Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-02-26
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
Ole RED MOUSE
By
WILLIAM
HAMILTON
OSBORNE
888@88888888

his face was the dun flush that results
from the strain OF enthusiasm. Of over
work. lie looked tagged out. aud his
eyes were restless. though they glow
cd with Steadiness Of purpose. One
thing. however impressed her more
than anything e!se-his demeanor to
ward Broderick. There was within Il
not particle OF that confidential con
cession that Broderick seemed ever
ready 90 offer. on the contrary. It
suggested a suspicious watchfulness.
MurgaUoyd resemblcd a Jealous task
master who had set himself over
paid but uncertain servant
And Brodcrick-once did Frederick
turn his head So that Shirley might
see bis face. Broderick's face. glance.
his whole beinE, indicated the cunning
OF the man. He was trcachcry person
fled, 90 least SO he appeared 90 Shlr-
ley. and she told herself as she studied
him that any one could see that he was
hoodwiuking tho man opposite him
"NlurCatroyd was being fooled"
There WAS mo- doubt about &C. Murga
troyd's air Of fcvcrish eudcavor. Of ex-
penditurc OF energy. confirmed IT, with
Niriam's thousands hc had paid FOR
something chat had not been delivered
Brodcrics bad taken the moncy-every
dollar of it-of that Shirley was thor
ouEhIy convinced
After awhile feeling OF contempt
for his failure gave way Co a wave of
pity What right had she 10 judge
him at alls What manner OF woman
was she that she should set herself up
Co determine whether his lesson was
dcscrvcdly bitter or not and what
should bc his punishment Money So
got viii never do him any good" Mir
lam bad said after the scene in the
courtroom and how true her word,
had proved, And then iu turu Deer feel
Ing OF compassion was ~urcrcded by
one OF gladncsS. She was uut % little
surprised to Oh herself frrvcuuy wish
ing chat Frederick bad robbed him COZ
every dollar. but latter ou her cheeks
burned fur.uusly when un honest Boo
trospcctiou disclosed Co her the rca
motive OF This desire. For. after au.
what n Mur-atroyd would come 20 her
and say.
u have siuncd. and have lost BE
merCiful to mo. "a miserable sinner"
What n some day hc should come to
her free 81 al hypocrisy. stripped of
an save truth beaten man-w hat
thcut We'll shc fcit uuutcrabiy lone.
ly. she wanted to Doe loved. and. after
au. he had helped Der friend by set
ting hcr husband free
A few days later. dressed in light
mourning. Shirley BloodEood for the
second time in her life wendell her
way TO a certain tenement house not
for from the East river
surely cannot be mistakeu-this
must be the place" she told herself.
grooming Ia spirit
In reply 90 her inquiry FOR Mrs. Chal-
Toner little girl directed her 20 the
apartment above. the door OF which
was presently opened 10y a woman
with full rounded face. and. entering
neat well furnished i've room Tat.
Shirley was soon seated az the win
dow chatting with happy eageruess-
The young woman with the full.
fresh. rounded face. IL can readily toe
imagined. was Miriam Chailoner.
You've been away more than three
years, shirley" sighed Miriam as she
bent over a bit OF fancy work.
1T hasn't seemed so long 10 me-" re-
turned Shirley, though when we first
went west thought II would be
nothing short OF a nightmare wait
ing FOR an old man 70 die"
1T must have been" assented Mir
fam.
NO. It wasn't. because for the first
time IN my life l really came 20 know
my father. / thought / had known
him long before. but made mis-
take. never knew him until these
last three years In Arizona. found
out almost too late"
Il always liked your father. Shirley.
and / think be always liked me-" was
Miriam's remark.
Yes. he did. But did you ever stop
TO think" went on Shirley hastily
why. my father never wronged any
body. My father was gOod-my IA
ther was honest! Oh. could scourge
myself" she declared sadly, for the
things ] used to think about father.
even told Murgatroyd once that.
NnouSu lofcu NY AdiAeIs NOulQ
never admire him. respect him"
Miriam rose suddenly and kissed her.
All this time Shirley had been watch
ing with growing curiosity the fancy
work on which Miriam sewed so In
dustriously. At last she ventured:
Miriam, I'm regular old maid.
haven't been one hour in your house
and already I'm burning up with curios-
ity TO know just what you're makingT"
Miriam ChallOner hesitated for an
instant; then. holding up In the air a
tiny infants dress. she said softly:
"Well. If you must know. why. you
must"
Shirley exclaimed: Isn't IL dainty ?
Who is It for. Miriam?"
Miriam looked squarely into the
eyes OF her friend. The next moment
Shirley had her arms about Miriam
and cried jOyfuliy:
You precious thing, I'm so glad!
Why didn't you say so beforeT'
I'm Just a Bit Old fashioned, I'm