Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1892-06-04

s~0AS' 0nu 4uitc WIIuout meauS, boey
say, for he's always been supporting an
old uncle, or some such relation. Folks
are saying the Yardleys ought to pension
him of; but they ain't legally respon-
sible, and 20 one seems willing to do
anything. guess likely he'll have to
go on charity for the res. OF his days, ]
poor fellow!"
"oh-cAantyl" sasped Ed.. "Mr.
Berlin! Oh. that would be dreadfulw
The May sun was shining, yellow and
vivid, oa the white washed walls of the
great, bare looking hospital ward where
Walter Berlin lay, trying to realize the
force of the blow that had come upon
him.
Not thirty yet. and his life career
overl. Surely, surely it must be impos-
siblei
IA letter for NJ. Berlip," said the
head nurse. cheerfully, entering with
the mail-tray.
'Its a mistake" said Berlin, drearily.
There's no one to write to me, since my
old uncle is dead'
"Ttat's 500 Well, here's your name
>on the outside-'Walter Berlin, Esq
So, if it amt for you, who is it for'"
chucked the head nurse.
Slowly and languidly the invalid
opened the letter; but, as he read it,
contents, his eyes frightened, his breath
came quick and fast.
''It must be from old Josiah Yard
ley" said he. He always said be owed
me more than any money compen sation
could repay; but thought he had for
gotten oil about my saving his life that
day Of the gas explosion in the basement
of tue store. And he is In Jupan--and
l can't write to thank him, because he
has left 40 address. A farmland
have always so longed for country life.
Oh, it seems as if existence were begin
ming again for mel l never dreamed that
Josiah Yardley had so kind heart!"
After that day, Walter Berlin improved
rapidly. There was no longer any
question of relapse.
Just a year afterward, Mr.. Berlin sat
on the wide, old-fashioned porch of the
Canada farmhouse, where the shadows OF
the huge, tamarack trees swaYed back
and forth, his crutch on the floor beside
him, the model Of a new variety Of
beehive in his lap.
At the doorstep was Edo Elkins, who
had stopped on her way home from the
postofice.
o"so you are realls willing to take a
poor lame man for husband2' he asked
smiling.
''Haven't l assured you Of that fact
often enough already!' gaily retorted
Eda.
eyes. and can give you a gool home,
now that the small fruit venture has
terminated 80 successfully" sail Berlin,
tenderly taking Eda's hand in his.
"But how strangely everything has
turned outl How surprised was when
I came to Six Rivers to learn that you
were teaching the Indian Mission School
herel How more than surprised when
when I first began to hope that yo'
might find in your heart to care 'or lie,
dear, dear little Eda!"
"Well," said old Scratchall. ga
things have turned out, this madcaE
scheme of Miss Elkins's-Mrs. Berlin's,
mean-is all very we'll. But did think
just at first, that she had taken leave O
her senses. Suppose he'd married SON,
one else7 Why, she'd have lost th'
farm"
But not until Mr.. Yardley, on his le
turn from Japan, stopped day OF tw'
at Six Rivers, to view the famous cas-
cade there, did Walter Berlin ever dis
cover Eda's sweet plot.
= "I2" said Mr. Yardley, pushing hi
spectacles on the very apex OF his bal'
head. Thanking me for the presen
of this house and farm2 Why. ma
alive, had nothing to do with it
Berlin looked across at Ella. Suddc
color sutfu,31 her cheeks. If ever in
uocent guilt betrayed itself in woman
pure face, it was now.
! "Why. Of course!' said Scratcha|
(wno had been invited tc dine at th
farm to meet the traveller from Japan
answering the look on Berlin's face =
: wonder you never suspected it before.