Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1907-10-24

Il can procure its use and you will
accept my services, will gladly drive
you to the farm mentioned"
The soft gray eyes were lifted to
his face with a glow of trust and
gratitude that would have repaid the
| speaker for a far greater offer.
ooh, l cannot tell you how grateful
/ should be-" she said, fervently, land,
perhaps l could sit here in the storea
till you have made inquiry"
| Undoubtedly" replied Leonard,
promptly, and escorting his protege to,
seat within, he fastened away in
her service.
The ready sympathy and aid accord,
ed her in her dire need had quickly,
won the confidence of his fair COM
panion, and her ardent appreciation
of the kindness thus bestowed, in
spired the desire to render herself
as agreeable and as little burdensome
as possible; and ere mile Law re-
hind them, her little story had been
briefly confided; how her father. be-
ing in adverse circumstances, had left
her three months before in N"ville.
with friends, while he had gone out:
in the country to begin life anew. /
AS the villagers had informed him.,
the road was neither difficult nor OBJ
scure, and in little more than an hour
he drew rein before the comfortable
looking country house known as Reds
bank Farm :.
Almost before he could assist her.,
his eager companion had sprang light
| ly to the ground, and was already at,
door, while Leonard more deliberately,
secured the horse. He could not
bring himself to leave her thus abb
ruptly, without at least learning the
result of her fears for the one so dear!
to her.
Advancing therefore to the door
through which he had seen her disap-l
pear, he was met by a woman whose
kind face betokened unmistakable
gravity.
ut is fortunate you have brought
| her." she said, with the ready COM
municativeness common to rural dis
tricts, and evidently supposin,g that
Leonard had accompanied her young
| visitor as friend or relative. 'The
poor man has been calm for her day
and night, and hope now he'll die
peaceful"
What" cried Leonard, with
startled emotion that surprised him
self, do you mean to say he is so i'll
as that?"
$50 i'll" repeated his hostess. "Why,
he cannot last more'n an hour l
should say. Why was his girl so slow
in comm? l wrote a letter for him
myself, when he was first took, near
three weeks ago, and took care to
write on the back of it: in haste!'"
For the simple reason that the let
/ ter did not reach her till yesterday"
replied Leonard, almost resentfully.
"How could it go through the mail
with no stamp upon it?"
mo stamp!" repeated the woman, a
look of deep contrition suddenly over
spreading her countenance. "Deary,
deary! l never thought O. that! l
haven't wrote letter since 1 was a
girl, when they used to be paid for
at the other end. | never thought o.
the stamp!"
She turned hastily away, and
Leonard instinctively followed to the
room near by, where as she softly
opened the door, they both stood
motionless on the threshold.
1t was truly scene to move the
stoniest heart With reckless hand
the girl had tossed her hat aside, and
kneeling on the floor at the bedside,
her head was buried on the breast
caressingly but helplessly on the soft
brown tresses. But on his pallid face,
worn by illness and many a trace of
sorrow, beamed now smile of in
effable peace and satisfaction, while
in whispers came the words.
81 knew you would come my dar-
ling; l knew l could not go without
seeing you once more"
Heart-broken sobs convulsing the
slight young form alone answered
him, till at last came the anguished
cry:
ooh, father, do not leave me! You
will not die and leave me all alone!"
The piteous appeal seemed sudden
ly to disturb that rapture of peace
which the fulfillment of his ceaseless
prayer had brought, and over the dy-
ing face crept a visible shade
Helplessly he gazed upon the head
pillowed on his breast, and then as
with mute supplication he raised his
dim eyes; they fell by chance as it
were, full on Leonard's plying face
In moment the latter stood beside
him.
am stranger to you and your
, daughter" he said, soothingly, "but
if can do anything for you, you have
, only to ask
only be a friend to her if you can,
whispered the dying man, with pain
full effort, increased by the emotion
stirred within him, and with one more