The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1923-05-25
THE GIRL WHO HID
BY AGNES BRoeAN
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he had hoped earnestly, here In his
own home he might not be disappoint-
| ed. But disappointment had come, and
most humiliatingly.
That 1t should be Elaine's little pro-
tege who more than disappointed was
bitter fact. And he, too-how he had
| counted on the grill How he had, I'M
consciously, trusted and loved her.
Yes, loved-he admitted this now, In a
calm, detached sort of way.
"Fritzie"-the odd little name that
seemed part of her endearment-
"Fritzie," who had been the song and
sunshine of the great, gloomy house
from the day that his sister Elaine
brought her, so triumphantly, from the
mission house in the lower part Of the
city, where Elaine was interested in So
cial welfare work.
"Fritzie" had not been an occupant
of the mission house; she lived near it,
Elaine explained, in shabby old tene-
ment building. But she had taken adj
vantage of certain classes at the mis-
sion, and had helped Elaine with her
the girls father died, leaving her alone
In the corner room of the tenement,
Elaine, in her own sisterless condition,
had asked the mission girl to come out
to the big house and call herself
Elaine's secretary.
And so far "Fritzie" more than re-
paid. And she, as well as Elaine, had
appeared happy in the situation.
These slum girls are not proper or
responsible persons to bring into ones
home,' Aunt Polly had insisted.
Rolin Danyers moved uncomfortably
In his chair. Rolin and his belongings
were always causing trouble or confu-
sion, John thought, unreasonably. And
this trouble was because Of the gay
Rollins diamond ring. 1t had been
given to Elaine as an engagement ring,
and when Rollins affections went fit
ting-to rest at Testers door-Elaine
had given back the big diamond, leav-
| Ing her finger In noticeable baroness.
Hester, his sisters guest as well as
her rival, wore no ring on her pretty
finger that probably was to come. The
tragedy of today lay in the fact that
| the valuable diamond which Elaine had
! returned had for several days been
missing from its corner on the dressing
table assigned to Rollins use during his
| stay in the Craven home during the
house party which had developed such
unfortunate happenings.
After fruitleSs search and inquiry
''Fritzie," the adopted inmate of the
very home circle was proven-and ad-
mitted-the thief.
Carrie, the housemaid, had with her
own eyes seen "Fritzie" secreting the
ring. Still, sadly, John Craven gave
the girl one last chance to clear the i'm
putation.
"You need have no fear Of punish
ment, 'Fritzie,'" he said. "Rolin as
sures us that all he wishes Is his prep
erty. And you have returned the ring.
The matter will be kept among our
selves. Therefore, you may have had
some excuse for having the thing In
your possession-some explainable rea-
son. You took it because" Plead
ingly, his eyes begged the girl to an
swer his question.
Elaine raised her head to look up
into the calm face above her own. II
took it." "Fritzie" answered, after a
moments hesitation-that was ALL
! During the days which followed, the
| happy little creature who had come
among them so joyously-and had de-
parted so silently-was not to be found.
John Craven did try to find her; an
aching fear haunted him that in that
family announcement in the library
wrong had been done, despite the girls
own confession.
But well was "Fritzie" hidden. Her
true name-Elaine helped him-was
plain MARY Hunter; the other, adopt
ed by the admiring folk Of the tene-
ment, had been her fathers pet whim-
steal name for his loved little daughter.
| Then, when "FritZie" had been hidden
for year, Elaine, In her new-found
happiness Of the renewal Of her en-
gagement to the carefree Rolin, came
one day to her brother to make fearful
confession.
"You see, I was so afraid that Rolin
intended to give my ring to Hester
though now he tells me he was only
trying to make me jealous-that sent
'Fritzie' to his room to get 1t. When
Carrie saw her, 'Fritzie' was placing 1t
In her, own small safety box. She had
no idea that she was doing wrong. But
I meant to straighten things later
then 'Fritzie' ran away to shield me
from humiliation, / do believe. She
had an undue sense of gratitude"
Accidentally-or it may have been
fate leading-John Craven found HIM
self one day before an old tenement
building near the settlement mission.
On an unaccustomed shining window
he read name-"Mary Hunter, Medi-
cine Shop"
Yes, it was "Fritzie" who greeted
him gravely across the white counter.
my father" she explained, twas
doctor to these people all his life-a
life purposely devoted to their needs.
Before he died 1t was his wish that 1
carry on the medicine part Of the serv-
ice, at least. I had but one more year
/ to study when Elaine came and took
me to your home. Since then / have
| finished my year. SO am back with
the people who need and trust me-"
Il need you, Fritzie." John Craven
humbly pleaded. Il need and trust you
as a man needs and trusts the woman
who must be his wife,"
And so he persuaded her.
| 4
Rest From Labor.
Controlled experiments made upon
! large numbers Of women working at
| all kinds of tasks have shown that to