Hi y'all I'm back. Welcome to another week of my life vlog I just got back from Fort Worth this morning. I leave for Austin in St. Louis on Thursday So we've got a couple days at home. It's Monday evening I just been getting work done and I just went to at home I have so many things that I need to do and I procrastinate them all because I just went and got Christmas trees instead And I decided that today October 23rd. We are going to be decorating not decorating the tree We're gonna set up the trees and then we're gonna decorate them over time I might pull out some Christmas to core boxes. I don't know. I also need to make some dinner. We'll see I also might need another coffee. Like there's just some things happening But if y'all are new here, be sure to subscribe. I post vlogs on YouTube every single week I have a podcast that you can also watch on YouTube every single week And yeah, it's gonna be gonna be quite the week. How many times can I say week guys, okay? A lot. I'm wearing this website from Mauritia Now I'm gonna show you my tree.  I'm doing a little living room refresh I did order all that stuff. So the tree will go right here. That's this tree that I also got a smaller thinner tree for this room because I wanted like I always do honestly more than one tree, but I Like the idea of there being a tree in Christmas to core as I'm recording the podcast And there's obviously more space here So I feel like makes sense of the tree to go there But if I put the tree there it might be easier to record and have it there I don't know because my lens isn't wide enough anyways for the podcast So I haven't figured that out for now the tree is gonna go there. I think but you guys let me know what y'all think I don't know because at least like through there. You can see it through the front This is my first year that I'm gonna have Christmas trees or Christmas tree lights all my house because I never do it All my town house, and I couldn't really do it anyways, but anyways, I'm gonna unbox the trees This looks so cute. I can't decide if it's gonna stay here or go there. It is really thin and tall. Let me know what y'all think All right, the tree is out. I need to fluff it better before anyone comments. I can already hear my mother Okay, it's But I actually really like it. I was between two today. I got both of the trees from at home So I will link them below And this one is just a little bit closer to my Pinterest Inspo, which I will have here on the screen. I'm gonna do velvet ribbon bows We're adding tinsel this year, and then I'm keeping my classic ornament So it's gonna be colorful and fun and almost like youthful. It's guys He's so obsessed with the camera lately like I don't even know what to do with it I'm really happy with that and then I love my tree Over here. I can't even remember. I've been vlogging for tiktok today too So I can't remember what I said where but it just looks really cute. There's one of my wreaths that I have This is from Target. I will link it if they still have it. I don't think they do I don't know where my wreath like holder is it would have a new one off the Amazon I do need to get all my ornaments out and like start with that I was going to wait guys I wasn't gonna do this until like November 1st Which is when I always my tree up, but I'm going on a ton this weekend And then it's like Halloween and I was like listen like I would rather just have him up and then you know I'll have Halloween and I'll be also be decorating my tree that day because who cares But I'm also not gonna have a whole weekend this year because I'm going to visit and like literally stay with my grandparents and take Lewis, so Halloween is canceled for me this year, and I honestly don't care at all. I'm gonna show y'all While we're here with the next product is for friend of mine that I've been teasing the one that we shot like two weeks ago That's just like give me a second. Okay, so maybe I'll comment it and guess it when I'm coming out with a dinner party card game So it's dinner cards, but the cards themselves are actually really really nice Like super thick the quality is amazing and they are so studying at Katie Bellotti to that. Thank you, Katie I'm really excited. This is a sample and the back is wrong. Oh wait. This isn't even this has been other sample The URL is wrong so we fixed it so it's shop friend of mine because we were this is Prelaunch that we were working on this and we were changing our URL But I'm really excited I think this is gonna be such a good like Christmas gift and just great thing to have around the holidays I am constantly constantly bringing dinner party card games around or just like question card games to dinners Obviously like my friends are always requesting it. Um, so I wanted to go out on my own for like two years and here we are finally so Yeah, friend of mine is a great Christmas gift this year I would get it soon though because we will probably not be in stock I'm just assuming for recipe journals in December unless we get another shipment, and I don't think that we will so I would get them now If that's your plan and then these are launching in November I don't know right now the actual date. It'll be on the shop friend of mine Instagram So anyways, I'm glad that we can talk about that And just get that out of the way, but when I was in Fort Worth this weekend I was craving the chicken and dumplings that I made last week So I need to get my recipe out actually In my recipe journal as always. I'm boiling some chicken Currently This is the recipe if you all want you can screenshot it. I also have an Instagram real up It's from the modern proper sorry my phone is Going off about Christmas decor with my mother, so I was craving it So I'm gonna make that tonight and I do have some like editing to bring up things that I'm gonna have to get done Oh, I also got two other things from at home Which like are kind of like probably not that cute but like something about it I just like they were comforting to me So I got this cute little pink nutcracker, and then I also bought this little What do you guys call these? Like spoon holder and what do you guys call them? Let me know, but it's a cute little Santa one, and I'm also gonna get out my Hot coffee maker, which has been above Above I Looking great because I ordered the Emma's olives the stuffed olives a jalapeno and the garlic jalapeno They look really good. I look like I was crying. I was cutting on you and it really got to me But I'm excited to try this. I love Emma. She's been on the podcast. She's just like nicest girl ever We're gonna do a little taste test I've heard the like jalapeno ones are so good jalapeno hot Really good actually like so good. This is the garlic and jalapeno and that's another influencer by the way I just assumed you guys all know that but Emma Leger. That's how you sing all the same. They're so good Congrats Emma.  This is my favorite olive oil. It's also like really inexpensive. They also have finishing oils It's so good. It lasts forever. Even if you're just looking for a new olive oil. I highly recommend I Guess y'all were wondering. Yes, I did build this myself today And you might be like can see why would you ever need a clothing rack in this closet? This clothing rack was only 30 bucks first off second I needed something to have outfits planned into pack and where I can like move it around whatever, okay? I don't need to explain myself even though I am I mean I don't feel like packing at all So I'm not gonna be doing that today, but I would like to pick up my outfit for tomorrow I'm going to a luncheon if you will. I actually got invited to two luncheons tomorrow watch out I'm only going to one. Oh, also Closet plans. So in the next week, I think this will be a next week thing.  I think and then this is all gonna be I guess I'll get rid of summer tops, too And it'll all be like sweaters and just like fall things needs to do like a major clean out also I'm thinking about it. I'm like January. I want to be like a really productive month of logs on the channel and I was listening to stuff chef on Stephanie Shepard on the skinny combination She was saying well I guess it may as well as want to take talk of her's that she took photos in all of her pants and Have them like printed and laminated and put them where like obviously With all of her hangers not obviously but like with all of her hangers and like that's what I need They see pants that I wear the same three ones because I remember how they fit and other ones I'm like, I don't know I'm like actually gonna do that and even with like denim shorts and stuff like I'm gonna go So crazy. Oh, you know what? I'll probably wear these pants, too. I like a celebration of life this weekend I probably wore those. They're like really nice lax. They're ones from on 34th that I always talk about Oh, yeah, I haven't these pants I haven't worn in a while. I know that I really like them. I kind of like these Weirdly impairing them with brown like I Am such a stem adam and girl. I also like haven't worn these though. I just got these Like this and I'm kind of like really in a navy these days and the high tomorrow is like 80 It's like pretty boring honestly. It's too hot for body suits and that's where all many nicer tops are Okay, I actually think I might hate this but these with this blazer and the brown No, I'm gonna hate it I don't know. I'm gonna try it all because I'm into liking the great no actually this With these I think I'm gonna like it guys. Okay, this clothing rock has already done wonders for my life Like I already have a couple outfits a couple things that I fold. I know this is the most obvious thing ever I used to have one too in my townhouse. And I just this is well worth it. Like what was I doing?  Like here's the thing. I'm working on a robe because I like live in robes. I live in like a matching pajama set robe and slippers, but Where's it y'all's favorite row because I do need one in the meantime I have a great one from skims the brown one, but it's just kind of short and I like how massive this robe is Just need like a massive like fluffy warm Row I'm dying at this. I'm also dying at the back that the tree is up But I woke up early this morning to get some reading done. Okay. Oh, you know what? I think my friend's texting about book club. She's literally said we need to be good reads friends a lot I only read about 14% of the book guys I've been like really struggling reading the second half of the year Like I don't know what it is. It's like it's not this book. It's just I don't know like I don't know what it is I normally can just like sit and whatever but like I buy my phone addiction has been out of control. That's what it is Anyways, I would have like a couple none didn't have that long to me this morning But I started the woman in me Britney Spears memoir. Okay, I've been waiting for this book to come out for so long Also in book news. Okay, so I'm gonna read The Josie Silver like flawless It's a chestnut. Is it chestnut spring series? Yeah I started that last night and everyone said that I would love it winter in New York by Josie Silver I loved one day in December I think I read that like two or three years ago and I just loved it so much so that's gonna be perfect because you know We're already in Christmas winter spirit here even though it's not actually that cold yet actually the high next week I think is like 60. Anyways, I'm gonna get ready and go on a walk soon That's I think that's kind of sense it. That's why he's so ready to go. So if you guys have like tips For like inflammation like I feel like my face is so puffy at all times I mean like look like myself like should I be drinking a certain tea before bed or something like I just it's crazy Like I just don't even look like myself It doesn't help to when I'm like on a plane like frequently, but still just changing to my little morning walk outfit Here we are This clothing rack is really like changing changing the game I'm listening to Rob Deirdreck on this skinny confidential for the like 15th time this episode is I mean, it's probably a year ago. Maybe more. I don't know. It's my favorite podcast episode ever Those and then the ones that my let like episodes. I