The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-06-29
TIE Lon0 Resi- Of
Durham Greer.

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For several days he had been bothered
with>l dull headache. His bones ached,
too, and there Were unpleasant spots
floating across his eyes. A feeling OF iul-
pending danger seized upon him. He
laughed at himself in vain. He could
not Sl,akc it off. Tic wasn't homesick.
There was no place that he could really
call home. True. there were plenty Of
to welcome him and cheer him up, but ne
fingered on In Cleveland. There were
friends in Cleveland, too. who would
throw wide their doors to him. Yet he
staij on at the hotel.
As the days wore along the tired feel.
in- increased. He lost his appetite. Ev.
cry cXcrtion was distasteful.
Il need a good rest" he muttsred to
his reflection in the glass. That's what
ais NC"
lis father, he frequently reminded
himself, was somewhere ON the Pacific
coast on an important business errand
1t would not do to annoy him with such
tri9r.; rs 81 attack of blues. 1t WAS cut
I'll the question. And yet he thought
aln,it his father 81 good deal.
On the sixth day he awoke to find the
room revolving around him.
I'm going 10 he ill.," he said.
When III" room quieted down little.
he arose ana dressed himself with great
care. Ii WAS slow and somewhat
painful process. but it was finally nc
complishrd. Then he put his belongings
in II; vulisc.
Let me see" he murmured to himself
II must face this dilemma squaEely. I'm
going To he i'll. That's certain. | doR't
20 70 81 hospital" He shudGlered slight.
y. "Ncver did like hospitals" he add.
ed lie Shuddrrcd again and went on:
Must 90 out and find some place to b.
IL. No time to lose. Don't want to be
Ill in til" city. Country is the place
0uirt. pleasant view, wholesome fare.
Country hy all means. He arose little
unStcalily and picking up his bag. car.
ricd it down to the office, where he paid
his LilI Ti.rn be wandered out of the
hotel and up tie street. and. 10, when he
reached the corner Il suburban car was
approaching, He climbed aboard and
rode until til" city. with its rattle and
St'i'iht " lN slll pCiii.Eh. IN
feit that Er had gone far enough. He
aIightc,l bcE"Ith 4 great elm tree and
sat "n the little bench ut its roots fol
Il moment Ia look about and get his
hearings. There was 4 double row OF
c!ri trees stretching away before him
There were coy looking houses on either
side Of the smooth highway. There were
smiling fields spreading to right and left
IL tn o.tr
upon, and low down on the horizon there
were blue hills. lie looked about and
nodded his head with satisfaction. Their
he picked up his bag and moved along
lie did not 90 far. The fields in the late
spring sunshine suddenly took on n vel
Of glamour. and the rows Of trees march
cd toward him unstcadily. He turned
abruptly and walked W the slope toward
4 neat cottage in whose doorway stood @
woman. She was perhaps GO. with 8
gentle, mothcriy face and soft gray eyes
that looked down upon him curiously a:
he came toward her.
Durham Greer stopped and took of hit
hat.
Madam" be said in his courtliest
tones. may rest in your cottage for 6
few momcnts%
WIN - NAA~n
smile, though her face grew anxious n:
he dropped heavily in the easy chair she
pushed toward him. You are not we'll,
She added.
81 am not strong" he said. 81
paused momcnt and'looked about him
] 1ncn he smiled at the scrupulous neat
mess 81 The modest household effects
Tic smile grew softer as his gaze rested
on the woman's sympathetic face. Mad
am" he said. will you take me into. youl
house as n guestf Wait. please; let me
explain. You are n paragon Of house
keepers. Are you a nurse as well?'
She fell in with his mood Mt once.
Yes" she answered. Her eyes grew
moist. She arose hurriedly and brought
him little glass of homemade cordial
| AS she handed it to him she gently push
| ed back the hair from his hot forehead
and he looked up and smiled at the sooth
| ing touch.
Can you spare me-" she asked, "whil'
| / cali in the doctor?"
"noctor?" ne echoed. 81 had quit,
| forgotten about the DOCTOR"
| Il will be back very soon." she said a.
she caught up her hat.
| I'm in great luck" Durham gravel!
| said rs she hurried down the slope to thu
highway.
lie ravo sigh of satisfaction ant
leaned back in the chair. His eyelid
| slowly trunpcd. and he fell into ligh
| ,lozr. The touch of a gentle hand arous
ed him.
| Back so soon?" he murmured.
| JSut it was not the motherly eyes tina
looked down into his. Ii was the Snnrlc'
| ant bearded face of an elderly man. l
WIS Il kindly face and yet n serious face
| and the eyes were eyes that had beel
| mistc,l over by much suffering and ye
hai preserved their sparkle.
81 am DR. Graham" same a voic
from between the bearded lips. 1t was
grufr VOICE. and yet Durham liked it.
- am Dunham Greer" he said and pu
| ont his hand. The doctors fingers close
over it aMI held it fast, his keen eye
searching the face of the young mar
Then he frowncd.
"You should have been in bed a wee
ago" he Growled.
II guess that's right" said Dunbar
dr0wsiiy. Been walking around in M
sleep. | think. Couldn't find the righ
sort of bed Never do to be i'll in hote
,Tuu know, and hospitals are quite-qult
out Of the question"
The. doctor looked around. The mott
c,iy faced woman stood at the foot of th
stairway.
1.-THE room is ready, DOCTOR" she said.
Ten inmates LATER Durham looked u
from his cool pillow with Il deep sigh c
satisfaction.
You'll take the case, doctor?' he asked
"I'II take thr case
"And you'll do your best, know. 70
see, it wouldn't be fair to father to mel
lect apy points that n,iGhkaid in Fnv-r'
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