The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1892-05-18

no matter who was the loser or who
the gamer"
"Oh, don't think Alice Grayson has
such high-fown notions of honesty as
you have. You're too conscientious for
an everyday business man, and you
ought to be a deacon or q Sunday
school teacher Every time you hear
of any body being sick or in need you
fly off to help him."
Zeke made no reply to this accusa-
ton, but, with a shrug of his should
ers, turned and walked out of the store.
Frank soon followed, closing and lock-
ing the door after him.
The next morning the doctor came
to the store soon after it was opened,
and, finding Frank and Zeks both
there, he said:
"My squatter patient down the river
is in hard straits, and unless he has
little assistance for few days I'm
afraid he will hardly get along"
"Is he very sick?" Zeke asked.
eyes, he is, and besides he's desti-
tute. Two or three nights ago he was
robbed by couple of men of all his
money, and he hasn't a dollar or a
particle of food. He says he has plenty
at home, but it will take two weeks to
hear from there. l sent telegram for
him this morning, notifying his wife
of his condition, and she will probably
come out here"
"What is his name?" Frank asked.
His name is Brown"
Frank breathed easier. He had sus-
pected that the man might be Alice's
father.
"What do you say, Frank?" Zeke
asked. "Shall we help the man out of
his difficulty?"
"No, 1 shan't," Frank replied. 81
am not responsible for his bad luck,
and, besides, he has taken my claim.
I'll go to see him after awhile, but
only to do what I said last night. 1
have nothing to give him"
"Weli," said Zeke, "you have a right
to do asIyou please. Doctor, are you
going down to see the man this morn
"Yes."
"Then I'll 60 with you and take such
things as he needs. just name over
the articles and I'll do them up and
charge them to my personal account. "
A few minutes later everything was
ready, and Zeke and the doctor rode
away across the prairie in the direct
ion of the squatter's wagon. They
found Ike with the sick man, and as he
had remained all night he was COM
PEELED to go home, SO Zeke took his
place and remained through the day.
So, through the next ten days, Zeke
and Ike nursed the patient, taking
turns, while the doctor made regular
daily visits. Frank grumbled at Zeke
continually, saying he was fool tc
waste his time and money in any such
way, but Zeke paid no attention to
him and continued in the discharge o1
what he considered his duty.
"You haven't seen or heard anything
of Alice Grayson's father, have you
Frank?" Zeke questioned one morn.
ing, as he was preparing to visit the
squatter.
mo, not thing" Frank replied. "It
seems queer that haven't too, for be
must be somewhere in this section"
at is queer" Zeke said as he mount
ed his horse and rode away.
Shortly after Zeke reached the wag
on that morning, and while he wa.
preparing some breakfast for the sicl
man, he happened to glance ou
across the prairie toward the station
which lay ten miles to the south
Away over on rise he saw carriag,
approaching, and after the lapse o
nearly an hour it came close enough
for him to discern its occupants, and
instantly he understood what it meant
The doctor was driving, while be
hind him sat two ladies. One of these
he rightly judged, was the sick man
wife and the other was no doubt
daughter or dear friend. He waiteC
until the carriage halted at little dis
tance from the wagon, sthen going for
ward, was about to salute the doctor
but suddenly stopped, transtixed witt
astonishment. At last he murmured
'Miss Grayson, is it possible?"
"Indeed it is, Mr.. Mason," said
soft voice, "and l am glad to NEE
you The doctor has been telling u
how kind you have been to papa, an,
now we have an opportunity to than
you"
"Papa?" Zeke repeated. "He is no
your father. His name is Brown"
"He is my step-father, only" Alic
replied, "but he is as dear to me as
father could be, and you have save
his life"
, The doctor had gone to his patien
to prepare him for the reception c
his wife and daughter, and during tn
five minutes he was absent Zeke an
the ladies conversed, coming to a thol
, ough understanding of matters. Jus
! as the doctor was returning a horse
man rode up, and with one glance int
the carriage he stopped, full of astor
ishment. The horseman was Franl
y and he recognized Alice. In fe
, words the doctor informed him no
= matters were. Frank blushed an
q hung his head. He knew by the coo
;, ness of Alice's greeting that she ha
no love for him, but he did not kno
+ that the doctor had informed her
his conduct toward her father.
He learned that later, howeve
= when, CHANGING to meet her, he a
tempted to regain her old-time frien
illness and reminded her of the wore
% she had once spoken.
e Il did think l loved you," she sal
% "but find l was mistaken. I'm sure
~ never did love you"
+ "You thought you did, Alice"
7 said, sadly. what has changed yo
- now?"
% % 81 would rather not tell you"
- "But you must. l insist. Has Eel
- been telling you something's"
= mo, he has not. He has nev
! mentioned your name to me. But
IF have learned how you acted iowa
papa, and l cannot love a selfish man
/ Two months later Frank sold out
xI interest in the store and went furth
4 west, and a month later still, Zeke al
Alice were made man and wife. Brov
~ kept the river claim and built nj
- home on it, and now has one of t
/ finest farms in the state.
Iy Zeke never regretted the kindne
: he did the squatter, for Alice was |
~ reward. -EGchange.
to
Id With Good Reason.