The Meeker herald. [volume] (Meeker, Colo.) 1885-current, 1920-06-05
Lady
Bountiful
~0
By JESSIE E. sHERw1N
Copyright, 1879. by the wsstsrn News
paper Untoa-) ssi3

Derby Dnn reappeared attired respect.
ably and with money to- treat his
friends royalty. $50. !
Left iegacyl" Struck new
Iay?" Found IA pocketbookf" and like
expressions hailed Dan. but he only
smiled wisely and, az his money finally
gave out, ceased to be an object Of
comment and interest to all except
Badly Moss, who was his chosen chum
In famine and plenty alike. and one
day Dan confided his secret to Badly.
"Tell you. partner" he recited. Il
struck queer snap. A young fellow
mnde bargain with me at three dol
lars day to keep sober, report At his
room every evening from seven to nine
and answer his questionsr'
about what1" propounded Badly
skeptically.
"Oh, how we fellows Of the tomato
can and the rope belt live. Human In
terest Information, was the way he
put II. told him all l knew. One
Day he says: I guess we will cancel
the engagement. Dan. must confess
TO being disappointed In you. It's the
pathetic and pitiful. the real struggles
and misery of the poor ana unfortu-
nate have been looking for"
"Why. whatever was he after"
Hes story writer. or tries or
hopes to be. He was looking for, real
experience and characters"
II see. see." nodded Badly mus
'ngly. "Say. Dan, II ever we run
across him point him out. will you7"
1t WAS about q week after that
when Dan suddenly seized Baldy's
arm and pointed to young man cross
ing the street.
"That's him." he spoke quickly.
"Leave the rest to me-" directed
Badly, and put of on the trail Of
Merrill Hoyt with the hail: mister.
can have a word with you?"
Certainly" nodded Merrill.
II heard you're one Of those guys
who write for the papers," projected
Badly. ~ guess. too. that you want
to dig under the surface and get a
thriller with lots Of pep In 1t. heyf'
'You seem to have surmlsed what
I'm trying to hnd." answered Merrill
with whimsical smile.
swell. amt much up in iltatoor,
but suppose you are after heroes and
sheros. know one good and beauti-
ful ms an angel. She came to the ten
ement where used to live before my
wife died and went to pieces, and
stnrted In to help the sick and needy.
Say. that girl has worked ali day In
the factory. and uses every cent she
can spare for others. They call her
Lady BountifuI. but her real name u
Alice LIsle. Last week she pawAed
her neck chain to bsiy baby buggy
for little crippled child and pay the
rent for sick wasnerwoman. Say. !
believe there's mystery about her.
too. md that's what you want In
stories. don't youi She Isn't no COM
mon clay, that's sure. and her pretty
face and ways In movie picture
would make whole play Of Itself"
Badly furnished further details and
Merrill bestowed five-tloliar bill upon
him. hut Baldy's final words were: II
say. mister. II Lady Bountiful turns
out to be a priqcess In disguise and
your story about her makes you IA
NOUS you'll blow me to an extra tea.
ehT"
One week Inter Merrill Hoyt became
room tenant Of nm old woman on the
same floor where Miss LIsle was To-
Gated. The first sight he had Of the
young lady carried out the claim Of
Badly that she was indeed good and
beautiful rs nm angel" A week spent
In close proximity to herself and her
humble neighbors proved a revelation
to Merrill. There was not a woman
or child In the old tenement that had
not some story Of kindness to dis
close. Then Merrill was introduced
to Miss Lisle by his iandlady. Day
by dny he learned more. and more to
estimate her royal worth and night
after night he wrote upon his great
book" which her lovcliness and help
fulncss inspired.
Merrill fell III and never knew who
had aided In nursing him until he was
back to normal. It was his landlady
who told him Of the visits Of Miss
Llsle to assist her In caring for tAs
delIrious patient.
and OH" she said, chow you ravsd.
and NIL about her. and how you were
going to write her In lovely story.
And she biushed no beautifully when
In Your fever you began to talk about
love, and how she should be your own
when you sold your book and-and
here she comes now"
And. flushing from self-eonscious-
ness. Alice Lisle entered the room. Il
was the beginning Of q pleasant asso-
citation mutually cherished. and few
weeks later. well and strong again.
Merrill told his love and all the story
Of his object In coming to the tene-
ment.
ave Will have to walt TIL my book
| brings In returns" he told the eerin