine, thought, Zone
night after five years won't make much
difference, suppose. There's q train to-
morrow morning at ten, and can go on
that"
Twelve saw them still at the table
One, two, and finally at four. Ben reached
his room. "I'll sleep, was all he thought.
He awokc from stupor at nine, and
teebly thinking how disagreeable it was
he had to dress, he at last arose. Then
he recollected the events of the night be-
fore, and at last thoroughly awake,
dressed quickly and reached the station
IN time to make the Southern Limited.
The day was clear and warm, the air
was soft, and all things seemed to be
alive to Natures touch
But as the train sped through the
fields and Numbered over the bridge, Ben
was not noting any of these things. He
was deeper down than his dream the
night before.
Ever since he had fingered after his de-
cision was made, feeling of apprehen
sion had surrounded him.
"Wish those fellows had not kept me-"
But. "You need not have stayed"
wonder why this freak has come over
me :"
He sat up. Ben Davis, you are GER
tainly i'll an uncommon mood these last
few days. Guess your conscience has be-
gun to hurt you He smiled grimly to
himself
perhaps" musingly perhaps it's
just my imagination, but I'd like to know
why feel so anxious. Guess l have been
SO mopy these few days that l am get
ting superstitious.
He looked out of the window just as
the train rushed by farm. A boy and
girl were running gaily through the
fields, pelting each other with flowers.
The car Numbered on past them, and
Ben looked out Of the window no more
that day.
At New Orleans, the depot swarmed
with people. The street was crowded.
and Ben jostled through the crowd, not
knowing where to go.
He remembered the address which Mr..
paII bod o;ro- I,;,,, TINT ~ MIC rabur'S
old home
Asking directions, he came to the street
and finally the number. A very faint
hope arose that Da might still be there;
she might come in answer to his ring.
An old negro stood in the door. Does
Miss Da Davis live here p
mo, sah"'
Mrs. Arthur used to live here did she
not?"
YES sab! 1t was heah heh husband
killed hisself sab, in de back pablo"
Can you tell me where Mrs. Arthur
moved when she left here"
NO sab, Miss Ann though, 'spect
she knows, walk in sab"
An old lady came in the room and gave
Ben a short account of the deaths of both
Mr.. and Mrs. Arthur.
She could tell him nothing of Miss
Davis, but she told him the street and
number to which Mrs Arthur had moved
after her husbands death.
Ben left the house and began to walk
/
in the direction she indicated. He noted
| that the streets got narrower and he re-
allied that it was poorer part of the
began to wonder which direction he
should take.
AS he walked slowly on a woman
brushed past him walking rapidly. Her
uncovered hair was all disordered, an old
tattered gingham dress being about her,
and her heavy coarse features indicated
her class. But an almost tender look
was on that face now and hid its usual
hungry. discontinued expression. Her
eyes were red and now the tears were
starting down her cheeks.
She nearcd an open door where group
OF unkempt children stood, and Ben could
see the questioning look on their faces.
She'll niver come agin, the blessed
angel, and Ben heard a sound of quick
sobbing as he walked past.
poor souls. Some one that has helped
them 1 suppose" he thought Then as he
glanced around, This city, New York,
all these cities, grown people, children in
in these filthy places. Poor devils!
What's going to be become of them ALL"
He was musing again.
An old negro was tottering down the
block. bent and crippled, he leaned on
cane stopping every little while to rest
on doorstep. Ben brushed past him as
he arose from one Of the steps and heard
him mutter, poor lii missy. Poor lii
missy
Uncle, can you tell me how to get to
No. 81 H street,
The old negro started" Oats where
she lib"
"Who?" Ben asked.
"Missy-our Missy dat takes-dat took
care of US pc folks. She'll never come
agin," and he sobbed anew.
What are you talking about, uncle"
Ben's heart had begun to beat fast.
"Who is Missy"
missy Da' we call her Ben grasped
his arm. Where is she. Tell me quick. "
"Who are you, sah?"
Tell me where she is, instantly. What
is it,"
"She's at de hospital, got hut wild a
cab sub"
"Where is she?" Ben almost shouted,
half dragging the old negro with him he
finally got a reasonably lucid idea of the
location of the hospital. The door opened
to his ring.
! Take me to Miss pqVis''