Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-01-22
Chapter XXI. Lady Bountiful

SATURDAY morning brought Thurley second let
scrawled; but yet suficed to deep and insist
en of shame in the breast of the generous girl
Her cousin was i'll and in want. She had been for a
week almost abandoned too exhausted and afflicted to
write and hopeless with loneliness and the barren pros
pect of the future. She mentioned the fact that she
had written BEFORE but feared the letter had failed
reach its destination. Should this share similar
fate, she knew not what she could do.
A burning little accusation scared its way to Thur
leys heart She had first neglected. then forgotten
that first appeal absolutely Engrossed with the joys
and ecstases of her altered circumstances she had
carelessly permitted the Judgment of heartless dis
regard of everyone else in the world. she told herself
severely, for which she was heartily ashamed
She resolved to go to Edith once with material as
well as personal comfort. And then she realized
the danger of OVERRIDING the role of Lady Bountifu
should she dare appear in any capacity that of
another fellow toer with at most the savings of her hire
The wise thing to do to take the to Alice This
she did, and that wide hearted friend of the
Immediately ready with assistance
You have never thrown away that suit you
while working for the Major she said Just put that
and James drive you the Majors office I'll
ask him to take you to the house where your cousin
lives leaving of course, at the door, and returning
in half an hour at most to escort you away again.
But why not let me over to the Madison-ave.
and 60 down there by MYSELF" said Thurey "As
long as I'm Just plain American girl, why take all that
needless trouble?
Every WE'LL" said Alice "Take as much money as
you like my dear SO long it doesn't appear
able: And try to induce your cousin to leave New
York-go to Lakewood, or Atlantic Cty-for alb
4
philanthropc turn of mind has heard her story and
agreed to help you bear the expense.
A STRANGE little feeling of impending fates attacked
Ihurleys heart as she put away her dainty
morning costume robed herself like drab Cinderella
returning to her ashes and left the gorgeous palace for
excursion to part of town long since abandoned
the needs of those to whom bare existence problem
She bore two parcels in her arms, of fruit and Of
flowers. Someway she felt as if something might
whereby she would never more regain the splendid
raalr Uha Chanca apdA ire had MA bar
How much she loved this newer life could scarcely
have been reckoned. To surrender it would be al
most than her eager heart could support And yet
she did not hesitate to continue her way with her
customary courage. She did not know that barely be-
hind her loitered man whose business it to keep
her in view and report her every action to the
of the ice cold eyes, and dreaded at the Horse
Show.
When she boarded the the man had already swung
to the step, exciting suspicion in her mind He
half the car length away apparently reading paper
but never tor second failing to keep her IN the focus
of his vision.
When at last she rose to alight at one of the over
crowded streets between 18th and 3d. the shadow de-
parted by the exit at the front of the and managed
to her overake and pass him before he moved when
he crossed the street and appeared to be studying the
numbers of the houses as he quietly followed.
When she at and entered the door OF one of the
old fashioned brownstone houses, in room of which
her cousin was slowly convaescing from
pcatons and fever the in the street. all eagerness
to inform his confederates of Thurleys whereabouts
dared not for moment leave the neghborhood, lest
she presently emerge from the building and be lost at
to view.
Thurley found Miss Steck much reduced yet able to
be up and about the house in langud. disprted
ner. Edith thoroughly asonished to see her thus
appear having written before to New Haven in the
absence of definite knowledge as to where her cousin
might be found.
"Why, Thurley" she cried when the door opened, ad-
hitting her rosy checked visitor. oh, never was SO
glad to anybody in all my ife!' And, breaking
down at once She cried uncontroably, Thurley
time having quickly advanced to throw her arms sup
portngy about her and draw her Snugly against her
sympathetic BOSOM
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