The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-07-30
Paul Conover's Angel
BY GERALD PRIME.

Commencement Still in academic cap
and gown. Paul Conover sat pensive and alone. In
the little dormitory quarters which had sheltered him
Tor the past four years The roll of parchment which
empowered him to write the A. B. after his
name rested on the table before him
there were few evidences of comfortable living
ABOUT the place The plain furniture supplied by
,ne college authorities could be made attractive only
by effective draperies. and they were wanting. An
bno suui looking couch table strewn with text
BOOKS and lesson papers, two chairs-there little
But 1t had been home to Paul conover and he had
no otner When he had matriculated four be-
Iore. ne had In his possession of money that
to his classmates through a single semester. 1t had
neen ms sole inheritance from his fathers estate and
be used as 1t had been
The s newly made A. B. put his hand in his pocket
1t was without further reckoning. for watched
IT r awinde day after day with interest that took
week He had In cash precisely 81 cents-a bright
quarter and dingy pennies Besides his diploma
his scant wardrobe and fewer personal belongings
than are the property OF most college men, this
mainder of II cents represented his entire available
assets.
An? No. there something He had been
appointed to the Simeon Goodboy fellowship. and the
annual stipend amounted to s65oBo This however.
would not be available for four months Then 1t
CURED TO him whit sudden disgust that old Simeon
Goodboy had shackied his foundation with an absurd
IN no other occupation pain OF instant forfeiture.
Paui burst into loud guffaw at thought of 1t, bus
1t was gunaw without merrment
So it seemed to old Aileen. the dormitory scrub-
woman; who was making her final round of the halls
the ring OF it, and she halted Pauls door tell
him ,,n so
little she sus seoared Mr not % . ahs
laugh of man that has finished his job"
you've finished yours Aiieen for the year. and
don't hear you laughing" said Paul loosely. You
ought 11 to be feeling especially jolly"
turned promptly. Neither would you IL you hadn't
been able to lay by your work was over for
the summer"
Can't you get other work."
Il could. Mr. Conover but I agreed to take no
other jobs while held this one"
At this Paul broke into laugh genuine that old
Aieen could find no fault with it. It like ths
moved by a sudden whimsical inspiration. ne told
her the whole story and d not fail to call attention
to their similar pights. The old appreciated
him in his estimate of the Assurances those who
impose impracticabe conditions
What are you going to dot" she asked when he
Look for something tod o." ne replied cheers
No" she said. shaking her head decidedly ana
looking almost fierce in her disapproval Don't you
every day. When you get one. you ought TO hang
on to it, Don't you do lick to spoil that fellow
An rish.. then. m settle down and live on my
prtncipa-27 cents" he laughed.
Can't you borrow a little?" she suggested
I haven't friend In the world but you" he de-
she said feeiingly ~ -
IF wishes was fishes how full the sead be-" she
observed pertinenty NO. han't got the money. but
ship fellows hear Of getting any outside job
TIL try to keep close" he promised, with a wise
See that you do" she warned with an answering
look which quite sagacious And now, Mr.
conover. good-hy and good luck YOU"
Take this, Aileen' he said handing her the shn-
ing quarter.
Thank you sir" she returned. pocketng piece
conscience so far as exactness OF speech was con-
cerned Her statement that she prohibited from,
conversation with Pau conover nh. ws "a. me, ner
hall sing
of business girls and proceedd to tidy the place.
90 hour. Before she had finished one of
the young women. Miss Betty Sanderson. who was a
house came in weary and flushed. and threw ' her
self down on couch with big sigh over the gen.
II wonder II it's really worth while, Aieeni" she
groaned despondently.
old woman declared without hesitation
% A. this Miss Betty laughed 7 suppose ousns
,., You certainly ought Assn agreed giving her
overs AZ. YOU might complain
Mr.. Paul Conover!"
Well yes-a little. I've met him at one or two
of the college teams. What has happened to him.
1t was the old woman's opportunity and she em-
braced it, enthusiastically. Although her knees In
not let it interfere with her exceedingly complete
version OF the difficulty which eonfrontd Paul Gem
How very interesting" said Mis-. Betty Cant he
really do anything without losing the fellowship"
Not blamed thing." confirmed Aileen exctediy,
How pecuiar!"
After the old gossip had gone and possibly before.
Betty had evolved a scheme In her sympathetic mind
that was as generous as 1t ouixotic. She had
been impressed favorably by Paul Conover and now
that he was in such trying position she seized
with a burning desire to help him of II.
She thrifty little and at that very
moment had 800 in her trunk. Without pausinx too
long for reflection she put the money In a big yellow
envelope. inclosed with II slip bearing the type
written legend From friend of education sealed It.
directed 1t to Paul Conover. called messenger
and the deed done.
After Paul had recovered from his first surprise
and mystincaton he arrived at the conclusion that
the trustees had foreseen his dificulty had nit
on this delicate method of providing way out of Il
The idea plausible that he accepted II and did
nothing to impsril his possession Of the feilowship
When the time came for the nrst payment of the
stipend much interested In his post-sraA-
uate course-and in Betty Sanderson-to worry over
the Identity Of his unknown good angel
1t not until Ave years later when they had
been married week. that Betty confessed
Paving the Way to Destruction.
1t certainly that tho gods hath made them
mad-the democrats OF the Sixth district now rem.
ihalY