Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1906-04-07
BY INA WRIGHT HANSON

uOTnlnk. sldFttU Out tD Illu Il girl
used To know and who | heard was liv-
Ing here got tangled up In Il minstrel
show going over and coming back got
mixed into a funeral | didn't know
exactly where she liv,rl and had all
Boston Kavinc ont looking for her. I'm
sure the folks down there haven't been
SO stirred w for years
The voice beyond the bowlder broke
most pleasantly into Fcnton's moody
thoughts. He sat VI promptly, but eau
tiously.
That's the first decent voice I've
heard In this accursed place he OBJ
served silently
Ii didn't seem 10 be- an accurSed
place. Fragrant with pine needles.
vocal with the humming of bees in late
manzanta blooms and the laughter OF
a watcrcrcss laden stream: beautiful
with brick red soil varied green's In
foliage and glimpscs of heavens own
blue II seemed like a charming spot
the only discord the pale faced hollow
eyed man himself.
Il didn't tind the girl after all" the
musical tones went on. but found
the house she used to Ike in
Fent0n listened impaticntly while the
other voice said things. querulous
things burlcned with the uehes and
pains Of the speaker "a typical sani-
tarium voice" thought Fcnton pccylsh-
ly. Then he frightened rs the first
speaker remarked
You think you will - back. do youf
oh. no. the walk hasn't hurt you Ex-
ercise and fresh air do wonders for u
body often No, | am going TO stay and
read till luncheon"
In silence Fenton wondered II she
would read aloud. but instead she be
gan to sing He fairly held his breath
notes soft rs wood doves: II voice
exquisite by nature and unspolled by
training She was singing lifting
lyric of love. and Fenton thought of n
swinging gate. scurrylng clouds and
his first sweetheart's first kiss. years
and years forgotten. Then without
any perceptible hesitancy, the melody
changed 10 a lullaby tender as Il moth
er's prayer. and the weary look left
the mans eyes. the hard lines around
his mouth relaxed. aud he drew a long,
almost Sobbing breath. The melody
ceased. and Fenton felt as II he had
never had desire in his life but TO
hear her sing He arose and went 10
the other side OF the bowlder.
Pardon sick man" he began. but
his tongue seemed paralyzed His only
conscious thought was that he was
glad the girl In her nurses uniform
was So fair Her eyes gazing curious
ly up at him bad never a hint of fear
In their amber depths. lie gathered
his senses together
Il haven't slept naturally for
week" lie said bluntly. VIII you sing
for me-"
When Fenton awoke the sun was
shining no longer He sat up quickly
and found that great shawl was
keeping the evenings chilliness from
him; then his eyes discovered the nurse
leaning against a tree regarding him
gravely.
You have stayed here all day-you
have had no lunch" he exclaimed.
She smiled, "Oh, no: when | was
sure you would stay asleep went
back 10 the sanitarium. and then
came again
They arose. Fenton folded the shawl
and laid II over his arm
How am ever going 10 thank you?"
he began.
Don't try" she answered simply.
preceding him down the narrow path.
Il worked too hard and collapsed,
he explained "Shan't be 50 foolish
when | get well again. am going to
get we'll now that | can sleep Maybe
you have heard Of John Fenton car
pet manufacturer, am the IDIOT"
"Oh." exclaimed the girl, then added
hastily: "A pebble rolled under my
foot. | am Sybllla Long. nurse
He wondered at the deep flush which
Overspread her face-they were at the
foot OF the hill and walking side by
side.
Cant ! syndicate your servicesY"
he inquired gravely. DO you suppose
the doctors are averse to graft?"
He thought her low laughter was
pleasanter even than her song or her
speech. That night he slept as he had
not for year
A new life was beginning for John
Fenton. The sanitarlum's grim walls
no longer spelled TO him hopelessness
The doctors were compliment over so
satisfactory convalescent, but Fen
ton laughed In his sleeve at them. IL
was not pills and potlons which had
made n man of him again. but the ton
ic OF a sweet voice and a gracious pres
ence.
She seemed, this fair Sybilla, to be
overyoung for a nurse. Perhaps for
that reason the grave doctors INDUCED
her beyond the others. AZ any rate.
she always had time for Fenton. and
daily she fascinated him more He
had not been man OF many loves.
The first little sweetheart dead years
before. and the woman his mother
wanted him TO marry. but whom he
had perversely refused even TO meet