want them to do another one soon But they need to have Rob Deirdreck back on especially like in the knee here But it is such a good episode if you guys haven't listened to this skinny confidential Rob Deirdreck episode You'll need to listen Y'all I'm in the middle of filming a tiktok of all my favorite Abercrombie genes or just did them in general But I think I'm just gonna also include it in this vlog. What you doing girl? We're gonna link everything and we're size 28 to 29 depending on the genes. These are more casual I like that they have this like slit here I wear these with like sweaters uggs cowboy boots like just a lot more Casual so these are definitely my all-time favorite Abercrombie genes I've actually bought like three of them because a lot. I thought I lost them and I just found them one day Anyways, these are I'm totally liking on the name. I'll have them linked below, but they're perfect for heels They're also really great for cowboy boots. I don't really wear them with like uggs as much I mean I wear them with everything honestly just because they're a little bit longer But they're great with cowboy boots because they're like a little bit of a heel best most flattering jeans ever I love them are the loose high-rise again heels I know it feels like you're wearing pajamas, and they are perfect y'all and then we have this denim skirt I know it's getting like colder out So it's not we can really wear this but I have an outfit like pictured So I just got the matching denim jacket or it ordered and it's not in yet. I'm gonna wear tights like black tights these heels the jacket and a turtleneck underneath and it's gonna be Perfect like an everything of the sort, you know, so anyways, I'm gonna link it just in case maybe it does get Stays warmer you are or even honestly, it's just worth it for next year. Like it is the most perfect best denim skirt You could ever possibly wear it's so good. Honestly really enjoyed filming that I feel like I need to start doing more like Topical videos or even just tiktoks of like random favorites and whatnot because like in my closet I mean first off I the most insane cause I need to be using it But I'm not kidding pretty much all of this is skims a couple of things I mean, there's definitely a ritzy in here mainly skims and then all almost all this is Abercrombie. I just have Very specific things that I like obviously all my boots. I have so many pairs of heels I have so many things a lot of this stuff I'm giving to my niece this week, but I don't know. I just want to be making Videos like that are like more helpful like I like I prefer to just share my everyday Life with y'all like in the vlogs. I have been really like in my head about YouTube I think the past six months and I will keep saying this And I feel like no one's even on YouTube anymore I feel like it really is just tiktok so then I'm like am I like wasting my time like should I just be making daily tiktok vlogs? Which I also really love doing like I genuinely love making a daily tiktok vlog.  What do y'all prefer? I'm assuming you're watching on YouTube. There's a lot of you that prefer YouTube, but like I just I can't decide This closet is already doing amazing things for me. Okay. I have my little light here This by the way from Dulce or is it by Rosie Jane this perfume. It was my PR stock It smells so good kind of reminds me of the like coconut perfume from Urban Outfitters growing out that I was obsessed with Like the cocoa day law whatever it's raining right now, but I ended up loving the outfit I put together last night. I know this vlog has mainly been in my in my closet, but I'm obsessed like I love it Everything of the sore is exactly what I needed feeling great Going to this luncheon And then we're coming home and getting some things done, but I do need to get some editing done before We head out Just been working on podcast stuff if y'all have Podcasts requests that's guest in solo episodes topics anything you guys want especially the next two months because they want Like ideally my winter episodes to be like cozy and I feel like you just want any more like chit chat Q and then January will be like Routines goals all those things and also leave those requests Anyways, um this jacket came in that matches my Abercrombie. It did have skirts And it's kind of perfect. It's like not That big like I would like it. They only had a medium I would like a large but they were out of stock and I feel like this is kind of her rich like that denim skirt Like trodden up underneath, you know, like I don't need to have everything like so massive He's coming over later, and we're just gonna have a night. I'm just planning We really got to get it together.   I just want to plan Just you know get on top of things like I I don't know I'm feeling a little bit more like inspired, so I really want to just like take advantage of it But update I am fully out of the emotional fuck. I think that I've been in I've been such a good move like such a great move So sitting to rob your drink this morning and it's getting confidential Hi, I swear Macy. He does this new thing where he is the second that I start filming He comes up with you think any mind to me earlier up until the right this very second He knows Hi Okay, guys Macy and I're having a meeting. What are we calling this meeting power? I think we should do a different name No, I just didn't feel right I was thinking you'd have a better one Okay, we're having a powwow. Thank you. They're gonna love it comment if you love it Is also, sorry Macy's not over. It's actually Picasso Guys um my dad's really artistic and look what he sent me because so cute You guys saw Kenzie's last vlog I'm in my painting era my dad's like you should experiment with markers So he sent me some from Amazon if you guys are interested DM me I can send you the link my dad's tried all the markers And I'm trying out some different, you know different designs. Oh, so I didn't even notice that that's what you're writing New York and did my signature if anyone wants the sheet just let me know. Oh, totally I mean that signature probably cost millions. Yeah, and then I have this new custom design that I'm working on So let me know Good morning y'all I'm obsessed with the tree in the background. I'm about to go work out I had quite the morning here but you've been like me later work out I'm like reading getting things done in the morning. Coco's barking. Okay, so you're of our set princess Bully coat finding bag Reebok shoes and when work out and then I could film something at Irby. I do need to stop at North Park I don't know if I'm gonna have time today is my day with my knees this afternoon So I'm making her up early from school and that's my priority. So anyways We're heading off. I'm on like a big tape McRae kick, too I love tape literally honestly the only music I listen to his country But like some Tate some Olivia Rodrigo, you know So if I wanted to show you the sunglasses that I thought this is where I was before I picked you up We're going to the pumpkin patch. It was raining had a lot of drama on our plans We're going to the pumpkin patch and then we're going to buy below Yes, and I can't wait for the movie theater, okay, so I got new sunglasses from sunglass I want to show you them. Oh Okay Okay, open your eyes Cute and look at the side Cute right? Can I have like an S? Mm-hmm. I don't side. Well. Yeah, it does It's Versace And then I got these two and these are a little more subtle. I think I might wear these today. You can help me pick These are her soul and that's how you say them But they're brown and they're just like a little bit more minimal These okay, I'll wear these I Can't wait to eat food on the movie theater Popcorn is so buttery. I love that. I want to put I want to put butter everywhere. Yeah I do that's what I always do. I love buttery popcorn. It's my favorite Do you ever put the cheese on the popcorn with the powders? Yeah, but my parents don't really let me well today we can Do the fun things I always ask my parents if I can go for the light if I can get something they like I'm sure that it's just because they don't like it, but that's probably what it is. So so We're going to the pumpkin patch. So if you've been in a blog in a long time We have it even I'm wearing her beanie. Mm-hmm, and show them your new hat Huh, you can show them your new hat.  It was like everything. Oh, yeah, see So cute. Okay Oh, yeah, I gave her some PR So many packages while I was gone guys You can't even see them all it's often the living room makeover and honestly, I think everything is here inside the chair So stay tuned for my next vlog going to do a massive closet clean out And I'm swishing over my fogs living and it's just gonna be like a really fabulous experience I'm really looking forward to this got a new pair of hugs for this season the ones I've been wearing have been Really trashed besides these are actually fine. I actually have not had a pair of the platform I'm and which is crazy because I wear hugs every single day I know and they came in the perfect time because I'll be wearing them This weekend


CHAPTER 36 The AIDS Society A partial success attended the efforts of both the sisters on the Monday morning, Mabel procuring a small supply of work from one of her old customers, and Hilda from Mrs. Powers, the person with whom they formerly lodged. Mrs. Powers received the young girl so kindly as quite touched Hilda, who had almost expected to be forgotten by her old landlady, and gave her work that she had intended to do herself. In fact, knowing that Mrs. Powers was altogether accustomed to do her own sewing, Hilda had scarcely thought it possible her visit to her would result in procuring the aid she so much needed. It's after all those who have known trouble themselves, who the most feel for others, was the reflection of the young girl as she hurried home with her precious parcel. Before Mrs. Powers, she has the time to give to this work and scarcely the money to pay for it being done. Late on Tuesday afternoon Mabel had completed the task she had allotted herself, and leaving her little lily to the care of Hilda she went to carry at home. The person by whom the work was given her lived a considerable distance from Polk Street, and Mabel was some time on the road though she made all possible speed. Her employer was from home when the young girl arrived there, but being informed she was expected back in a short time, Mabel concluded to await her coming, not wishing to return another time for the pay. The short time named lengthened itself to nearly an hour, and after that a good deal of delay was made through the proprietor looking over the work and demurring about the price to be paid for it. Mabel's demand was for a dollar and three shillings, which her employer thought too much. The latter finally dismissed her with nine shillings, as she might as well have done at first, since she had quite resolved to bring the amount to what satisfied herself. Upon glancing at the timepiece in the hall, as she was about to leave, Mabel was dismayed to find it nearly eight o'clock. Wrapping her cloak closely as possible about her, for it was a particularly cold evening, and she had become warm through her long stay in the house, she hurried along briskly as she could, thinking of little lily disappointed at taking her supper without her, and of her own disappointment at carrying with her two shillings short of the money she had looked for. Only two shillings? Yes, but the comparatively little sum was much to this poor girl, so much that the absence of it from her little port-monnais made the cold air which pierced her scant cloak seem more stinging to her, the good hoping heart within her breast less light. She had proceeded but a few squares, when a gentleman about passing turned and looked in her face, then paused and joined her. It was young Ralph Barrett. Miss Ross, is it possible, he said, so late, and I expect to quite far from your home. In as few words as possible Mabel, who had slackened her pace, explained that she had been detained, then adding that she was in much haste, endeavored to pass on. Young Barrett, however, either did not perceive her desire to avoid him, or