The San Francisco call., 1906-09-09

living behind the slim. black windows
OF those sullen walls. cut off from God S
sun. sky and blessed green; and some
times when a file of men trailed across
the lawn. like some hideously striped
snake, the girl. shuddering. clasped the
gold crucifix which would hold her and
those she loved from harm.
Surely the blessing which that very
holy man once laid upon ii had re-
1nained with her. softening the turbu-
lence and sorrow of her life into these
long summer days OF serenity and
sweet quiet But once when she had
walked out. leaving the crucifi1 at
home, strange woman sprang out
upon her with curse and, dashing
some pungent liquid in her face, left
her blinded. Aiva groped homeward
70 the affrighted sisters, and for many
days thereafter she wandered fretfully
about in n black room with bandaged.
aching eyes. Then came breathless
nights when the sisters led her forth
each evening TO tho bench behind the
lllacs, where she would sit till bed
time, the leaves rustling overhead, the
cool, odorous air on her face, alone
with the tranquility of the summe:
gloom.
sitting thus. her teased mind re
hearsed hungrily each detail OF the
scene-the rambling. ivy-clad house
with its tiny panes. Dutch shutters and
double gable surmounted by sold
cross: the brick walls, the scattered
overgrowth Of flowers, the rugged
walks shutting out all else save the
long stretch OF irrnsularly piled planks
ir the lumber yard opposite. Then
she would listen TO the city's turmoil
and picture dark ways haunted by
vague shapes OF evil, or recall her own
strange clash with that outer woric.
10 wonder afresh at the woman sud :
der cruelty. Would IL have happened.
had Alva worn the, gold crucifx that
6ev? Perhaps not. Who could tell!
One night there woke TO her eager
ear above the nervous rustling OF
leaves the click OF hurried steps out
side the wall. confused scramble. 4
heavy drop. then silence. broken oniy
by the quick hoarse heevings or ex-
haustion Gradually the sound SUD
sided and instead there WOKE wary
footsteps stealing to right. TO left. and
now toward where she sat in the
shadow of the lilacs.
Alva elasped the gold crucihx and
had 40 fear.
.who is it?' she asked. Abruptly
the steps ceased Il cannot see she
Should you be here?'
There was silence. then voice SAID
softly:
"Its poor man who's go; no place
to sleep"
All" she hreathed. with swift pity
She had always pictured poor men as
old and feeble. This voice was curE-
ously fresh. with the full ring or
youth. But you must so. This is the
Home of Our Lady OF Refuge" Yet.
even as she spoke. the phrase ''of
refuge" stung her with ironicai re-
proaeh.
"A home." sneered the Voice. ''SAa
here. I haven't a cent. not a friend; /;
I'm wet through; I'm played out: IN
desperate. IL you give me up
The Voice ceased liz abrupt menace.
The girl, half realizing its words,
trembled at it's bitter detance.
But the Sisters will find YOU. sne
faltered And what can ] say II they
ask me-
You've seen nothing" insisted the
Voice. 'Tll sleep in the bushes ana oe
gone tomorrow. Remember
Hush she whispered feartuiIy
they are comingr' Then steps re-
sounded on the brick walk and other
steps crept softly away, and AIva was