The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-07-28
The Truth
About MaiSie
She Proved That Sometimes
the End Justihes the
Mean"
By AGNES C. BROGAN
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.

Trinity church frowned darkly and
removed a footstool which stood in his
way in very unclerical manner,
while the sweet faced old lady who sat
near by folded a letter which she had
been reading aloud.
"Wen, David she asked, what
shall We do about it?'
There is just one thing to be done,
of course" her son answered promptly;
1--WE must send for my brothers child
and ask her to make this her home"
The old lady readjusted her specta-
cles and referred again TO the letter.
"Richard was ambitious to be great
artist" she said slowly, "and can
picture the lifelong struggle which
ended only in defeat But at the last
he remembered his mother.
"'Take care of my little girl he
writes. She is an irresponsible,
thoughtless creature, sound and good
at heart. Watch over her, entreat
YOU, and use your influence, if posi-
bic, in persuading her to leave the
stage. A letter addressed TO her prop
err name, Miss NJ. Il. Randolph, Gold
en- Butterfly company, New York" Will
be forwarded wherever she may be-
And so it happened that Miss Ran
dolph, sitting in her dressing room at
the theater few days later, was hand
ed letter, and her large dark eyes
grew wider and brighter still as she
read this kindly invitation to become
member of the parsonage household.
your grandmother and | will do all
in our power to make you happy" the
note read, and the girl smiled at the
superscription-"Da Paul Randolph,
pastor of Trinity church, Eastville,
n. Y"
She leaned forward and made little
face in the glass, then turned to get a
better view of the golden wings sus-
nended from her shoulders. MY dear
uncle-minister," she confided to her
charming reflection, Il don't really be-
lieve you could make me happy-in
Eastville."
Telegrams in Eastville were usually
associated with death or disaster, so
when David Randolph received yell
low envelope his mother waited IN
suspense as he read the brief message.
"What is it," she asked impatiently,
while his puzzled expression changed
to one of amusement.
"The Golden Butterflies have arrived
! in New York." he answered dryly, "and
am to meet 'Maisie' at Eastville sta
ton at 8 o'clock tonight
"Maisie." the old lady repeated
doubtfully.
Rain came pelting against the study
windows, and the wind, screechlnS
down the garden path, threw wide the
door. A girl stood there in the aper-
ture, wearing a fur trimmed scarlet
cloak. whose hue rivaled the freight;
she tilted back her head in order to
glance from beneath the huge brim OF
asplume decked hat.
you did not hear me knock" she
announced. I'm Maisic.'
The young pastor came forward
quickly. "Your telegram has just
reached u.s." he explained. Il eX-
pected to meet you on the O'Clock
train"
Maisie laughed. 81 intended TO leave
New York later" she said. when
YOU know me better you will learn that
the unexpected usually happens where
| am concerned"
With a sudden impulse the cider wo-
man took the other, scarlet cloak and
all. into her embrace.
"Gronddaughter, don't 20 back to
that life" she said. stay and take
YOUR fathers place in our home
The Girl drew in her breath sharply.
II will stay as long as you wish" she
replied, "if you will like ne for my
own sake"
So the Golden Butterflies packed up
and left New York, while Maisie re-
NAMED at the quiet parsonage. Inc
hitherto silent house now rang with
her CAV songs and laughter, anu the
crrases and lines which "dull care
had traced upon the tired pastors
face vanished. Maisie laid aside the
scarlet cloak and monstrous hat at MS
bidding. and with sigh of regret fold
I'd awav the orange silk which had
coused such tumult of criticism
among his congregation. she even
underworld to smooth back the riotous
curls which had been her pride and
appeared at church one day with neat
" handed hair and attired In a gray
gown of severe simplicity. 1t was
pleasant to remember, as the pastor
won't about his duties, that Maisie
wonld be there to welcome him when
he returned, and he would hasten his
steps in anticipation. 1t was pleasant
also for the old lady to sit resting IL
the twilight as Maisie sang the han
forgotten sOngs-ending up, perhaps
with very modern burst of ragtime
But gradually cloud appeared upor
this happy horizon; the girl hersell
grew restless and dissatisfied; she
snent afternoons in the city, returning
at evening silent and depressed.
"Do you think" the young minister
asked haltingly. that it is the old life
calling her back|
His mother hesitated a moment
"David." she said presently, did
ever occur to you that Maisie maj
have lover?"
His face turned strangely white
'eYou mean he asked abruptly.
"A letter came for her this mornin
with the name of theater stamps
upon the envelope" the old lady re
piled. 'NIaisie gave,a glad cry whe
| brought it and ran up>to her room
Later she came down and, bidding m
goodby. left for the city, making IA