chose to disregard it, for he quickened his steps with her own, and remarked that there was no occasion to distress herself by so much haste, as he would certainly accompany her home. There is no need, Mabel coldly rejoined, abruptly pausing. Indeed, Mr. Barrett, I insist that you go no further with me. Ralph began something about her long walk, and the lateness of the hour, but Mabel interrupted him. You forget, Mr. Barrett, she said, that I am but a poor sewing-girl, and that, like others, I must get accustomed to such inconveniences. I beg you will leave me. Pray, let me accompany you! He rejoined quite earnestly. I have been wishing to learn your residence on account of my mother. I believe she wishes to write, to send to you. Mabel stopped once more, and said, in a tone so firm as to admit of no further question, I shall certainly continue my walk alone, Mr. Barrett. I insist, too, that you do not follow me. With these words said she hurried forward, infinitely relieved to perceive no footsteps in her wake. The Thursday week came round, and Mabel went to visit Mrs. Graith. She had been able to procure but very little sewing in the meanwhile, so little that the hope of this lady failing her, she knew not from whence was to come money for the next coal, in a day or two wanting, or to keep herself and Hilda in the bread and potatoes, long their only fare, or worse than all, poor little Lily in the medicine and food necessary for her existence. Hilda had been rather more successful than herself, for through the efforts of Mrs. Powers, she had been kept in a tolerably good supply of coarser work, such as her old landlady could procure from her own humble friends. The lady president was in her library at the time of Mabel's coming, engaged in writing up minutes of the last meeting of the Society of the Ladies of Chicago for promotion of honest industry, the secretary of that society being indisposed. Into that apartment, her name having first been carried to Mrs. Graith by the servant, Mabel was shown. The lady president sat formally at her secretary, her gold pen in her hand, quite a formidable number of business-like-looking blank books before her, and an expression of severity on her countenance that made it appear yet more forbidding than upon the occasion of Mabel's former visit. From the moment her cold, stern eye fell upon the young sewing-girl, all hope of receiving the aid she so much needed deserted poor Mabel. This was crushing enough, but she was unprepared for the more crushing decision to which the judicious committee which had considered her case had come. It had been said that the lady president cast a stern eye upon her young visitor. She accompanied the look with no word, only resting her hand with the gold pen in a way that seemed to promise some words should presently follow, and bracing her form to a yet more rigid formality. Perhaps she was mercifully unwilling that the whole weight of her condemnation should fall at once upon its victim, and thus gave Mabel opportunity to surmise from her look what was to follow. It was Mabel who first spoke. You said I might call again in a couple of weeks, Mrs. Graith. Yes, and I am glad you have come. The sooner so painful a business has gotten through with the better. Mabel Ross, and the voice of the lady president, took a declamatory tone. For two weeks the valuable time of the members of our society has been taken up in investigating the character of yourself and your sister, and in looking into the surroundings of your present position. Fortunately for the prevention of further time being wasted on objects entirely unworthy our humane consideration, a discovery has, at this early stage, been made which settles further question. You were seen on the evening of Tuesday week by two persons of undoubted veracity in company with a young man named Ralph Barrett, and as this young man's character is quite below a questionable one, and he also occupies a position in wealth and society which makes it impossible he should seek your company with any justifiable motive. Your being seen together is quite enough to stigmatize you as entirely unworthy the patronage of the society of the ladies of Chicago for promotion of honest industry. For a moment the unhappy Mabel was so discomposed by this turning to her discredit the annoyance to which she had been subjected by young Barrett that she was without power to speak. Soon as she could in a manner recover herself, she hastened to make explanation of the facts as they were, her face pale and her voice trembling with agitation. Believe me, the facts are just as I have stated," she said in conclusion, and, had the persons who saw me in company with Mr. Barrett taken the trouble to observe a little more as, oh, surely they should have done when the character of a poor girl was at stake. They would have learned that I considered his joining me an intrusion, and that I positively prohibited his accompanying me further.  Like many another, you have been enticed by the notice of a young man of means, like Ralph Barrett, and believed he thought of elevating you to his own position. Vanity, and a wish to get above the cares of a sewing-girl, have induced you to encourage advances positively ruinous to your reputation. Oh, don't, don't judge me so harshly, exclaimed poor Mabel. I assure you, from the hour of my dear mother's death I have had no thought but to make an honest livelihood for myself and those dependent on me, and to set a fair example to my younger sisters. Think this over again, Mrs. Graith, and in mercy give me the work I so much need. You have a daughter of your own. Some chance might impoverish her, as I and my sisters have been impoverished. You would wish strangers to look kindly upon her. Rich or poor, my daughter could never be tempted to make a companion of a young man of the character of Ralph Barrett, proudly rejoined Mrs. Graith. Though unable, through the duties of my office, to personally attend to her training, I have placed her in hands I can confidently rely on. The lady you saw her with is her governess. Madame Jean-voix, and a person of the highest principles and refinement of character, don't speak to me of my daughter Mabel Ross, for there are no circumstances which could place her in a position parallel to the one you occupy at present. Notwithstanding the crushing weight of this reply, Mabel's despair gave her courage to try one more appeal to the obdurate lady. Mrs. Graith, you say you don't think any positive ill of me, she said. Can you not then give me aid, if not for myself, for the poor child, God knows, perhaps dying, who at five years old is helpless as a babe and altogether dependent on my efforts. I see your Bible beside you, ma'am, and you tell me your society is for the encouragement of virtue among the suffering and needy. Only then you are a good woman, and a good woman must feel for those suffering as we are. Think of the little sister left me by a dying mother, that child's suffering in a way terrible to see, and with a near prospect of being without a home and without the necessaries of life. Think of her only, think not of me, and surely, surely, you will see that, even were I the vicious person you acknowledge you do not think me, that child claims your pity as a Christian woman. I have but two shillings for present use, and no immediate prospect of getting more. My rent will soon be due, my little coal is almost exhausted, but two shillings are between us all and want of bread. Give me, oh, give me work, Mrs. Greith, in mercy, and to prevent such misery as you know not of. Give me work!" Mrs. Greith was shaken out of none of her rigidity by this appeal. What more she said was to prove her still inexorable. The committee had considered the case, and the ladies of the society never went back, as the lady president expressed it over a decision. We do nothing in a hurry. She said, we act discreetly, and make sure of our ground before we act, and to change our decision would imply that we have acted with injudicious haste. Yours may be a hard case, Mabel Ross, but not harder than a great many others that come under our notice, and that we have to deal with according to our laws and by-laws. The members of the society of the ladies of Chicago for promotion of honest industry will be firm to their principles whatever individual suffering may be the result. How Mabel got home she scarcely knew, but arrived there she threw her arms about the neck of Hilda, and gave way to the tears until now suppressed. Hilda was almost frightened to see her patiently abiding sister acting in a manner so contrary to her usual habit. Through soothing and questioning she presently drew from the weeping girl the cause of her distress. She's a cruel, hard-hearted, hypocritical, and selfishly absurd woman, Hilda exclaimed, forgetting in her indignation that moderation of speech she had resolved upon. I expected no help from her in her society, but never dreamed of such an affront as this.  What I think so hard, sobbed poor Mabel, is that, though she allowed she doesn't think really ill of me, she wouldn't give me work, even for the sake of our poor Lily. Oh, Hilda, what an unhappy chance was Ralph Barrett's meeting me that Tuesday evening, but for that I should have got plenty of work and all would have gone well with us. Another wrong to lay to the score of the Barrett's, exclaimed Hilda. You look reprovingly, Mabel, but I'm too new and self-disciplined to be always prepared with the right words. Perhaps this Ralph Barrett has meant no harm. Perhaps his mother is not the selfish, hard woman she seems. But appearances are against them, and I can't help but see it and feel it. Mabel had ceased her weeping. She placed her hand gently on that of Hilda. Say or feel nothing, dear Hilda, that looks like bearing malice or ill-will, she said. If they have meant us wrong, there is another than us to take count of it. Oh, my sister, we are so momentarily at God's mercy, looking so anxiously each hour for his help. Let us do nothing that may lessen his pity for us, that may tempt him, for our chastisement, to let the burden press yet harder upon us. CHAPTER 37 The Wolf at the Door Day upon day of anxious care, not knowing from whence the bread of the morrow was to come, a little lessening of the weight at the heart through getting of some little work, which in turn was to bring some little money. The investment of that little money in coal, which, for a time, would keep off the pinching cold, or in bread, which, for a time, would keep off pinching hunger. So sped the days of Mabel and Hilda, each striving in affection to keep up the hope and lessen the burden of the other, both uniting in efforts to relieve the misery of the helpless child, whose hours of pain were rendered more trying through new privations. One morning Mabel had remained from home longer than she now often did. When she returned it was with a bundle of linen under her arm. Work! exclaimed Hilda. Oh, Mabel! How well that is! Just when we want it more, oh, yes, more than ever! We are not the only ones suffering, Hilda! Mabel said, as she put off her hat and cloak, I have been to Cousin Algins. Hilda looked strangely and ran some crooked stitches in a spread she was quilting. You never got work from there! She observed, not raising her eyes from the spread. No, I got it from Mrs. Willis. I didn't go to Cousin Algins for work, but on account of the distress she is in. This time Hilda ceased her quilting to look up. Yes, Hilda, Cousin Algins is in great grief.  I met the nursery girl and she told me, so I went round at once. They died from the effects of scarlet fever. They were taken ill the evening of the day you were there, and Eva and Kate were taken afterward. Eva and Kate are ill now, dangerously ill. Hilda had become deadly pale. She sat staring at her sister, never so much as moving a finger. Her hands spread out on her work, where she had let them fall. Mabel regarded her in surprise. Liddy and Rose were your favourites, Hilda, she said.  I didn't see Cousin Algins, but Ellen, you remember that good girl, says she never saw even a stricken mother suffer as she does.  