The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-09

the girl was right. But the details were still as repugnart as ever to her; concentrating her mind on the point where she felt the ground firm under her. she made her objection:
 But stephen dear. there are so many cases that are sordid and painful.'
 The more need to know of sordid things; If sordidness plays so import iivest"
 But there are cases which are not within woman's, girls province Caees that touch sin.
 What kind of sin do you mean7 Surely all wrongdoing is sinl" The old lady was quite embarrassed. Not by the fact. for she had been for too many years the mistress of a great house. hold not 10 know sGmething of the subject on which she spoke. but that she had to speak of such matter to the young girl whom she so loved.
 The sin. my dear, of. !. of woman's wrongdoing.. as woman ..- of moth. erhood. without marriase!' All stephen,s nature seemed to raise in revolt.
 Why. Auntie,c she spoke out at once. you yourself show the want of the experience look for!'
 "wowf what?" asked the old lady amazed and bristling. stephen took her hand and held it affectionately as she spoke:
 You speak of a woman's wrong doing, when surely it is a mans AS well. There does not seem to he blame for him who is the more guilty only for poor women!. And, Auntie dear, it is such poor women that I should like to help. Not when it is too late. but beforei But how can l help unless I know? Good girls can not tell me. and good women won't You yourself. Auntie, didn't want to speak on the subject: even to me!'
 But, my dear child. these are not things for unmarried women. I never speak of them myself except with mat rons' Stephens answer flashed out like, sword; and cut like one
 And yet you are unmarried! Oh, Auntie dear. I did not and do not mean to be offensive, or to hurt you In any way. know. dear, your good ness and your kindness to- all: But you limit yourself to one side" Theel- der lady. interrupted:
 How do you mean7 one eide! which sideg' E
 "The punishment side. want to know something of the beginnings of things. There surely IS some cross ! road in a girls life where the ways 1 part. I want to stand there if I can. with warning in one hand and help in | the other. Oh! Auntie. Auntie, can't i you see that my heart is in this. I These are our people: Daddy says they are to be my people; and want | to know their lives right through; to understand their wants, and their | temptations, and their weakness | read from cover to cover | the book of their lives. Bad and good whatever 1t be, I must know 1t all! l must know 1t all; or shall be work l ing in the dark. and may injure or | crush where had looked to help ana | raise" . As she spoke she looked glorified l The afternoon autumn sun shone tul through the great window and lighted | her up till she looked like a spirN 1 Lighted her white diaphanous dress | til 1t seemed to take shape as an
 ethereal robe: lighted her red han
 till it looked like a celestial crown | lighted her great dark eyes till theli
 black beauty became swept in the tide
 of glory.
 The heart of the old woman who
 loved her best heaved, and her bosom l sweIied with pride. Instinctively sne
 spoke:
 1 'oh, you noble. beautiful creature ] Of course you are right. and your way