The Yale expositor., 1921-02-17
One Among Many
By SAIDEE E. BALLOON
"a. 1870. Western Newspaper Union)

ana consume full hours time on each
occasion in the general parior. She
was modest, quiet young lady who
lived all to herself, had a position in
some down town business office, and
evidently had a limited income.
The landlady had seen the card sent
in by the caller, "Mr. Judson Laramie,
Attorney She deftly Quizzed the
young girl, but received only the terse
Information that 1t had been a bust
ness call regarding a relative. When
the young man came 4 second time,
however, the b0arders fancied they
discerned the commencement of a rO-
nance.
1t was all n simple, yet distress
ing affair to Eunics Bridges. The
young lawyer had told her plainly that
he was the representative OF a lead
Ing legal nrm. Into their hands had
come the mission Of tracing down Carl
Bridges. They had heard that he was
cousin Of Miss Bridges. Could she
give them his address. 1t was q mat
ter where relative had left him the
sum Of $4,000.
II am sorry" said Eunics. ''for the
last time l heard Of Carl he was In
the depths Of poverty. had better
be plain with you, Mr.. Laramie. For
years he was disSipated profligate--
l am ashamed to say 1t, but almost 4
criminal. I tried to reform him.
divided with him my meager earnings
for the sake OF his dead mother. He
robbed me of all had and disap-
peared, and have never heard from
him since.'
HE must be found. Perhaps he has
repented. The money would at least
place him once more on his feet He
would repay you"
81 never have expected that" said
Eunice. "If only he is contrite and
leading better life, my reward would
be in hoping my influence might have
aided him."
Laramie called a second time and
obtained closer information as to the
former associates Of Bridges, and Eu-
ince did not see him again for many
weeks.
There was wretched block Of
buildings in the lowest portion of the
city generally known as Driftwood
row. 1t was here Laramie learned
that Bridges had associated with 9TH
ers of his dubious Tx for over year,
and here he started his quest. His
law firm had asked him to devote
his time exclusively to an endeavor
to locate the heir they were anxious
to endow with his inheritance and get
rid Of It. Laramie, even at the risk
of being seen by his friends in his as
sumed disguise Of a tramp, spent a
whole week in the disreputable bar
racks and at last obtained clew to
Bridges In another city.
He came across the derellct mere
wreck Of man, and gradually impart-
ed to him his rare good fortune. All
Bridges seemed to think Of was to get
the money and indulge his vicious pro-
pensities to their fullest extent.
Bridges secured him decent attire and
took him to the Office Of the lawyers.
Bridges was paid over his money.
"There is something feel it duty
to speak to you about, Bridges" said
Laramie. "Your cousin. Miss Bridges,
advanced you money she could poorly
spare. She is still paying Off what
she borrowed to help you along. Then
there was some jewelry, old family
heirlooms you took away with you.
Come, be man and do the right thing
by noble-hearted relative who did 90
much for YOU"
Don't / intend tor" challenged the
arrant falsifer. Tomorrow l am 60
ing to make Eunice present OF half
got"
Carl Bridges never went near his
cousin. Within a month he had squan.
dered every cent Of his inheritance.
Laramie called at the boarding house
to learn this, and wondered how the
single souled girl could so patiently
bear with the base ingratitude.
Then he heard she was i'll, and call
ing at the house, was Informed by the
landlady that she had lost her posi-
ton. A great resolve came to Jud-
son Laramie at last. The girl had
beggared herself for an unworthy rels-
tive. She was out of work, probably
penniless. The gentle characteristics
OF her nature appealed powerfully to
the young attorney.
He went to see her when she was
convalescent. He was affected deep
~ as he heard her patiently, hopefully
discuss plans for securing a new posi-
ton. His hand sought her own.
Eloquent, his heart filed with SYM
patty and esteem, Judson Laramie
went over the many sacrifices she had
made, her patience, her faith.
"Eunice." he said, 81 cannot restrain
an expression Of the love for you that
is yelling up within my soul. Poor
childl will you trust me to guide you
through life as man who cherishes
for you devotion that can never
failr
There had not come TO her repay