Make God spare these two to her. Poor, poor Cousin Algins. Hilda gave a convulsive sob, then suddenly rising, fell trembling on her sister's neck. Oh, Mabel, Mabel, she said. It was only a coincidence, surely, surely it was nothing more. Mabel, say, it was nothing more, I want to hear you say that. What do you mean, Hilda? And Mabel looked anxiously on the agitated face, raised to her own. Explain to me, my sister. Mabel, I said such things to Cousin Algins that morning. I told her how God might visit on her, through her children, her wrongs to us. I was excited, I was angry, she seemed so cold and cruel. And now, Mabel, I feel, oh, I fear, God has replied to my words in this dreadful, dreadful way.  Mabel spoke not a word. She folded her arms closer about the trembling Hilda, and solemnly raised her eyes, looking beyond the confines of that little room to the seat of awful might and justice, where sat the ruler of all. Mabel, Mabel, say something, say you don't think it was that. God is just my sister, just and all-seeing, he needs not to be reminded. No, Mabel, and yet the feeling is here still. She paused for a moment, then added. Rose and Liddy are gone, but two are left yet. Mabel, let us pray God to leave her these two. Pretty Eva, little baby Kate! Hilda's voice had sunk to a whisper, and as she ceased speaking, she dropped on her knees and drew Mabel down beside her. The poor little feet are so cold, Hilda. Have you been down again to the first floor? Before Mrs. Moppet at home, I know she would let us have a little coal. I was down three minutes ago, while you were heating up the water, Mabel. Everything is tightly closed as ever. Little Lily opened her eyes. Mrs. Moppet's not come home yet, she said, and her visitors forgotten us too. No, darling, not forgotten us! And Mabel assumed a tone of cheerfulness she did not feel. You know, we heard she was sick, and that's why she's not been again to see us. I was only sorry about Mrs. Moppet, because I wanted to borrow some coal to keep a better fire going. There's such a bitter night come on, or what we had would have lasted us better. I feel it's cold, said the poor child in a plaintive tone. It's my feet are the worst, Mabel. Mabel put her hands under the covers and rubbed the little feet briskly, and after a while the child said they were easier. They shan't get cold again, Lily dear, said Hilda, for I'll lie quite close and keep them warm. She threw herself upon the bed, and, clasping Lily's feet under the covers, pressed them closely to her breast. There's one thing, Mabel, she whispered.  Yes, was the whispered reply, with an uneasy glance at the child who had again closed her eyes. There is mercy in the change. It is little more than six o'clock to be sure, but early or late he will scarcely want to be abroad such a night. We're clearer of him for this time, Mabel, that little money you've been saving for him will go for coal and bread to-morrow. He'd not have taken it anyway, for he refused twice as much last month. But it would have been something to offer him, replied Mabel, and then we could have let him take the carpet for what it is worth. It's worth the full rent, Mabel, yet no one would give us a dollar for it. He'd not let it stand against a dollar of the rent. But there's one thing I've wondered it you're not parting with, either in pawn or to sell, and Hilda turned her eyes to the sewing machine, which stood carefully covered in the corner of the room. The thought of that has been in my mind a hundred times, Hilda. We cannot part with it. To pawn it would be to part with it forever for the mirrors to trifle. We are too poor to redeem anything, remember the watch. Its sale would but bring us a trifle, too, when compared with the price paid for it, ten, fifteen dollars at most. Then, though out of use at present, it is our stock in trade and an important one. Lily may get better. We may be able to use it. No, Hilda, we cannot part with our sewing machine. Hilda suddenly raised her finger. There was a sound below. It was the street door opening, and it presently closed again, after which all was quiet as before. The sisters had exchanged an anxious glance, but the quiet reassured them. It must be Mrs. Moppet's got back. Whispered Hilda, drawing a long breath, I think I just heard her door unlocking. You will presently go down and see, Hilda. You think she has coal? Oh, I'm quite sure of it. She got in a supply just before I missed her. A minute or two passed, and Hilda was thinking at about time to make a visit below for the coal, when, without preliminary of any sort, there came a faint wrap at the door of the room. Mabel and Hilda started and exchanged another anxious look, while little Lily reopened her eyes and glanced uneasily from one to the other. It was not at all like the wolf, yet thought of him was apparent in the mind of each. Indeed, Mrs. Moppet, if returned, was disabled through her lameness from mounting the steep stairs. Who then could it be but the house agent? No second wrap followed, but the door presently opened and closed again, having given entrance to the quaint little figure of the first-floor visitor. With a warm welcome Mabel hurried forward and took her hand, while Hilda, from her position at Lily's feet, held out hers, and Lily made an effort to do the same. My good little sister-mother! exclaimed the newcomer, pressing Mabel's hand to her breast. You look pleased to see me. I am, we are all pleased, Mabel replied, returning the pressure of the thin, wasted fingers, more thin and wasted than when she had last held them, as was also the pale face that looked mildly out from the old-fashioned bonnet.  And how is it with the child, sister-mother? And she drew near the bed and bent over little Lily. The question needed no word of answer. The wasted face and sunken eyes that met the look of the visitor told how it fared with Lily.   Yes, darling, I was sick. The visitor replied, sick almost from the time I first came to you. She added, turning to Mabel, Mrs. Moppet has been with me. She always comes to me when I am not well. I might have left home any time to-day, but meant to put it off till to-morrow when I'd feel stronger. But this evening I got tidings of the child being worse.  So I thought I must come, though it was late and cold. I seemed to feel I must be here this night, that no put off till to-morrow would do. And so, well, and so I came, and Mrs. Moppet came with me. She thought it best for me to stay, but since I must come she came along. Hilda here gave a questioning glance to Mabel, then explained that they were without coal, and that they had thought of borrowing some from their neighbor below. Their visitor had taken the chair by Lily's pillow, presented by Mabel, and appeared to have subsided into a dreamy state, her eyes fixed on the face of the child, whose hand she held in her own. She didn't seem immediately to gather Hilda's meaning, but presently turned round, and with a hasty glance at the two sisters, passed her hand several times over her brow. I am wrong, so wrong, she said, with a touch of energy such as they had not yet seen in her. I dream and don't act. You mustn't think me unkind. It's the one thought, you know, always here, touching her forehead again, the failing babe and its mother. I know it all so well. It doesn't seem to give me time to do what I want, what I've thought of. I came out to-night because something seemed to say to me, the child and its sister mother were sorely wanting me, yet here I am, and I don't. She got up, and walked quite briskly the length of the room, her hand on her brow. Go to her, she then said, stopping suddenly before Hilda. Go to Mrs. Moppet, and she will give you coal. Tell her I bid her let you have it. Get as much as you want. I shall get but little, Hilda replied, with an embarrassed glance at Mabel, only enough to keep poor little Lily from suffering this cold night. We're very poor. Our last money will go for coal tomorrow, but Mrs. Moppet shall be paid back. Don't think about that. Rejoined the little woman rather quickly. You must warm the room.  You're poor? Yes, to be sure. They told me that, yet I forgot.  She resumed the place she had left beside the bed, and again took the little wasted hand in her own. Lily opened her eyes, murmured something about good angels, and closed them again. Hilda looked at Mabel. A suspicion had been gaining ground with the former concerning their friendly visitor, and she read in the countenance of her sister, confirmation of the thought. The little woman was certainly not in her right mind. Hilda then took an old basket from a corner, and left the room with it to procure the proposed loan of coal from the first floor lodger. She had not proceeded half-way down the stairs, however, Mabel meanwhile supplying the languishing fire from the little that remained of their coal, when the house-door was heard to open and close violently, so violently that Mabel heard it through the rattling she was making at the stove, and suddenly ceased her labours. As she turned to the door of the room, poor Hilda hurried in again, having hastened back at the first sound of the front door opening. Throwing the basket from her into the corner, the terrified girl, for this coming of the house-agent it could be no other than he, when her mind had been relieved of present thought of him, had put poor Hilda into a paroxysm of alarm, caught Mabel by the hand, and with her hurried to the bed-side. What is it? questioned their visitor, looking up in a half-dreamy way. Who is coming? The wolf cried Hilda, and she threw herself across the feet of little Lily. This unexpected reply seemed considerably to arouse the visitor. Glancing from the feeble little figure on the bed to Mabel, she said, Tell me what this means. Is it someone you're afraid of? Oh, yes, yes, Mabel replied. It is our cruel landlord, David Brumbly. We haven't the rent for him. He has threatened to turn us out. He'll take my bed, he'll put me out in the cold, shrieked poor little Lily. Meanwhile the shuffling tread of the house-agent could distinctly be heard ascending the stairs, with now and then a smothered oath as he tripped or stumbled in the dark. Having risen from her place by Lily, the visitor whispered some soothing words to the terrified child, and then, with a look of resolution and composure, put out a hand reassuringly to each of the young girls.   Turning to Hilda, I will stand between this man and you, between him and the darling babe. My head is not very clear for business, she added, passing her hand again over her brow, but when I see it must be done, I can even drive this wolf from your door. He comes now. Stand back, both of you, and let me face him. As she spoke the door opened, and the ugly countenance and warped form of the house-agent appeared on the threshold.  Sudden and complete was the change which followed in the whole appearance of the man, the look of fierceness faded from his eye, the smile of malice from his lip, and abject and deprecatory submission expressed itself in the whole of the outer Brumbly, from the old pinched hat, which he hurriedly removed from his head, to the termination of the turned-in nether limbs, every inch seemed to say he was really too humble an individual to be severely dealt with. What are you here for, David Brumbly? Were the first words addressed to him by the eccentric visitor, very calmly, yet in a tone that must have assured the sisters that the speaker had the power to call him to an account, and was quite resolved to do it? Only doing my duty, Mrs. Strand, abjectly replied the man, really a most distressing duty, I for one. And who has made it your duty to molest sick babies and suffering girls? On the contrary, have I not often cautioned you to deal with such leniently and mercifully? David Brumbly, you have deceived me.  You stand convicted at last.  