The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1908-06-18

rules permit, but do not stay too long"
The next time he made the rounds
DR. Lindsay found Moreton oddly
quiet his fever reduced, his pulse nor
NAL.
Doctor" he said, with smile. that
girls coming did me more good than
all your dope. It's good to know that
there's one person that hasn't forgot
you"
And then the young doctor saw that
something more than an organic dis
ease was aiming for the old boss
heart.
Daughter OF an old friend?" he
asked casually.
mot much-just kid picked up II
a tenement; took her from a sodden
old thing who was beating the life and
spirit out of her. l turned her over to
the sisters. They did the rest"
Lindsay smiled, but he understood.
1t was the ex-boss who had paid the
sisters for the girls care and put her
through business school and set her
on her feet, saving a girlhood like his
own boyhood from the slums and the
gutter.
After that Moreton slowly but surely
began to mend. There was no curing
the disease, but there was every chance
to prolong his life for years If he want
ed to put up the fight And every time
that Betty Vynne came to the hospital
be seemed stronger for the fight
For time DR.. Lindsay watched the
case with purely professional interest,
but gradually this feeling became dis
tlnctly personal. He generally met
Betty In the reception room of the hos
pital, fingered near Moreton's bedside
during her stay and escorted her to the
entrance when she departed.
And, oddly enough, he found many
excuses for sitting with Moreton and
learning more about "the kids" plucky
fight for education and self support.
Before the first year of his sentence
had passed the ex-boss read young
Lindsay's secret. and one night after
Betty had paid her usual call the two
men talked 1t over.
"Mind you. she amt anybody. Mel
Their she nor ] know where she sprung
from. SO it's up to you" said Moreton
warnlngly and yet with loving anxiety
In every word.
Young Lindsay studied the cracks In
the flooring for few seconds. and then
he turned resoutely to his patient
"She's true blue. There are not many
L.. e
was behind her, and I'm going to take
chances If she'll have me. And, what
is more, | am going down to see her to.
morrow when I'm off duty"
SIS 1t all right, Betty?' inquired the
ex-boss as he stroked her hand tender
ly the next time she came 'Is 1t all
right, little grip
The girl smiled into his anxious eyes.
"Oh, Mr.. Moreton, do you think I'm
half good enough for hm2"
Mind that. Will your" inquired the
invalid, as If addressing an audience;
then he drew the girl close Let me
tell you something, Betty. He wouldn't
let me tell you before for fear you'd
think you owed him something. He
wanted you to love him for himself.
See? But DR.. Lindsay's got some Of
the boys started, and 1t looks like
pardon Betty; 1t certainly does"
She sank on her knees beside the
bed.
"Oh that Is too good to be true"
"And that amt all, Betty. bad
some shares in gold mine; thought 1t
was a dead one, but Lindsay he's been
looking into 1t, and mebbe-well, Just
mebbe can take you and Lindsay on
q wedding trip over to Germany. Lind
say says the springs over there would
do wonders for me. and Lindsay needs
a change. and-well, Betty. Ia been
dead by this time If 1t hadn't been for
your coming"
He looked up to meet the shining
eyes of young DR.. Lindsay.
Say. Lindsay. amt there something
In the good book somewheres about the
least Of these2 want to 6nd that
verse I'm going to learn 1t. GER
tainly am. All, there is so much for
me to learn and SO little tlmel"