Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1906-08-15
THE SYMPATHY OF
MISS AUDENREID
(Original.]

W
days after this she saw young ma
whose overcoat reached to his ankle
walk somewhat stifly to carrlag
standing at the door, get In and go 70
fellow, faultlessly dressed, and jus
before being driven away he cast
glance at the window where the lad,
was standing looking at him. She q
once lowered her glance and left tn
window
A few days later she saw the sam,
young man driven away again. III
looked up at her window; but, as sh,
was standing at distance, she KEEP
her position and noticed that the oc
cupant of the carriage kept his eye!
fixed on her window till he had passed
| beyond her house. Several times
week he took a drive and always look
ed for her Miss Audenreid's curiosity
was excited to know why the young
man always wore the long Overcoat, be
the weather cold or warm, and why
she never saw him leave the house on
foot She also noticed that as soon as
he was comfortably seated he bent
down and adjusted something, but
what the process was she could moi
see.
One day she went to the window just
as he was driving away, not knowing
that he was out, and received q look
In which there was unconscious ad-
miration. AS the carriage turned an
automobile came tearing down the
street, there was collision, and when
it was over painful sight greeted
Miss Audenreid. The man who lived
opposite was being carried back into
the house. But the most horrible sight
of all was a man disappearing within
the house carrying leg.
To see a mans leg cut off in this
horrible manner completely unsettled
the lady's nerves, and she had not the
courage to even look at the house
opposite for several days. Mean
while her heart went out to the
mutilated man. She was anxious
to know whether he would live and
would have asked her brother to In
quire if she had had a brother, which
she had not. She restrained her sym
patty for awhile, then wsffeette a note
stating that lady who had witnessed
the accident wished to be informed
no. hn In
This she sent by a maid to the propri-
etor Of the house opposite. He sent 1t
up to the sufferer and In a few min
utes a reply came down, written on
note paper decorated with a crest, say
ing that the gentleman was profoundly
moved by the lady's sympathy and he
was happy to say that his physician
assured him that he would recover.
Miss Audenreld sent her maid over
again with inquiries, and with the reply
she brought number of roses with
a request that the sympathetic lady
would permit the sufferer to thus ex-
press his appreciation Of her kindly
interest
Miss Audenreid looked at the beauti-
full flowers, remembered the uncOn-
scious glance Of admiration the Invalid
had given her but a moment before
having been mutilated for life, and a
tear stood In her eye She considered
that she was warranted in encouraging
a sufferer to get again on his feet-or,
rather, his one foot-and permitted her
self by sending a note of thanks to
be drawn into correspondence, for
The sufferer replied to her note Of
thanks begging her to help him bear |
ais confinement and his sufferings by
writing him occasionally, promising not
10 misconstrue her action. A number |
If letters passed between them and it |
seemed to Miss Audenreid that In her |
she had found a man |
whose sentiments rendered him worthy |
% be loved by any woman. Indeed,
The began to feel a regret-somewhat |
selfish, 1t Is true-that he had been de-
,rived of his leg, for she could not
hlnk of marrying a man who must
robbie through life.
Finally the invalid wrote that he
ad been promised that he might go
nut at the end Of the week and begged
hat his first exit might be call upon
be lady whose encouragement had
'een the cause Of such a speedy re-
overy. Miss AudenreId replied that
he took great pleasure In granting his
equest, and from that moment till
be time of the appointed visit her
cart huttered omlnously. She, how
yer, fortified herself with an lrrevo-
able resolution that she would not
I've way to anything which would lead
} her having to refuse man with but
ne leg.
1t was arranged that the invalid
lould call about o'clock In the even
q. Miss Audenreid had great easy
lair placed for him before a cheerful
pen fire and threw an afghan over
10 back ready for use.
When the bell rang promptly at 8
clock and the visitor had been an ,
,unced Miss Audenreid went to the
awning room. To her establishment,
@ invalid advanced to meet her with
buoyancy Of step that he had not !
assessed even before the accident. (
~ am delighted" she said, chat you |
We supplied your defect so success
lily" {
what defect"
Your lost leg"
II haven't lost it. 1t was brought
to the house. You see, had foot I
which / couldn't walk and for ap-
arances sake used cork support,
rapping up my leg from the knee I
| was in the carriage, when I al '
avs unstrapped It, My nerves we're I
altered by the accident, but my foot !
now entiraly we'll"
Miss Audenreld gave her heart and {
nd to q man with two legs. I
HARRIET CAWLUY. s
Greatness Is To take the common