With a course you had no law to sustain you in, and that if you had, you well knew I would never sanction. You have threatened to turn this poor, crippled babe from her home to take the very bed she lay upon. You have agonized two poor, struggling girls with fear of seeing a dying sister molested. David Brumbly, did you dare do this and not believe in all ruling God must avenge on you the crime? Rather hard language that, Mrs. Strand, for a man simply in performance of his duty, observed Brumbly, rallying somewhat. I tell you, if one in my position don't hold a tight reign sometimes, he's likely to come out short in his accounts at the end of the year. When was I so strict in your accounts as to force you to acts of oppression? inquired Barbara. When have I ceased to say to you, above all others, be gentle with poor young women and babes? No, no, David Brumbly, you have made cruel threats, and you would have done the cruel things you threatened, thinking Barbara Strand was weak and forgetful and would take no count of your misdeeds? That all power and right had centered in your own hands, and you might abuse it as your bad heart bade you. But there is an end to all this, now. God, forgive me that I have let it go on so long. I have aroused myself a second time. You remember the first, and how you begged off with solemn promises never again to slight my injunctions to mercy? And this arousing shall be to the good of many, it can be to the disappointment of one only. You wouldn't do it, Barbara Strand, you wouldn't. Yes, I would. I would take from the hands of a bad man power to do evil. David Brumbly, to-morrow you will make out your accounts, and the next day hand them over to me. From that time all business matters between us are at an end. And is this the reward for my long services? wind the deposed house agent. I have been a faithful servant to you, Barbara Strand. I, for one, have looked more closely to my employer's interests than my own. Barbara waved her hand for him to leave. The wine suddenly changed to a growl.  There's no right or justice in this. I, for one, say it's a cruelly unjust act. Again Barbara waved her hand. Till Wednesday morning there is nothing further between us, she said. You have breathed too long the atmosphere of innocence that is around these poor orphan children. Go! and she pointed peremptorily to the door. Only another quirk of an addled brain, sneered Brumbly in a loud aside as he shuffled to the door. The moon is at its full to-night. Most likely daylight will dispel the fancy. Barbara vouchsafed no reply, but remained quite silent until the door had closed upon the unwelcome visitor. Then, turning to Mabel, who, with her sisters, had witnessed with mingled feelings the singular interview, she said. Little sister mother, you will see your wolf no more. Compose your babe with promise of this. Tell her that old Barbara Strand will try, so God wills it, to be the good angel to her and hers that she has so sweetly called her. And now, she added, interrupting the thanks of both the sisters, you must tell me more about that story of wrong I heard from Mrs. Moppet. I heard it before I first came to you, and meant to speak of it then, for, if I mistake not, I know a way to aid you. I forgot it. Forgot it because my thoughts were all on the babe, but it's not too late for it yet. Not too late to write the poor and the fatherless? Tonight I shall remain with Mrs. Moppet, and early to-morrow you must come down and tell me the story. Mabel glanced at Hilda. She had herself no clue to this story Barbara spoke of, but Hilda might have. Of course she was right, Hilda had. It was I spoke about it to Mrs. Moppet, said the latter, a sudden glow on her cheek. I will come down to you to-morrow, Mrs. Strand. I will tell you everything. Then I will leave you, rejoined Barbara.  That man was partly right, though not in the way he meant. Tomorrow may bring back my dreamy way, for it's not often I can shake it off as now, but there was a time when Barbara's head was good at business matters as many a man's. And even now may be, when she rouses herself, she can cope with a David Brumbly or a Hugh Kingsley, little sister-mother, and she gently took Mabel's hand. Brighter days may be dawning for you. If God does not see fit to leave you, your sweet babe, he may at least so ordain it that the little light shall flicker its last in a home of comfort and peace. Weep no more. It is a merciful one has you in his hand, and he has tried you and not found you wanting. What more he calls on you to bear. He will give you strength to bear. She pressed the hand of Mabel and Hilda, bent for a moment dreamily over the pillow of little Lily, then slipped quietly from the room. When Hilda went down, next morning, to the first floor, it was with her story, her long withheld mystery, confided to the ear of Mabel. She could tell it to her sister now, for it was now not only unexpectedly brought forward again, and in her presence, but under circumstances which seemed to promise the age she had one time vainly looked for. Her faith was strong in Barbara Strand. The eccentricities of the little woman were plain to all, and the discomforted brumbly had hinted at something more than eccentricities. Yet there was that about her which inspired confidence, and Hilda felt assured some good would result from the interview to which she was invited. Upon entering the room of Mrs. Moppet, the young girl found Barbara rocking herself in the big chair of her hostess, and undoubtedly under partial influence of that dreaminess which at most times obscured her powers of observation and action. The appearing of Hilda, however, served considerably to arouse her, and it was not long before she was giving evidence of all the interest and energy she had exhibited the evening before. The story Hilda related to her shall be given in the young girl's own words, but without the remarks and questions with which Barbara occasionally interrupted it. The fourth of July last I was living with my cousin Kingsley. It was warm in the evening and I sat in the summer-house. Cousin Hugh and Cousin Algin walked in the garden, back and forth by the summer-house, and before I could think whether they cared to have me hear them talk, they had said things I knew they never meant me to hear, but those things were much to me and my sisters, and I couldn't do less than hear all I could. They were talking about a paper, a paper that Cousin Algin was wanting Cousin Hugh to destroy, but that he said he never could destroy. He said it had existed years without discovery and was just as safe from discovery now as though it had been put in the flames or torn into a thousand pieces, and that while it was still in existence he felt less reproached to himself. She might not quite understand this, he said, but he did. It was a matter of feeling and he couldn't get over it. Little by little, as the talk went on, I came to understand all about this paper, and that is what I must explain now. My great-uncle, Godfrey Foreman, brought up Father and Cousin Hugh, who were both his nephews. Father was the oldest and his favourite. He was away when Uncle Godfrey died. Uncle died suddenly from the effect of an accident. And didn't know that, through some cause, Uncle was much displeased with him. After Uncle's death there was found a will leaving all his fortune to Cousin Hugh. Cousin Hugh sought to the settlement of the estate, and when Father came home, a while after, he gave him some books that had been Uncle's and that he believed Father would think much of. The books had been put by in a box, and among them Father found a bundle of letters written by himself to his Uncle when a boy at school. Father was so much pleased that Uncle had preserved these letters that he wouldn't himself destroy them, but put them by, as they were, in his desk. He mentioned to Cousin Hugh how pleased he was to have them, and Cousin said he had not himself come across them, but he was glad they had, by some chance, gotten into the box, and come to Father's hand. Cousin Hugh would never have said that if he had known. Now Uncle Godfrey had written a paper to say how. Having discovered that misrepresentations had been made him about Father, he returned to his first intention of dividing his property equally between his two nephews according to an old will, the signers and witnesses of which were all living. I heard Cousin Hugh myself say, that evening of the fourth, that this paper did away with the new will, though it wasn't gotten out in form, because of poor Uncle's meeting with the accident so soon after. I mean the accident that caused his death. He never was himself after the hurt, and that is the reason he didn't do anything to set the matter of the will's right. This very paper was tied up with the bundle of letters Father had found, but as he never came across it, it is plain he only looked at the first letter or two of the package to make sure what they were. But after poor Father's death, Mother untied the package. Cousin Algin was by when she did it, and heard her say she would never part with them. She said this as she tied up the parcel again, and we all heard her say it. There was the paper among the letters, but she didn't notice it. Maybe because she was crying so hard. Cousin Algin noticed it, though, but it seems she didn't think anything of it at the time. Afterward she mentioned it to Cousin Hugh, and they got uneasy about it, because Cousin Algin fancied, even at the distance across the table where she sat from Mother, she recognized Uncle Godfrey's handwriting. Well, they never forgot that paper, and Cousin Algin took care to get hold of it with the letters at the time of Dear Mother's death. When I learned from their talk how it had never been destroyed, I looked for it in Cousin Hugh's secretary. But neither paper nor letters were there. Ever after that it was my wonder what Cousin Hugh could have done with them, and I always seemed to feel as if I was to find them out and bring the papers to light. One day, when things had got almost at their worst with us, I became sort of desperate, and went to Cousin Algin herself, and told her all I knew. Here Hilda followed with the relation of her visit to Mrs. Kingsley, her disappointment, and her after-visit to her father's old friend, the lawyer. My hopes died out after that, she continued. I felt that law and justice were in this matter so very far apart that they could never come together. If I have had a hope in all this time, it has been that, at some future day, my cousins would feel remorseful for what they had done, and make willing restitution to us. But there is no thought of that now.  Yet, far as I can learn, it has in no way softened their hearts. They know of our poverty and our suffering, yet they do nothing for us. The better way, for all, would be that this willing restitution shall be made. Very gravely said Barbara, as Hilda came to a termination of her story. But with poor young creatures suffering as you are all suffering now, it must be left to no slow working of good in the hearts of those too to bring it about. Knowledge that our sin is discovered is a strong spur to remorse, and with remorse comes the wish to return upon the past. I know something of your cousin Hugh Kingsley, and believe a plan I have thought of, may bring all right, without the delay or distress of a course of law, and I must be seeing about it now. She added, rising briskly, too much depends on the doings of this morning to permit Barbara Strand to sit idly in the warmth of this fire, though good Dorothy Moppet has piled on the coal to make it tempting. She put on her quaint old bonnet and wrapped her cloak about her, then stood hesitating her eye upon Hilda. No, I won't, she then said. I'll not venture, as I would wish, to take a look before I go at the poor babe upstairs. It's a thing that sets me dreaming, and when I have acting to do I must put dreaming far from me. Tell them, she added, I go to do all I can for them, and that when I come back I will see them. Then the work will be put into other hands, and if a touch of her weakness comes over old Barbara it can do no one hurt. End of Chapter thirty-eight. Chapter thirty-nine of Mabel Ross The Sewing Girl. This LibriVox recording is in the public domain. Chapter thirty-nine. Law and Justice As Mr. Theodore Trowbridge sat in his office that morning, Barbara Strand presented herself before him. If a visit from the little woman was unlooked for on that particular day, the manner of her reception proved her no stranger to the lawyer. In fact, Mr. Trowbridge was the person to