Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-12
BY PHILIP VERRILL MIGHELS

that her cousin had written every word and written in
anguish and alarm.
DEAR LADY BoUNTFUL.-You will forgive me.
know for what found myself obliged do and for
being i'll. 1 am back in New York you will
with me- please; for was simply obliged to come
robbed in Lakewood robbed of penny had in the
hardly know how it happened simply that
taken from my room while was absent and that despite
of the thief or my funds.
had done quite well several days; but feeling
slight relapse to former complaint when this occurred
kind and generous here gave money
to New York and have to the old address for shell
ter, knowing of no other place where would be
am ashamed to write YOU such confession and should
have tried creep back old quarters and work and
conceal the facts not i'll and incapable of giving
of promise of the here who has
more received me under her roof.
do not ask you to come, but felt must at least
less for the world be filled with such 1! God
bless for all have done is the prayer of grateful
EDITH!
clever adaptation of words, phrases, and char
acerstcs cued from bright and cheerful letter could
scarcely be imagined. 1t Edith throughout,
Thurey instantly conceded.
A great gush of sympathy, affection, and compassion
srged to her heart. In such bitter cold this for
Edith to be housed in the wretched old howell where
Thurey had found her before, insupportabe. And
for Edith to blame herself and apologize for being
overtaken by calamity, poignantly affecting. 1t
like her, like her self denying ways, to attempt this
return to New York and work. instead of informing any
of her plight before she left the warmth and
fort of her place among the pines!
Oh, I'll scold her for that said Thurley to herself
Treating if | ogress, when all the poor
dear had to do let know of her troubled She's
got to go back at once!'
She went to Alice Immediately and gave her the letter.
Alice was Mortified "Merciful Heavens" she said.
what awful things happen to the poor! Why couldn't
rich old have sustained this wretched loss?
Why couldn't they and rob me- for instance, in
stead of girl like that? Well send James down at
once"
ITO drive me? Of course, if you wish to, Thurley
answered. but went before in the and I'd just
do again In fact to arrive there in carriage
its hardly the thing that Ediths cousin would d.
morning like this, you may let James drive you some
where and wait to drive you home
Perhaps that would be better Thurley agreed.
I'D like to take few things anyway,-just few
flowers and thngs,-and l wish l had oilstove.
Her must be colder than barn, day like this;
but perhaps | can send one in
But she mustn't be there long, said Alice. Send
her right back to Lakewood; to-day, if shes well
enough to 60 Poor dear she deserves it now if she
didn't before
Thurey feverishy for thestart She changed
her dress while Alice was phoning for the carriage
IN wild, singing seet, once hurled upon the
city, she presently driven away, with promise
to return by o'clock
The ride was long and cold; but Thurley was warmed
by the tender emotions of her being and her Indignation
at the unknown thieves who had brought about Ediths
discomfort
She alghted at last block from the house she had
visited before, and rudged sturdy down the slippery
walk entirely unprotected from the storm, filled
were her arms with bundles.
The place seemed forsaken and forbiddng, its win
dows curtained, its aspect of chill and drearness.
Thurley shivered for Edith she mounted the steps
and rang the bell.
After waiting time that seemed very long she rang
again, and faint sound of stirring within renewed her
confidence that her cousin would be discovered.
Then the door opened and little old woman
blocked the way
miss Steck" said Thurley. Il came to Miss
Steck. Is she in? May go right up?"
"Third floor rear" rasped the housekeeper shortly,