Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1906-02-07

constant and wearying struggle.
She entered SO suddenly that the
startled boy spluttered little over his
spoonful Of stew.
SISTER" he said with a little gasp,
''you should always knock before you
come in-didn't you know 1 might
have company? This Is my sister,
sir. Emma, this Is Mister"
Greer" said the stranger.
The stranger put out his hand and
the girl hesitatingly met the friendly
advance.
Il am pleased to meet you, Miss
Arnold he said Then he looked
around at the boy. "Joe," he added,
perhaps you'd better explain how I
happen to be here"
"Take off your hat, Emma" said
the boy, land sit down. 1t was this
way. l was getting awful bad an I
called out an this gentleman came
in an he rubbed the pain away an
he said, Are you hungryY an 1 said
| was, an he bought the oysters an
the oranges an cooked 'em an they're
the best ever" And he hastily took
another spoonful.
That's really all there is to it."
said the stranger. Except that there
is another bowlful Of the stew and
it's piping hot and Joe and I insist
upon your eating it."
He placed a chair at the table in a
moment and bowed the reluctant girl
into it, and brought the steaming stew
to her and then turned back to the
boy.
And the boy nodded up at him in
evident approval and went on dispos-
ing Of his soup.
You are very kind, SIR" said the
girl. "Are you doctor?" And she
looked up.
The boy laughed.
Hes better n forty.leven DOCTORS"
I'm nothing as useful as a DOCTOR"
the stranger said.
Il can't understand it ALL" she said,
"but you seem to have been of some
use here. When l hurried away that
poor boy was in torments-and now
look at him!'
The stranger did look at him and
the youngster chuckled.
Joe and l are pretty good friends"
the stranger said, land 1 have been
thinking out a way Of proving our
friendship. This is no place for him
of course l understand why he re-
mains here. But if he was placed In
a sanitarium that 1 know about, such
a bright and cheerful place.. he would
soon be well again. You must let
me put him there. And 1 think there
would be little trouble in securing a
room in the neighborhood for your
self. Yes, yes, you are going 10 say
that all this costs money But you
are not to bother yourself about that.
We want to get Joe on his feet again
where he can be Of some help to you
and himself. You are to leave all the
details to me. And now that this is
understood l will bid you good night"
He arose and took up his hat
Zone moment" said the girl and her
noise was a little tremulous. 'They
were talking about a Mr.. Greer at
Mrs. DeGarmo's where / was sewing
last week. a Mr. Durham Greer If
you are Mr.. Durham Greer 1 think
1 can understand this better"
81 am. And may 1 ask what they
said about me"
'You won't feel hurt if 1 tell your"
"Oh no." And he smiled encour-
agingly.
"They-they said your very rich
father had spoiled you. That You did
as you pleased and lived as you oleas-
ed, and that you were very unusual
young man. Instead of spending your
money as other rich young men would
do, you went about finding oppor-
tunities for doing good in out-of-the-
way places and among the queerest
people. They shook their heads about
you, sir. II am afraid they didn't
quite approve"
There were tears in her voice as she
said this and the boy started at her
in amaZement.
Durham Greer paused at the door,
His smile was very wright
"Pm glad you told me this" he
said. Being so young there is still
a chance for me to reform. But Of
course the present case has nothing
to do with this queer infrmity Of
mine. 1 happened in here quite by
chance"
The girl arose and looked from the
boy to the man.
do you call it chance, SIR" was
softly said Believe me, it was some
thing better and nobler and higher
than that."-Grit