whom were entrusted all Barbara's business matters, and consequently an acquaintance was tolerably well established on both sides. But a little matter of surprise presented itself soon after her coming for all that. A little matter of surprise to the gentleman, for in this manner quite new in his experience of his client, that is, new for its liveliness and energy, Barbara made request for a private interview. Mr. Trowbridge readily granted the request, and they having entered together the former's sanctum sanctorum, a conference took place between them, the particulars of which will be known in due season. Before Barbara left, a note was written by the lawyer, and entrusted by him to his briscus clerk for immediate delivery. That will bring Kingsley to me within the hour. Then very gravely observe Mr. Trowbridge, and I will proceed in the business exactly as you have suggested, Mrs. Strand. Whatever the result may be, I will write you fully concerning it before the day closes. In less than an hour after Barbara left the office, Mr. Kingsley entered it. The task Barbara's friend had undertaken was a peculiarly delicate one, and he entered upon it in a manner that showed him duly sensible of this fact, and also that it was one that must be accomplished with firmness and decision. Not only had Mr. Kingsley been his friend and client for many years, but the late Mr. Godfrey Foreman, the uncle alluded to by Hilda, had been so likewise. The will, which left the entire property of this gentleman to his younger nephew, had been drawn up and witnessed by Mr. Trowbridge, as was also the one of anterior date, which made an equal division of the uncle's fortune between his two young relatives. In as concise a manner as possible Mr. Trowbridge opened the business of his summons to his client, by informing him of the discovery made, or supposed to be made, by Hilda Ross. Mr. Kingsley exhibited a great deal of agitation from the moment of the subject being touched upon. My wife said something to me about a visit of this deluded girl on the matter you mention, he said in reply. But my mind has been in no condition to think of it, nor has Mrs. Kingsley's. I am an afflicted man, Mr. Trowbridge. I have left at home ill, the last of my four cherished darlings, my little girls, who were my pride and hope and their mothers. I am in no condition for a business of this sort. I did not suppose it was for a matter to add to my discomfort you sent for me. It must wait another time. It cannot wait, calmly rejoined the lawyer. If you have sorrow in your home, Kingsley, so have your young cousins and theirs. They have poverty, they have illness, they have loss. I have undertaken to look into this matter for those orphaned children and must do it. The whole thing is the vagary of a foolish girl, said Mr. Kingsley quickly. You would only waste your time upon it. It may be so, only a vagary, as you say, but you owe it to yourself to prove it. Prove it to whom? asked Mr. Kingsley with an effort to rally. Can one reason with, or prove to, a poor, demented girl? Prove it to me, Kingsley. In my possession I believe is the very package of letters referred to.  In your presence, let this parcel be examined. It will speak for itself. If no such paper be there, the matter must drop, and I have done my duty. If, on the contrary, the paper spoken of be found among the letters, you will do yours. Mr. Kingsley crossed the room with an agitated step. Give me ten minutes to speak to my wife, Mr. Trowbridge. He then said, pausing before the other. Mr. Trowbridge gravely shook his head. Take no counsel, he replied, but from your own heart. Act as you would do if to-morrow, in place of bringing you every promise of life and health, we're surely bringing you but a few hours in which to end your worldly accounts. In face of such a to-morrow, how would you act to-day? Mr. Kingsley looked away from his companion, his lips trembling, and his features ashy pale. Then, sinking on the sofa where he had sat before, he buried his hand in his folded arms. Mr. Trowbridge said not a word. He left the aroused conscience to work its own way. Five or ten minutes thus past, the heavy respirations of the suffering man being all the sound that broke the quiet of the room. Then, raising his head, Mr. Kingsley looked firmly and regretfully in the eyes of his old friend. Mr. Trowbridge, he said, if I have been brought to the determination I have now made through a voluntary motion of my own, I would be an easier-minded man at this minute than I have been from the evil hour I was tempted to conceal the existence of that paper. God knows that I have suffered for the wrong. He knows, too, whether it was for that he has brought upon me the crushing grief I bear this day, even as it is, forced by necessity to make reparation to these poor girls. I feel already relief of a dead weight here, striking his breast. Bring out the letters, and we will look them over. Mr. Trowbridge silently brought them to the table where together they seated themselves. Let me have them, said Mr. Kingsley, taking up the still-sealed package. You need not fear to trust me now, Mr. Trowbridge, if all could again be as it was, I would bring forth the paper. The seals were broken, and then appeared a bundle of time-stained letters tied together with a tape. With trembling fingers Mr. Kingsley turned over some half-dozen of the letters and produced from among them a written paper, one half only of a sheet of letter paper. He looked at it for a moment, then placed it in the hand of Mr. Trowbridge. I might have defied you, he said, as he did so. I might have denied the autography of that paper, were it produced against me, and made trouble for the poor girls whose rights it proves. But if I thought to do so, it was but for a moment, and that moment I regret. I have long felt it would come to this, have almost wished it. It is all right, as it is. One thing I will say for myself, he added, and you may believe it is the truth. If that paper had come into my hands at the time of my uncle's death, it would never have been concealed. But possession blinded me to the rights of others. I had owned all so long. I was too greedy to be content with half. Take the paper, and the whole management of it into your own hands, Mr. Trowbridge. I make no reserve of interest on the twenty thousand. All shall be exactly as a court would adjudge it. He paused for a moment, and then added, I might any time have destroyed the paper, but I don't regret I did not. I say it expecting you to believe me, Mr. Trowbridge. And I do, earnestly replied the latter. You are kind, sir, after all this. How will you have it done? inquired the other, after a silence upon the part of each. As a gift to your cousins? No, emphatically replied Mr. Kingsley. I would sink under that. Tell the truth, far as may be. Tell that a will has been discovered setting aside the former one, and sharing my uncle Godfrey's property. I have prospered in my business, as you know, and can well afford this. But had it been that it must ruin me? Would I have dared to complain? I have prospered? No. God has prospered me. Perhaps he has meant to smooth the way for me to make reparation. But I have been stubborn and blind. I have tempted him. His friend made no reply. He was tying up the bundle of letters, having carefully put aside the paper. The person who injured the writer of those letters in the eyes of my uncle believed he was doing me a service. Thoughtfully observed Mr. Kingsley. How short-sighted we are. He was planning for me the temptation and the sorrow of my life. He hesitated, in evident embarrassment, then added, I owe it to my wife to say that, though at one time satisfied to persuade herself, as I did, that my uncle's real wishes were expressed in his second will, she has latterly. Since the visit of poor Hilda Ross, which affected her strangely, more than once suggested that we should, nearly as we could, undo what we had done. Had I listened to her, how much might have been spared me? Spared us both. Tears sown, tears reaped. It was a few weeks after this that, returning from a visit to the good Barbara Strand, Mabel met her friend, Mrs. Higgs. I'm so glad to see you, exclaimed Mrs. Higgs. I've heard all that's happened to you and often thought of you. So a new will was found giving you and your sisters half the Kingsley estate? Mrs. Kingsley herself told a friend of mine about it, and said it was really no matter of distress to her to part with those thousands, as you were all such good girls, and had gone through much trouble. Poor woman. She's had such a time in her family. Only one living out of her four little girls. She told this friend of mine that she holds this one child in fear and trembling. Yes, those were the words in fear and trembling.   Is she going to stay with you all together now? In reply to these two questions, Mabel said that little Lily was no better, and that many would remain with them at least until the return of Mrs. Lemming. Mrs. Higgs still held her hand. She gave it another pressure, and with a sigh abruptly said, I suppose you've heard my daughter Lizzie's married. Mabel replied that she had not heard it, adding some words of congratulation, though she somehow divined from the look and tone of her companion that the latter did not altogether regard the circumstance as one of congratulation. Mrs. Higgs sighed again. Yes, dearie.  It's altogether a most uncomfortable thing, and it's made me and her father miserable as can be. Mr. Thaddeus Ponskiewski.  You know, things ain't in the old-fashioned way now. But girls make plenty of gentlemen acquaintances at boarding schools. Well, well, far as I can see the old-fashioned way was the best one. Soon after I first saw you, Mr. Ponskiewski came to Chicago after Lizzie. He's a splendid looking fellow, no one can deny that. And he made us all believe he was a great somebody or other—a prince or a baron, I believe—and we thought, of course, it was all right, as he'd come from New York City, and the principal of the school let him visit Lizzie there. He stuck to Lizzie's elbow wherever she went, and made a great show of his love for her. And so we gave our consent, and the wedding came off. A grand affair it was, why, you might have seen all about it in the papers. They called it The Great Golden Marriage in High Life—or something of the sort. But all the gold that got it up came from our side of the house, for we've never seen the first yet from our Russian prince. Well, my dear, it's all ended and our finding out he's no prince or baron, but only a New York gambler.  Mr. Higgs is just broken-hearted about it, and so am I, though it's some comfort to know all responsibility about Lizzie was put off my shoulders when her father sent her a little thing to the New York school, where they bring up girls professionally. Well, the only hope we have is that, as Mr. Ponskiewski was plainly dead set on Mr. Higgs's money, when he finds, after a while, that he can't get any of it as his son-in-law, we'll be able to buy him off, as Mr. Higgs calls it, and get poor little Lizzie to ourselves again. Between you and me, I don't believe she'll be a bit sorry, but anyone can see she's not at all happy with him, since the trick he played on us is found out. And besides that, we don't think over well of his habits and his treatment of her.  