Jasper County Democrat, Volume 18, Number 92, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 February 1916 — THE VEILED LADY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE VEILED LADY

By Edna D. Toonstock

(Copyright. Kl 6. by W. G. Chapman.)

John Bryan was “moving his office” —that is, what there was of it to move. It was a forlorn, disheartening job. For five years he had maintained fair space and respectable furniture and fixtures. Now bad luck and poor business had been his lot. He had lost his grip and was compelled to step down the line to a very poor position Indeed. He owed five months’ rent and had honorably turned over to the building his entire office possessions—all except the clumsy tiei-up bundle he carried in his jirms. 'Phis contained his account books, legal papers and a few desk utensils. John was depressed and abstracted. He did not notice that a veiled lady and a small child had alighted from a handsome limousine at the curb. He ran right into the little one, felt the contact, drew back, with the child unharmed, but his precious bundle fell from his arms and its contents scattered wide on the sidewalk. “I am so stupid!” he faltered In apologetic tones to the lady, but she proceeded to assist him in gathering up the load he had dropped. She came to a card photograph in a metal case. There was a quiver to her voice as she banded it to him. “The glass is broken,” she said. “Ah, but the picture is intact!” exclaimed John in a tone of deep thankfulness. “I prize it very highly, madam, and I shall not forget your kindness to a stranger.” Then, with a courtly bow that was

natural to him. for he was. a gentlean, every inch of him. he passed ou. The lady hastened to the curb. She ’ motioned the cnar.ffeur to bend towards her. “That man,” she said rapidly—“who dropped the papers.' “Yes. ma'am, 1 see him,'' was the ready response. V' “Follow him, see where he goes, learn something abort his circumstances, if you can. " She went into the store she had started for -bought her juvenile companion some comfits add returned tot await the return of her .messenger. "Madam,’ reported the latter, "the gentleman you directed me about is a Mr. John Brvari. He took his traps to a little desk in a big 1 irn of an office let out to poor brokers and the like. It seems he did a good business once, but lost his grip and he has little left. 1 learned, though, that he is respectable, of good habits and all that, and honest as the day is long.” "Poor soul,” murmured the veiled lady and there was a faint suggestion of a sob in her tone. “And l had almost forgotten! How strange that we should meet again in this odd way! He is the same—patient, tender, truehearted. If I had never left him, how much misery might have been spared me.” Alice Worth fell into a soulful rev- * erie as the machine sped on. Her mind wens: back to five years previous, when she had become a stenographer ill the office of John Bryan. She recalled the gracious, helpful ways of her employer, his encouragement, his patience until she had become more of a partner than an assistant. She delighted in showing her gratitude for the business training he iad given her- Her attention to details, her magnetic ways, her advice, carried the business up on a wave of actual success. She had almost learned to love the quiet earnest man who em ployed her, when a flashing, brilliant lover came along. She left the Bryan office and married him. Within a year, after spending all her savings, he deserted her, she secured a divorce and resumed her maiden name. Later her husband died and she began life all over again as a governess in a very wealthy family. She sought the mother of the little one she cared for when she reached tJie splendid mansion, where she was treated moro as a relative than a hired companion. “Mrs. Delville,” she said, “I am going to say something that will make

yoa think me very ungrateful, but my duty calls me. I cannot go with the family to California, as have arranged.” Then she told this real friend what impelled her to turn aside from ease and luxury, all for a lonely, friendless man who had once been her loyal mentor and guide. Mrs. Delville listened with interest and sympathy. The little one would grieve for her, she and her husband would sorely miss her, but she guessed the true emotion that underlay Alice Worth’s strange impulse and tried only to be helpful. It was the next day that John Bryan sat at his desk, trying to believe that he was still a man of business and that the flood of fortune Would some day turn his way. He wa#wrlting out eards to place in the rack over his desk, describing the various pieces of property he had for sale, when a lady entered the office and sank to the chair at the side of the desk. She was" veiled. John instantly recognized her as his kindly helper of the day previous. “I have come to see you on business, Mr. Bryan,” she began at once and a vague far-away expression came into his eyes. What chord of memory was touched? Why did a nameless thrill pervade his being? Before he could realize these strange emotions, the lady held him in a trance of sheer stupefaction as she proceeded: “1 wish to go into business. 1 am a competent stenographer and something of a business woman. I hear you spoken of as a man of sterling integrity. Would you consider me as a partner If I will invest some capital against your business capacity?” “A partner?” gasped the astonished John Bryan in a lost tone. “There Is nothing to make a partnership of." “I think differently,” spoke his visitor promptly. ‘‘l have investigated and believe that, with your prestige and record and a little co-operation you can regain the business you so well understand. A Mr. Delville, a wealthy gentleman, will place the care of a large property in our hands.” John Bryan was trembling all over with mingled sensations of hope, excitement and self-depreciation. ”1 must be honest with you,” he spoke. “I was only successful while I had an assistant, a most estimable and capable young lady. That is her picture.” and John pointed to the same photograph in a frame over his desk which the veiledi lady picked up from among his scattered papers on the pavement on the day previous. ”1 keep it near me,” he added in a low tone, “for she is -closer to my heart than any other woman in the world.” There was a flutter of the veil. As the visitor again spoke, the accents o( her voice betrayed intense emotion "Will you draw up a memorandum ol the partnership agreement Mr. Brv an?" she said. He took up his pen and drew a blank sheet of paper towards him in a dazed, mechanical way. "The name, please?” he questioned. She lilted her veil —Alice Worth! For a moment he stared unbelievingly at her. Then the truth .overwhelmed him. The tears started, his face dropped into his arms across the desk before him and ho sobbed as if his heart would break. Her gentle hand caressed the silvered head. Blind! Blind!” she niuptnufed—'he does not even yet guess ; hat my poor tired heart, is famishing for the love of a true, loyal man!” But the scales fell from the eyes ol John Bryan as the days went on and business cares were assuaged bv that sweet companionship. Ami the«, amid hope and success, love flamed forth gloriously, and so they were married.

Have Ccrre to See You on Business.” i