The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-15
Rx MOLLY MeMASTER.
Copyright. 1912. by the Associated
Literary Press.)

SSbpS ASA~s ~ sAAe
Literary Press.)
Drucilla cast a furtive glance at tho
toe Of her shaopy little boot. in order
TO make sure that It was not pro-
Tuding beyond the hem OIL her SKIRT.
An envelope was lying on the moor
of the subway car at her feet uru-
ella stopped and picked 1t up. The
envelope was sealed and not empty.
There were few persons in the car
and Drucilla felt herself unooserved.
She turned the envelope over ana
over in her hanus, then she slipped
her finger under the liza. and peer ed
in.
Drucillas wide. broodinx eyes lit
up, startled out OF their hapituai
vague dreams. There was money in
the envelope. She cast q surreptitious
glance at The numbers In the corners
Of the bills. There were two tens and
one five. Drucilia closed the envelope
and thrust 1t we'll within her own
pocketbook and gave herself up to
multitudinous thoughts.
Elation. quickly followed by probes
from her conscience and quick sue
cession OF the urgent needs she had
for the money, chased through the
girls mind
Down deep In her consciousness
there was the certain KNOWLEDGE that
she wou,' seek to find the owner of
the money, but for the present that
truth was swamped in the joy of hav-
ing twenty-five dollars in her hands
She dreamed first OF the much
needed lessons In sight-reading that
she could now have Her glorious
voice. the training for which she
went without many lunches, was lit
n rxr
standpoint until she could read music
And position was essential within
the next year or so. Until then. with
overzealous saving. she could exc out
her tuition.
She had Just passed a window in
which was displayed a beautiful set
Of red fox furs Drucilla realized.
without conceit, that with her face
framed in the shade so nearly re-
sembling her hair. and her eyes only
the shadows in the color scheme. it
would be hard for either choirmas-
ter or manager to turn her away.
She smiled wh!msicaaly. Appear
ance was a valua BILE asset.
On her way from the subway to the
small room that Drucilla called home
she was haunted by the fear that she
was being followed and that the
precious money would be taken from
her, and by the more terrible feeling
that she was fleeing. fEon capture
with stolen money In her hands.
In the privacy OF her room she took
out the bills ana made an examina-
ton OF the enevelope. There seemed
TO be no withdrawing upon which
to hang an identification clew.
Yes! Drucilla was guilty OF sudden
irritation. There was writing on the
flap OF the envelope.
Property Of c. Drayton, 009 Clair
mont avenue" Drucille read. She
sighed. but smiled whimEcally again
~ eAris wSrs SNORT ifved, ana
because they were 30 vivid ! had bet
ter 30 Immediately to Clairmont ave-
nue.. before they become realities"
She donned her coat without stop
ping to make a much needed cup Of
tea.
Drucilla.s heart was tighter as she
made her way to the heights by the
hudson. Her dreams had been pleas
ant white they lasted.
Upon arriving at No e09. Drucilla
inquired Of the elevator boy and
learned that G. Drayton was on the
ninth floor. She sent up word over
the phone that she was in possession
OF a package, and was shown up.
A maid ushercd her into the draw
ing room, and the girl was obliged
to sit and gaze at the luxurious sur
roundings until Mrs. Drayton made
her appearance.
Drucilla arose when sweet. moth
erly looking woman entered.
'Have you found that foolish en-
velope Z" she asked kindly. and Dru-
ella liked her the moment she spoke.
Her startled eyes, however. made the
older woman. continue In a depreca-
ting voice: Tho dropping Of that
money In the subway was the result
or 4 wager made between nv hua-
band and my son. NY son. Carroll.
made the statement that he would
like to see the person who would re-
turn money that had been found. and
my husband took him UP on 325
wager that nine persons out Of ten
would return IT," Mrs. Drayton