Well, well, I never did like his having that whiskey in his name. Mabel expressed her regret, adhering this sad fate of the pretty doll. Well, our troubles ain't the only ones, remarked Mrs. Higgs, having given the third sigh. Maybe you know all about Mrs. Gray's daughter? Again Mabel replied in the negative. No? Why, Miss Belinda has run away with young Ralph Barrett. It was all through fault of a French governess that Mrs. Gray thought the world of, but that's turned out no better than she should be. She aided and abetted the whole thing and run off with the young couple herself, taking care to get a quarter salary in advance just the evening before she left. But one of the worst things about the matter is that young Barrett forged a check on his father for a large amount and got it cashed and carried off the money with him. The whole party's gone down south somewhere, where the French governess has a sessesh lover, or husband, or something. Well, well, with our sons and our daughters we have a sad time to be sure. Mothers ain't good enough to bring up their daughters, you see, so to boarding school they must go. While, as the big fortunes made in oil, puts into the heads of all the young people to be rich right off, they try for it one way or another. And if the trying brings disgrace on them, and all belonging to them, why, it's no more than is to be looked for. End of CHAPTER XXI under the mountain ash. The little light was flickering feebly indeed, but not in privation and want, but surrounded by every comfort that means could furnish the little sufferer. Again, in the still night, was the delicate ear of the child soothed by the low tick of the old watch, redeemed from the hands of the pawnbroker. Again was— MOTHER'S WATCH, MOTHER'S WATCH! The music she heard in it. With the cheerful spirit natural to her days of health, little Lily appeared to have forgotten the trials and troubles of latter months, or only to remember them to find greater comfort in the blessings now around her. It's come only for a little while to me, she whispered one day to Mabel, but then I'm so happy to know it's put an end to all the trouble for you and dear Hilda and Minnie. With a tender glance into the tearful eyes turned wistfully upon her, Lily presently added, I'd like to say something more, Mabel dear, only I don't think you like me to talk about it. Say anything you wish, darling. And Mabel wound her arms lovingly about the frail, wasted form of the child, as though to make sure she held now, at least, the thing so dear to her. Well, Mabel, I was going to say that, since you've got plenty of money, you'll be able to put the pretty white stone you and Hilda used to talk about at Mother's and Father's grave. And maybe you'll put a little one for me too, will you, maybe? Then there'll be a beautiful mountain ash for us all. I've been a good deal troubled all along about the mountain ash, because I knew it must cost a good deal of money to put it there, and you didn't have any at all. And I used to dream that some of the good angels we know, maybe the good Barbara, would come of themselves, knowing I wanted it so much, and put it just in the right place over the grass. But you're crying, darling, and I won't talk so any more.  I want to know just what you wish, and it shall be as you say. Well, Mabel, won't it be pleasant, when you and Hilda and Mini see the tree there in the summer time and the fall, with its beautiful red berries, and know your little Lily loved it above every other tree, and begged you to have it just there? It will, my precious.  We'll think of all that, dear Lily. God will give us the consolation. Mabel, after a pause, do you know? Do you suspect? What, my darling? Why I'm wanting to say all this to you now? Yes, dear Lily, that we may know you were not troubled at thought of what must some time come, that we may be comforted when it does come. Yes, that, Mabel, but something more, too. It's because I think, I feel, it will only be a little while now. A sob came near bursting from the loving Mabel, but was checked at the thought of the suffering it would cause the little one. But Hilda, who with many had listened to all from the foot of the bed where they stood, buried her face in her hands, and gave way to the tears she could no longer restrain. Poor, poor Hilda! The little voice was full of pity, and only caused the tears to flow faster. Oh, Lily, if I were but good, like the rest of you, I could bear it better. Dear Hilda, you are good! Hilda uncovered her face, and choked back her tears. If I'm not all bad, Lily, dear, she said, it's because of my having you good ones by me. But I'm going to be better, Lily. I'm going to be more like Mabel. I want you to take a little minute and think of this, Lily, just a little minute. I'm praying always now for a good, strong faith like Mabel, so that when the time comes for me to go to you and mother, I may be worthy. You understand, Lily? I mean those words of mothers that Mabel has often told you to be worthy the home to which we all are going.  You know, Lily? Yes, dear Hilda, because I shall go from you all so soon. And it was soon she went, sooner perhaps than the little one herself thought, for Lily never wakened from the sleep into which she fell an hour or so after this talk with her sisters. Two white stones mark the spot where sleep three of the household, gone before, three taken and three left, and over them blooms the beautiful mountain ash with its glory of scarlet berries, reminding the three who remain of the angel child, who tarried with them here awhile, making purer and better their hearts, than sped to the world of light from sorrow from pain. End of Chapter 41 End of Mabel Ross, The Sewing Girl Recording by Jennifer Fornier, Marshall, Virginia


Yeah, let's talk some cricket now on the Sports Max zone after squeezing into the Republic Bank Caribbean Premier League playoffs, Jamaica Talawaz moved one step closer to the final beating St. Lucia Kings in the Eliminator on Tuesday. The Kings were sent packing after creeping to 125 for nine of their 20 overs led by 40 from Ruston Chase and 19 from Skipper Sikandar Raza. Player of the match Fabian Allen ripped through the Kings lineup grabbing four for 25. Brandon King, who was doubtful ahead of the match because of a groin injury and Raymond Riefer both led the Talawaz run chase with 30 while Alex Hales added 24. Barbadian Seamer Matthew Ford did damage with the ball taking four for 23. But the Talawaz went on to reach 126.45 to win with 16 deliveries to Spear. So we sat at the top of the show, Mariah and Ricardo that the Talawaz are showing themselves to be ready to retain their title having been a little bit dodgy in the group stages. Losing some matches that they would have been disappointed about, but they came good at the right time to make the playoffs and now look strong going in. Yeah, they've come to the party at the right time. They've been playing really aggressive cricket and I love that from them and for them. I will say that in this Talawaz team, we've seen a collective effort. It's not dependent on one person only and I really love that because they're strong with both bat and ball. We saw Chris Green at different points in time getting the wickets for them. Now we have Fabian Allen entering the discussion. We've had Imad Waseem of course getting wickets for the Jamaica Talawaz and with the bat it's anybody's day once they decide to tune up. So I think the Jamaica Talawaz at this point in time is a complete team and all round team and they're looking as the captain said really dangerous. Yeah they're definitely looking really dangerous. This Jamaica Talawaz team and Mariah is right about just the number of players who are stepping up for them. Unlike the game on Sunday where they batted first and piled on the runs. They had to ball first this time around and did a brilliant job of restricting the St. Lucia Kings. Fabian Allen, I love the way he's coming to the party. Fabian Allen is doing at the back end of this tournament what he's in the Talawaz team to do. He's an impact player. He can deliver with a bat. He can deliver with the ball. He can deliver in the field and we've seen all of that this tournament. But at the important moments of this tournament, he's doing it with a greater level of consistency and with greater impact and that's important for the Talawaz. Something that we cannot underestimate from last night's game as well. Sometimes those lower totals can prove challenging because you're not sure how to approach them as a batting side. And yes, you would expect the Talawaz to get 126. Love the celebration Fabian Allen. You would expect the Talawaz to get to 126. But you cannot underestimate what Brandon King and Alex Hales did at the top of the innings. What they did was to take the attack to the St. Lucia Kings. And as far as I'm concerned, almost take the game away from them because of how quickly they scored in the power play. So yes, the Kings were able to get four wickets and the Talawaz were in 90 out for four at one stage. But by then, the work had already been done and it was pretty comfortable for the likes of Raymond Riefer and Iman Wazim to comfortably cruise home. Once you get into a situation in those last 10 overs where you have more balls than runs needed than in T20 cricket. In modern day cricket, it is a cruise. And that's what happened for the Talawaz last night. So overall for me, a quality performance and it sets them up well going into qualifier two on Friday. Yeah, well, two things that the St. Lucia Kings just couldn't manage the Talawaz this season. The Talawaz played undefeated against them all season. And actually were the ones that knocked them out last year in the Eliminator as well. Yes. So the Talawaz will feel confident whenever they see the Kings. And a point was also made that the overseas players for the Talawaz are contributing significantly, more significantly than a lot of other franchises overseas players have been have been so that is another factor that is going the Talawaz way. The overseas players are really playing their part and making making their presence come. Yeah, off the top of my head. I when we think about top performance, a lot of credit goes to those overseas players. Imad with him. We saw him step in as a captain, getting the job done with the bat and the ball. Chris Green has made his presence felt. And as well as Alex Hales, we had Salmon doing some damage to the ball earlier in the season. But the thing thing that I would point that I want to make is that it's a mixed lands because what I like about the international players coming to the Jamaica setup, it's as if they feel really comfortable. They're not outsiders. They've gelled really well. The chemistry between the local and the international players is something that we must make mention of because think about it. They don't play cricket together. You've come into a setup and you know, you have somebody an international player like Imad with him, giving the rules, you know, laying down the set in the field and everything. But nobody's ego is getting in the way. And I love that for the tallowers. Yeah, definitely for sure. And Imad with him has had a good time when he's had the opportunity to captain this tallow aside and talking about the overseas players who have done well. Imad with him has been with this team for a while. And clearly, he is gelled well with this unit as well. But you think about the fact that the number two and number three ballers in the CPL this season are both overseas players and both represent the Jamaica tallowers in a mayor and Chris Green. So that's the type of impact we're talking about with these overseas players and the Jamaica tallowers set up. And then you have Alex Hales with that fabulous century when they needed it on Sunday. Brandon King local now has been consistent all season and Fabian Allen is now coming to the party. And so it's coming together in a really good way for the Jamaica tallowers. But their toughest tests are still to come. And I hope that proves correct. Because if it is still to come, then there's only one match. But if it's are still to come, then they have two and they'll be in the final. Oh, my. It had to be Ricardo. Lance can we continue? The tallowers will of course know their opponents for qualifier to win Ghana, Amazon Wars and bigger. Knight riders clash in qualifier one, which blows off in less than an hour from now. The home team are either six CPL final for a chance to finally lift the trophy. The winners of qualifier one head straight to Sunday's final. While the losers play the tallowers in qualify two on Friday, Ricardo Mariah, can the Amazon Warriors secure their sixth appearance in the final? Well, they're really good at getting to the final. So if you are to ask me on history, then yeah, final seems to be that's where they get to. However, this Ghana Amazon Warriors team, everybody is saying that this is the team that's going to take them across the line. They have a Saeem Ayub who's been really clicking with the bat. He has