The Press., 1920-02-05
Lady BOuntifu1
Copyright. 1913. by the Wsstsrn News
 paper Union.)
By JESSIE E. SHERWIN

It was a matter of no small won- derment when, after mysterious ab- sence from his accustomed haunts, Derby Dan reappeared attired respect ably and with money to treat his friends royalty.
 Left legacy?" "Struck new lay?" Found pOcketbOok?" and like expressions hailed Dan, but he only smiled wisely and, as his money finally gave out ceased to be an object of comment and interest to all except Baldy Moss, who was his chosen chum in famine and plenty alike, and one day Dan confided his secret to Baldy.
 'Tell you, partner" he recited, "1 struck queer snap. A young fellow made a bargain with me at three dol lars day to keep sober, report at his room every evening from seven to nine and answer his questions?"
 About what?" propounded Baldy skeptically.
 "Oh, how we fellows of the tomato can and the rope belt live. Human in- terest information, was the way he put it. I told him all I knew. One day he says: I guess we will cancel the engagement, Dan, I must confess to being disappointed in you. It's the pathetic and pitiful, the real struggles and misery of the poor and unfortu- nate I have been looking for"
 "Why, whatever was he after"
 Hes a story writer, or tries or hopes to be- He was looking for real experience and characters"
 "I see, sec" nodded Baldy mus ingly. Say, Dan, if ever we run across him point him out, will you?'
 It was about a week after that when Dan suddenly seized Raldy's arm and pointed to young man cross ing the street.
 That's him." he spoke quickly.
 Leave the rest to me-" directed Baldy. and put off on the trail of Merrill Hoyt with tlle hail: "Mister, can have word with you?"
 "Certainly," nodded Merrill.
 "I heard you're one of those guys who write for the papers" projected Baldy 'I guess. too, that you want to dig under the surface and get a thriller with lots of pep in it, hey?"
 You seem to have surmiSed what I'm trying to fnd," answered Merrill with whimsical smile.
 "Well, I ain't much up in litatOOr, but suppose you are after heroes and sheros I know one good and beauti- full as an angel. She came to the ten ement where I used to live before my wife died and 1 went to pieces, and started in to help the sick and needy. Say, that girl has worked all day in the factory and uses every cent she can spare for others. They call her Lady BOuntiful, but her real name is Alice Lisle Last week she pawned her neck chain to buy baby buggy for little crippled child and pay the rent for sick waSherwOman. Say, I believe there's a mystery about her, too, and that's what you want in stories, don't you? She isn't no com mon clay, that's sure, and her pretty face and ways in movie picture would make a whole play of itself"
 BaIdy furnished further details and Merrill bestowed fivedollar bill upon him. but Baldy's final words were: "1 say, mister, if Lady Bountiful turns out to be a princess in disguise and your story about her makes you fa- nous, you'n blow me to an extra ten, eh?
 One week later Merrill Hoyt became a room tenant of an old woman on the same floor where Miss LiSle was To- cated The first sight he had of the young lady carried out the claim of Badly that she was indeed good and beautiful as an angel" A week spent In close proximity to herself and her hurnhle neighhOrs proved revelation to Merrill. There was not a woman or child iE the old tenement that had not some story of kindness to dis close. Then Merrill was introduced to Miss Lisle by his landlady. Day by day he learned more and more to estimate her royal worth and night after night he wrote upon "his great book" which her loveliness and help fitness inspired.
 Merrill fell ill 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 LiSle to assist her in caring for the delirious patient
 "And oh" she said. "how you raved and all about her, and how you were going to write her in a lovely story And she bluShed so beautifully wher in your fever you began to talk about love, and how she should be your Owr when you sold your book and-and here she comes now"
 And. flushing from self-consciOus ness, Alice Lisle entered the room. Ii was the beginning of a 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
 "We will have to wait till my book brings in returns" he told the recip rocally happy girl, who smiled strange ly and added a bewildering conf | dence.
 She was the owner of the tenement l and had fortune of her own. ant | had assumed the role of poor girl tt l get closer to the lives of the needy | and lowly.
 "We must share what I have to gether, dear" she whispered to Mer 1 Till, flor Ohi the good we may do fo1 | these poor people whom we have takeI l into our lives"
 His Mistake