Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-03-31

MY squatter patient down the river is
IN bard straits, and unless he has little
assistance for few days I'm afraid ne
will hardly get along"
us le very sick?'' Z9ke asked.
"1es, he Is, and besides he's destitute.
Two or three nights ago he was robbed by
a couple of men of all his money, so ne
hash t dollar or a particle of food. He
says he has plenty at home but it will take
two weeks to hear from there sent a
telegram for him this morning, notifying
MS wife of his condition, and she will
probably come out here
What is his name?'' Frank a ked.
! HIS name is Brown"
Frank breathed easier. He mad sus-
pcvtcd that the man might be Alice's
father.
What DO you say, Frank? p Z9ke asked.
''Shall we help the man out of his diff
culty?"
No, l shan't, Frank replied. Il am
not responsible for his bad luck, and, be-
sides, he has taken my claim. I'll 90 to
see him after awhile, but only to do what
l said last night. | have nothing to give
| him"
Well" said Zeke, "you have right
to do as you please. Doctor, are you
going down to see the man this morn
ing?"
! Then I'll 90 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 direction Of the
sqaatter's wagon. They found Ike with
the sick man, and as he mad remained all
night he was compelled 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 al Z9ke continually, say
money In any such way, but Zeke paid no
the discharge Of 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.
"No, not thing" Frank replied. at
seems queer that haven't, too, for he
must be somewhere in this section
at is queer, f." Zeke said as he mounted
his horse and rode away.
Shortly after Zeke reached the wagon
that morning, and while he was prepar-
ing some breakfast for the sick man, he
| happened to glance out across the the
prarle tward the station which lay ten
miles to the south. Away over on a rise
be saw q carriage approaching, and after
the lapse of 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 behind
him sat two ladies. One of these, rightly
judged, was the sick mans wife and the
other was no doubt daughter or friend.
He waited until the carriage halted at
little distancesfrom the wagon, then go.
doctor, but suddenly stopped, transfxed
with establishment. At last he muir
mured;
Miss Grayson, is it possible?'
Indeed it is, Mr.. Mason said soft
voice, ''and : am glad to meet you. The
doctor has been telling us how kind you
have been to papa, and now we have an
1 opportunity to thank you.
''Papa7" Zeke repeated. HE is not
your father. His name is Brown"
| He is my step-father only Alice e
peated, ''but he is as dear to me as a
father could be, and you have saved his
life."
The doctor had gone to his patient
10 prepare him for the reception of
his wife and daughter, and during
the five minutes ne was absent Zoke
and the ladies conversed, coming to a
thorough understanding of matters. Just
as the doctor was returning horseman
rode up, and with one glance into the
carriage he stopped. full of establishment.
The horseman was Frank, and he recog
nized Alice. la few words the doctor
informed him how matters were. Frank
blushed and hung his head. He knew by
the ccolness of Alice's greeting that she
had no love for him, but he did not know
that the doctor had inforn.ed her of his
conduct toward her father.
He learned that later, however, when.
CHANGING to meet her, he attempted to re-
gain her old-time friendliness and remind
ed her of her words she had once spoken.
! Il did think loved you" she said
| out hnd was mistaken. I'm sure |
never did love you"
"You thought you did, Alice, he said.
sadly. "What has changed hou now?"
II would. rather not tell
But you must. insist has Zeke bee n
telling you something.
mo, ne has not. He has never men
toned your name to me. But | have
learned how you acted toward papa and l
cannot love selfish man.
Two months later Frank sold out his
interest in the store and went further west,
and month later still, Zeke and Alice
were made man and wife. Brown kept
| the river claim and built nice home on
it, and now has one Of the finest farms in
the state.
Zeke never regretted the kindness he did
| the squatter, for Alice was his reward
Exchange