Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-09-11
THE STORY THUS FAR,

by The Public Ledger Co.
BY Permission of Houghton Mifflin CS
All Rights Reserved,
THE STORY THUS FAR.
| Stanley O. Fulton. multimillonaire,
masqucrading In Hillerton as John Smith
gcnealogist As a matter OF fact. he I
busy studying relatives he has suddenl
| made wealthy.
lie is most interested in the young PEG
Pile. sons and daughters OF those on whom
he bestowed wealth. Melleent daughter o.
| Frank BlR!sdell. Is a favorite OF his.
1t was in February that a certain
metropolitan reporter, short for fea
ture articles, ran up to Hllerton and
contributed to his paper, the follow.
ing Sunday, write-up on THE Blais.
dells One Year After" charging on
the fine new homes, the motor cars,
and the luxurious living OF the three
families. And it was three days after
this article was printed that Miss
Flora appeared at Miss Maggie's
breathless with excitement
Just see what I've got in the mail
this morning" she cried to Miss
Maggie. and to Mr.. Smith, who had
opened the door for her.
With trembling fingers she took
from her bag letter and small
picture evidently cut from a news
paper.
There, see," she painted, holding
them out, ITS a man in Boston,
and these are his children. There
are seven of them. He wrote me a
beautiful letter. He said he knew
must have real kind heart, and he's
in terrible trouble. He said he saw
in the paper about the wonderful
legacy I'd had, and he told his wife
he was going to write to me, to see
il | wouldn't help them-if only
little, it would aid them that much"
He wants money, them" Miss
Maggie had taken the letter and the
picture rather gingerly in her hands.
Mr.. Smith had gone over to the stove
turn a damper, appar-
emily, though close observer might
have noticed that he turned it back
to its former position almost at once.
Yes" palpitated Miss Flora. Hes
sick, and he lost his position, and his
wiie's sick. and two of the children,
and one of ems lame, and another's
blind. Oh, it was such pitiful story,
Maggie! Why. some days they
haven't had enough to eat-and lust
ook at me. with all my chickens and
turkeys and more pudding every day
han | can stuff DOWN.
Did he give you any references"
References What do you meanp
lie didn't ask me to hire him for
nything."
No. no, dear, but | mean--did he
i've you any references, to show that
e was-was worthy and all right"
reclaimed Miss Maggie patiently.
"Of course he didn't. Why. he !
idnt need to. He told me himself |
ow things were with him." rebuked |
liss. Flora Indignantly. 1T is all in
ne letter there Read it for your
IT,"
But he really ought to have given
'u some reference, dear, if he asked
,u for money"
We'll, / don't want any reference.
believe him. I'd be ashamed to
oubt a man like thatl And you
ould, after you read that letter, and
'ok into those blessed children's
ices.
BESIDES, he never thought of such
thing-I know he didn't. Why, he
'ys right in the letter there that he
ever asked for help before, and he
as so ashamed that he had to now"
Mr. Smith made a sudden odd little
'ise in his throat. Perhaps he got
loked. At all events, he was seized
it'll fit of coughing just then.
Miss Maggie turned over the letter
her hand.
Where does he tell you to send
lie money!
TITS right there-box four hundred
nd something; and / got the money
rider, just as he said"
You got one! Do you mean that
ouve already sent this money"
ried Miss Maggie.
Why, yes, of course. | stopped at
ie ONCE on the way down here"
And you sent--a money order"
Yes He said he would rather
ave that than a check"
Il don't doubt it'll You don't seem
have-delayed any"
OF course | didn't delay! Why,
laggie, he said he had to have it at
nee. He was going to be turned
out into the streets!
'hink of those seven little children
the streets! Wait, indeed! Why, |
iaggie. what can you be thinking
I'm thinking you've been the easy
ictim of professional beggar,
'lora, retorted Miss Maggie, with |
ONE spirit. handing back the letter
nd the picture.
why, Maggie, l never knew you to
e $3.50 unkind," charged Miss
Ilora, her eyes fearful. He can't be
professional beggar. He said he
'asn't-that he never begged before