New-York tribune., 1911-01-22
Chapter XXI. Lady Bountiful


SCrawcd; but vet suttccd TO arouse deep and INSIST
ent sense OF shame in the breast Of the generous girl
Her cousin was i'll and in want. She had been for
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 10
reach its destination. Should this one share similar
fate. she knew not what she could DO.
burning little accusation scared Its way 70 Thur
lcvS heart She had first neglected then forgotten,
that first appeal, absolutely Engrosscd with the oys
and ccSascs of her altered circumstances she had
carclcssly permitted the lodgmcnt OF a hearesS dis
regard Of everyone else in the world she told herself
severely for which she was heartily ashamed.
She resolved to 60 to Edith at once with material As
well as personal comfort And then she realized
the danger Of OVERRIDING the role Of Lady BOuntfu,
should She dare appear in any capacity save that Of
another fellow tOcr with most the savings of her hire
The wise thing DO take the to Alice This
she did and that wide hearted friend Of the race was
Immediately ready with assistance.
You have never thrown away that suit you wore
while working for the Major, she said. Just put that
on, and James can drive you to the Majors office il
ask him 10 take YOU 70 the house where your cousin
lives leaving YOU, Of course at the door and returning
in half an hour at most to escort you away again.
But why not let me run over to the Aladison-avc
cars and 90 down there by myself; said Thurlcy "As
long I'm lust plain American girl why take all that
needless trouble;
Very we'll" said Alice. Take as much money a,
YOU like my dear so long il doesn't appear unrcason
able. And try to induce your cousin TO leave Ne"
York-go to Lakewood, or Atlantic City for an alb
soutc change and rest. Tell her friend of yours, OF
phlanthropic turn Of mind, has heard her story and
agreed 20 help YOU bear the expense.
A STRANGE little feeling Of impending fatcs attacked
L Thurcys heart a, She put away her dainty
morning costume robcd herself like drab Cinderella
returning to her ashes and left the gorgeous palace for
an excursion 10 part Of town long since abandoned to
the need, Of those 10 whom bare existence problem
She bore parcels in her arms, one OF irit and one {"
flowers. SomcWay, She felt as II something might occur
whereby She would never more regain the splendid
realm where chance and Alice had placed her.
How much She loved this newer lite could scarcely
have been rcckoncd To surrender It now would be al
most more than her eager heart could support And yet
She did not hesitate TO continue on her way with her
CUSTOMARY courage She did not know that barely be
hind her lOtcrcd a whose business 1t was 70 keep
her in view and report her every acton To thc woman
Of the ice cold eyes, seen and dreaded At he liofs'
Show.
When She boarded the the man had already swung
10 the step exciting suspicion IN her mind lie sat
half the car length away apparently reading paper
but never for second failing 20 keep her IN the focus
of his vision.
When at last She rose to alight at OF the over
crowded streets between nth and 23d the shadow de
parted by the exit at the front OF the car and managed
to let her oycrakc and pas HIM before ne moved "T'
ne crossed the street and appeared TO bc studying tc
numbers Of the houses as he quietly followed.
When She rang at and entered the door Of one OF the
old fashioned brown~tOnc houses, IN room oi WhCh
her cousin was slowly ConvaleNGnS from nervous 'o|
pcaons and fever the in the street all eagerncN
10 inform his conicdcracS Of Ihurlcy whereabouts,
dared not for = moment leave the ncighborhOod lest
She presently emerge from the building and be lost at
once 10 view.
Thurlcv found Miss Stock much reduced, yet able L"
be ND and about the house in & langud dlsr utcd man
ncr Edith was thoroughly a,onishcd to see her thus
appear having written as before to New Haven IN the
absence Of definite knowledge to where her cousin
might be found
why, Thurlcy,' shccrcd when the door opened al
,tting her r,., checked visitor "Oh, never was SO
glad to to See anybody in all my life" And, breaking
down AT once She cried uncontrolably, Thurey mean
time haNng aucIv advanced. 70 throw her arms sup