Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1907-11-07


Wonderngly Maddy looked at her, ant
then as a confused recollection of where
they had met before crossed her mind
she smiled and said:
Where am | now? Have | never come
home, and is this Dr. Holbrooks otice?'
No, no; it's home, your home, and
you are getting well,' Jessie cried, bend
ing over the bewildered girl. "Dr. Hol-
brook has cured you, and Guy is here,
and |, and"
Hush, you disturb her. the doctor
said, gently pulling Jessie away, and him
self asking Maddy how she felt.
She did not recognize him. She only
had vague idea that he might be some
doctor, but not DR.. Holbrook. sure not
the one who had so puzzled and tortured
her on day which seemed now so far
behind. From the white haired man
kneeling by the bedside there was burst
of Thanksgiving for the life restored, and
then Grandpa Markham tottered> from
the room. out into the open air, which
had never fallen so refreshingly on his
tired frame as it fell now, when he first
knew that Maddy would live. He did not
care for his homestead; that might go,
and he still be happy with Maddy left.
But He who had marked that true dis
ciple's every sigh, had another good in
store, willing it so that both should come
together, even as the two appointments
had come hand in hand.
From the soft cushions of his carriage
where he sat reclining, Guy Remington
saw the old man as he came out, and
alighting at once, he accosted him pleas
antly. and then walked with him to the
garden, where, on a rustic bench, built
for Maddy beneath the cherry trees,
Grandpa Markham sat down to rest.
From speaking of Madeline it was easy
to go back to the day when Guy had
first met grandpa, whose application for
money he had refused.
Il have thought better of it since" he
said, and am sorry | did not accede to
your proposal. One object of my coming
here to-day was to say that my purse is
at your disposal. You can have as much
as you wish, paying me whenever you
like, and the house shall not be sold. Slo-
cum, | understand. holds the mortgage. |
will see him tomorrow and stop the whole
proceedings
Guy spoke rapidly, determined to make
clean breast of it, but grandpa under
stood him, and bowling his white head
upon his bosom, the big tears dropped
like rain upon the turf, while his lips
quivered. first with thanks to the Prov-
dence who had truly done all things we'll,
and next with thanks to his benefactor
Blessings on your head, young man,
for making me so happy. You are wor-
thy of your father and he was the best
of men,
. MY father-did you know him." Guy
asked in some surprise, and then the story
came out, how, years before, when a city
hotel was on fire, and one of the guests
in imminent danger from the locality of
his room, and his own nervous fear which
made him powerless to act, another guest
braved fearlessly the kissing fame, and
scaling the tottering wall, dragged out to
life and liberty one who, until that hour,
was to him an utter stranger.
Pushing back his snowy hair, Grad
father Markham showed upon his temple
a long, white scar, obtained the night
when he periled his own life to save that
Of another. There was a dOubly warm
pressure now of the old mans hand, as
Guy replied, I've heard that story from
father himself, but the name of his pre-
server had escaped me. Why didn't you
ell me who you were?'
Il thought 'twould look too much like
it as a right-too much like |
begging. and l s'pose l felt too proud. |
Pride is my besetting sin-the one I pray |
most against"
Guy looked keenly now at the man
whose besetting sin was pride, and as he
marked the cheapness of his attire, his
,antaloons faded and short, his coat worn
hreadbare and shabby, his shoes both
iatched at the toes. his cotton shirt minus
bosom, and then thought of the hum
lie cottage, with its few rocky acres, he
wondered of what he could be proud.
Meantime, for Maddy, DR.. Holbrook
ad prescribed perfect quiet. Even Jes-
lie was hot permitted TO stay, though
daddy clung to her as to a dear friend
few whispered words Jessie had told
Ter name, saying she came from Aiken
ide, and that her Brother Guy was there,
90, outdoors. in the carriage. 'IIe heard
ow sick you were at Devonshire, this
and drove right home for me to
ONE to see you. told him of you
hat day in the Office, and that's why he
rought me, | guess. You'll like Guy.
know all the girls do-he's 50 good"
Sick and weary as she was, and un-
BILE as yet to comprehend the entire
leaning of all she heard, Maddy was con-
cious Of a thrill of pride in knowing that
,uy Remington, from Aikenside, was in
crested in her, and had brought his sis
er to see her, Winding her feeble arms
round Jessie's neck, she kissed the soft,
'arm cheek, and said, You'll come
gain, | hope"
"Yes, every day, If mamma will let me-
don't mind it a bit, if you are poor"
Tut, tut, little tattler ~ and DIR. Hol-
rook took Jessie by the arm. "What
lakes you think them poor?"
In the closely shaded room Maddy
ould see nothing distinctly, but she
card Jessie's reply: Because the plas-
aring comes down so low, and Mad1y's
flows are so teenty, not much bigger
han my dolly's. But l love her; don't
on. dOctorT'
Through the darkness the doctor caught
be sudden fash of Maddys eyes, and
omething impelled him to lay his cool.
road hand on her forehead, as be replied,
l love all my patients" then, taking !
essie's arm. he led her out to where Guy
'as waiting for her. :