Rural Retreat times. [volume] (Rural Retreat, Va.) 1892-1918, 1903-04-17

He raped lightly on the door. Wait
ing but a moment he opened it and
passed in, with the others following
him.
The door opened Immediately into the
big living room of the cottage, a COM
Portable apartment with great fire
place with log burning on the huge
andirons, a log that sent out the flicker
ing light that had illuminated the win
dow.
The old man was there, seated in
low chair by the fireplace. He looked
up as the committee entered, but
showed no surprise.
He only nodded and then held up his
hand with slight warning gesture.
The boy was III cushioned chair by
the old mans side. His head with its
long light hair was pillowed against
the old mans shoulder. He sat at
such an angle that the committee could
see the little white face and the long
white hands. and the closed eyes. The
boy was asleep.
But even as they stared at this pic
ture the child stirred uneasily.
Daddy" he cried, "daddyv'
1t was cry of terror.
Eyes. yes, dear boy am here" said
the old man gently rs he patted the
white cheek. The big eyes opened
wider and rested OH the old mans face.
The pale lips parted in a sigh.
81 had bad dream, daddy" he muir
INJURED.
Eyes. dear boy. But it was only a
dream"
II dreamed they were beating me
again, daddy"
"They will never beat you again, dear
boy"
The child was silent for moment
Then he sighed again. This time it
was a sigh of contentment.
Daddy" he softly said, cts like
heaven to be sick, isn't it,"
The old man stroked the white hands
tenderly.
There's little pain again in my
shoulder, daddy" said the boy. eff
you'll rub it just little it will go away
and then I can Sleep
| The old man reached across and
gently stroked the ailing arm and the
tired eyelids slowly closed.
Presently the stroking ceased and the
old man looked up. The committee
were grouped about the door, each man
with his hat in his hand and they were
all very still.
1.-THE child has been ill.," said the old
hos hn6 4I,,
result of his malarial surroundings and
of i'll treatment. But he is much bet
ter, and will. please God, live to be a
strong and healthy child. have nursed
him through this illness, because felt
competent to do It'll am Il graduate of
medical school-and because in his
timid and nervous condition the sight
of strange face would have greatly
retarded his recovery" He paused
and gently shifted the child's head
into a more comfortable position, and
then one of the little hands crept into.
the brown and rugged one and stayed
there. He looked up again, but before
he could speak the tall young pastor
had stepped forward.
ID,
low tones. ''these gentlemen are self
appointed committee who have called
upon you in a neighborly way with the
desire of proffering such aid as YOU
may require. They have been worried
and even alarmed by your non-appear-
ance in the village and are here be-
cause they felt it was high time that
FOL +I,N; IT
not a demonstrative people in Winter
field. We act slowly, but when we do
act we are thoroughly in earnest. And
speak for each member of this COM
mittee. sir and for all the village, too,
when 1 say that if there is aught we
can do to help you in any way you can
command us to the utmost limit of our
resources"
He paused and the old man slowly
nodded.
II thank you. Mr.. Browning" he
said, land thank you all, gentlemen.
But at present there is nothing 1 need.
Should any occasion arise, will be
glad to call upon YOU" And his head
dropped again over the child.
| There was moments pause.
"Good night, sir" said the tall young
minister.
There was little murmur of good
nights behind him.
"Good night and my thanks" said
the old man.
And the Winterfeld vigilance COM
mittee passed out,
1t was the young pastor who broke
the silence as they strobe down the
hill.
| 1--WE have misjudged this old man."
he said II believe | am free to say
so. 1t was dreadful domestic calam-
ity that brought him to this state. 1t
| humbled his pride, it crushed his am
bition. He crept away here to hide
his wounded soul. And yet he has not
entirely forgotten his fellow creatures
A great institution for the care of
child waits fourishes in the city
| through LIS liberality. And I hold in
my hands a goodly sum for the benefit
| o. l. g