Free Secrets of the Heart by Al Lacy Page B

can do cleaning jobs of all kinds, and…and I can do housekeeping chores. Would the Wilkinsons be interested in my services?”
    The butler shook his head. “No, mum. We have a live-in housekeeper. She does all that is needed.”
    “Oh, I see. Well, thank you, sir.”
    “Yes, mum,” said the butler, closing the door before she had even turned to leave.
    Kathleen held her head high and walked down the long driveway toward the next house.
    As she moved between properties, she was surprised that her mind ran to the soul-shaking experience at the Killanins’ church, and the words Dwight Moody had spoken. Moving her lips without sound, Kathleen said, “But if Jesus loved me enough to suffer and die on the cross for me, why didn’t He love me enough to keep my family from dying?”
    The sign at the next gate announced that the Alfred Morleys lived there.
    The pain of losing her family was sharp in Kathleen’s heart as she stepped up on the huge porch and lifted the knocker. When there was no response after several seconds, she lifted the knocker again. This time there were light footsteps. When the door opened, a middle-aged woman, dressed in an expensive dress and wearing flashy jewelry, looked at Kathleen with disdain and said, “What is it?”
    “Are…are you Mrs. Morley?”
    “Yes. And we don’t give handouts.”
    Kathleen glanced down at her shabby coat, then back at the woman. “Oh, I’m not asking for a handout, Mrs. Morley, I’m looking for work. You see, my entire family died in the fire a week ago yesterday, and I’m all alone. I can do cleaning jobs and household chores. I’m willing to—”
    The door slammed in her face.
    Kathleen headed for the next house. Her shoes were hurting her feet, but it didn’t come close to the pain in her heart.
    By early afternoon, Kathleen had knocked on thirty-one doors. A few people were kind when they turned her down, but most were curt, as if her presence on their doorstep was an offense to them.
    Before starting on another street, Kathleen sat down on a tree stump and took off her shoes. The raw wind bit through her stockings as she rubbed her aching feet. “Papa, Mama…” she said, her voice breaking, “I need you.”
    She wept for a few minutes, then slipped her shoes back on. Asshe was tying the laces, a fancy carriage drove by. A young man with sandy hair was at the reins, and riding alone. He smiled at her, tipped his hat, and drove on.
    Kathleen finished tying her shoes, wiped her tears, and said, “Well, at least a few people in this neighborhood are friendly. All right, Miss O’Malley, let’s see what you can find in this block.”

K ATHLEEN COVERED FOUR MORE BLOCKS on one side of the street, and after rejections at every house she leaned against a large oak tree and wept. Her feet were hurting too much to go on. She would find a place to sit down, rub her feet good, then head home.
    Through her tears, Kathleen looked up the street and saw the fancy carriage that had passed by earlier, the one with the handsome young man at the reins. The carriage was pulling out of the driveway of a large, beautiful brick house a block away. It turned her direction as the driver put the horse to a trot.
    Kathleen quickly dried the tears from her cheeks.
    The same young man was driving the carriage, and he was alone. He pulled rein when he saw Kathleen. When the carriage had come to a complete stop, he smiled down at her and said, “I saw you earlier today, didn’t I?”
    “Yes. I was several blocks over that way.”
    “Are you looking for some particular address I could help you find?”
    Kathleen looked down at her worn and faded clothing and felt unworthy to be greeted by such a well-dressed and obviously wealthy man. “Ah…no sir, thank you. I…ah…I’m just enjoying a nice walk.”
    “Oh. All right. Well, I hope you enjoy it.”
    Kathleen managed a half-smile.
    The handsome young man tipped his hat, clucked to the horse, and drove away.
    Kathleen