been brilliant for his team. Shea Hopers. Well, we have to remember that century scored by Shea Hope and they also have players that have been informed because it's one thing to be a big name on paper, but also the Ghana Amazon Warriors have really been clicking. And I think there's an X factor about the team this year. However, they're up against TKR and with TKR they're very, very unpredictable. The names on paper speak for themselves. The players are pure quality. So tonight if it's any CPL match that I'm not missing. So nobody asked me to go out tonight. It's this one. I'm watching this one. I get the feeling that someone has already asked Mariah to go out and that's for a way of telling them absolutely not. Shea Hope, 407 runs for the season. Ayub 357 runs as Mariah pointed out, and they are very important to this Warriors setup. But the Trinbega Knight Riders who I picked from some time ago to go all the way in this season's CPL. For me with the Knight Riders, there is just so much quality there, so much experience there. And when it comes to the Knight Riders, I don't even look at the numbers, because I know that they have a number of match winners in that team. Just take your pick what is going to be Pollard or it's going to be Nicholas Peran or it's going to be Andre Russell. It's going to be Sunil Narayan. They have players that on any night can turn up to the party and take the game away from their opponents. Question is, will they click for another tour of three games to get the job done? They certainly have what it takes to do so, though. Yeah, the fact is, I like I've always liked the TKR, but I'm seeing in the Amazon Warriors game this season, particular season, something that I hadn't seen before. And we've seen them win consistently before and not winning the final. But there's something about their game this year that tells me that they have what it takes to go all the way to win the final. I'm not sure who's going to win tonight. I believe that the loser of tonight's game though will beat the Talawatts. That's my feeling. And the teams that are playing tonight are going to play in the final on Sunday as well. We see you don't have the Talawatts in the final. Pardon? Do you have the Talawatts in the final? No, that's what I'm saying. The Talawatts, the Talawatts will lose qualifier to whoever it is. If there was a Warriors lose the TKR tonight, I think the Warriors will beat the Talawatts. If the TKR lose to the Warriors tonight, I think TKR will beat the Talawatts. Okay. But that's a fair assessment, Lance and Mariah, because in truth, the Knightwriters and the Amazon Warriors have been by some distance, in my opinion. The best teams, this term. The top two teams this campaign. Having said that though, I think, and I'm not disagreeing with you in relation to whoever loses tonight may well beat the Talawatts on Friday. But I think they will get as tough a challenge from the Talawatts as they have gotten for previously.  Whoever it is that loses tonight's match. And so I would say go out and try and get the job done tonight, because although you're going to Friday as favorites, it will not be easy because this is not the same Talawatts team that played midway through the preliminary stage of the competition. T20 cricket is a lot about momentum. There's a momentum factor in a T20 game that, you know, things go wrong for you in two or three overs, and you find it difficult to get yourself back, and your job is derailed. So, you know, while I feel that the TKR and the Amazon Warriors are both better than the Talawatts, I'm not going to sit here and say I'd be shot if the Talawatts beat both of them and win the title, because that's how T20 is. Correct. Yeah, for sure. Well, that match is coming up tonight. The Trinbega Nightriders versus the Ghana Amazon Warriors immediately after the zone. And coming up on at the track on Thursday on the Sportsmax zone, young Trinidad and Tobago Jockey Kimmel Santo, winning the British Columbia-Darby at Hastings Race Track in Canada for his biggest career triumph, plus another massive stakes win in the USA for Barbadian trainer, Satvin Joseph Jr., and the latest stories from Jamaica and Barbados. All this coming up on at the track Thursday during the Sportsmax zone.


Hi everybody, I'm Jamie Skada-Cutaya of JSA and this is your monthly news headlines as fast as we can make them. You want the full story, go ahead and click on the logo over my shoulder. Alright, let's get started. We've been teasing up some big news coming soon out of Vancouver. Have you guessed it? That's right, it's the Spencer Building Carrier Hotel that will connect carriers and customers of all sizes together in the city's newest state-of-the-art carrier hotel. Stay tuned for more at SpencerBuilding.com. And following a recent series of announcements of contract wins in the Middle East, Redline Communications has a few more. They are announcing it's been selected to deploy its award winning virtual fiber technology to deliver high-speed wireless broadband service solutions for one of the largest telecom service providers in the mid-east. Additionally, Redline announcing it's deploying its RDL, 3200 family of rugged-sized, highly secure virtual fiber solutions for a surveillance project that will help ensure the safety and security of citizens, residents, pilgrims, and infrastructure in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Caruso Energy, a company on a mission to align climate goals with the future of computing infrastructure a mission we should all embrace and share. While they just answered the Earth's call for more green solutions with its newly unveiled data center services offering, Caruso's data center services empower customers to gain unmatched environmental benefits without sacrificing that power of modern data centers. Definitely learn more at CarusoDataCenters.com. All right, guys. Telehouse NIACS, one of the largest neutral IXPs on the U.S. east coast and even across the world, announces that UPIX, neutral network operator and global provider of connectivity services, just upgraded its New York NIACS port from 10 gig to 100 gig. UPIX connects within NIACS at 60 Hudson, one of seven major carry hotels in the New York, New Jersey area, where NIACS is present. Data Center Alley, that's right, guys. Data Center Alley continuing its super hot growth trajectory with a new build by Data Bank, the company adding to its already extensive lineup of high-performing data centers by breaking ground on a center in northern Virginia. The new facility, IAD 3, aims to deliver up to 40 megawatts of power to that area. Well done. Prime Data Centers announcing its plans for a second data center at its Sacramento, California campus located at the McClellan Park Business Complex. That's to meet the ever-growing capacity demands for cloud operators, enterprise, social media, content distribution forms, platforms like Zoom, WebEx, spurred on by COVID. And this second facility designed to meet the growing demand in both the Sacramento Metro as well as San Francisco Bay Area with twice the capacity of Prime's existing facility. So exciting stuff there. Congratulations, Prime. Talking exciting news and heading further east, going out of the Asia-Pacific area, we have big news from Big Data Exchange, BDX, on a mission to redefine Data Center power flexibility. BDX launches flexible data halls in its high-density data center, NKG1, located in the heart of bustling Nanjing, China. Apex Premier Data Center, Kolo, and Hybrid Cloud Solutions provider already has that solution running in its other facilities across the sought-after region, including Singapore and Hong Kong. All right, guys. So have you read the headlines yet on the metaverse? Yeah, well, it's changing the way we are socializing, interacting, doing business, you know, sharing knowledge, experiences of all sorts, basically our entire way of communicating. And EdgeConnect, a pioneer in changing the landscaping for Edge Data Center development, understands that significance and implication of how something as mega as the metaverse will not only impact the way data centers operate now, but also in the future. As a matter of fact, in a recent Data Center frontier article, Philip Marangello, the CMO there, stated this, the vision cannot become reality without an infrastructure that extends from core to edge and sustainably scales to deliver this new kind of universe where humans choose to go. Really, a must-read article for the complete article for the complete story, go ahead and click here. And in related news, EdgeConnect is the latest recipient of the Frost and Sullivan competitive strategy leadership award for 2021 that's in recognition of its flexible customer-focused data center solutions. And by the way, guys, this is not just another award, Frost and Sullivan's Best Practices Awards recognizes those that have displayed extraordinary leadership and innovation in their respective industries. So congratulations, EdgeConnect. And LightPath also making good on its goal of increasing the reach and reliability of its all fiber network wherever there is a strong customer demand. The company announcing a second major expansion in the Boston metropolitan area. This adds 50 route miles of network, bringing that total route mile in the Boston metro area to more than 130. Congrats, LightPath. The Atlanta data center also hotter than ever. Server Farm, a global data center operator and leading DMAS provider recently announced it's opened up an additional 110,000 square feet of new capacity at its Atlanta data center, ATL-1. In a move that highlights the company's extensive business model of modernizing underutilized facilities, Server Farm added much needed capacity to the Atlanta region while eliminating the need for a carbon intensive new built. Well done. Consolidated communications, a top 10 fiber provider in the U.S. launching Fidium Fiber, its new gigabit consumer fiber internet brand backed by an all new customer experience. Fidium fiber internet initially rolling out in select markets in northern New England delivering symmetrical gigabit internet to residential customers with no data caps. More info right here. And just a few short months after launching its channel partner program, American Tower already making a string of big news. First up, it's addition of global telecom solutions or GTS. The Detroit based telecommunications cloud services firm now has access to the American Tower data center portfolio that includes six edge data centers and three metro data centers for co-location. Also in the news, American Tower welcoming Colotrack, a global sourcing advisory firm for co-location, managed hosting, cloud and related network services as a technology solutions broker. Colotrack agents now have access to American Tower data centers for providing enterprises with end to end IT services. Well done. And connected to Fiber announcing that CTI towers and operator of over 1200 wireless communication towers across 47 states in the U.S. leveraging the connected world platform now to identify highly valuable clients within CTI's tower property markets and to assist in the company's tower acquisition strategy. Excellent news about fabulous connected to fiber platform. All right, guys as an industry leader in delivering exceptional data center experiences to global enterprises, stream data centers, announcing the addition of Yvonne Deer as its new vice president of hyperscale leasing and development. Deer is extensive experience across hybrid cloud, multi-cloud co-location and hyperscale data center solutions, of course, well in line with this stream strategy. Okay, guys, one last note before we end it. And this is a shout out for all innovators out there. We here at JSA are inviting top thought leaders who are really interested in reducing carbon footprints to come and join us to co-author a book on greener data. So we're looking for like the top 20 innovators on this topic. If you are interested in learning more, go ahead, click here. All right, guys, that is a wrap for your monthly news headlines. As quick as we can make them, I'm Jamie Skidokataya of JSA. As always, stay safe and happy networking. Hope to see you soon at PTC.