The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1909-10-15
i.splendidl" cried the girl.


Allan was busy man. while the
dreadful old buildings gave UP their
horde of lodgers There were homes
to be found, there were hungry
mouths to be fed.
And then one morning a man In a
blue uniform came to the Edwards
home
I'm sanitary officer, miss" he
said to Laura, "and I bring you a
message from Mr.. Merling. He has
been taking care Of sick boy miss,
and we find It's smallpox, and they've
both been sent to the hospital for con-
tagious cases." He saw that Laura's
face suddenly blanched. Everything
will be done for him, miss, that can
be done. He sent you his kindest re-
CARDS and asked you to visit the office
occasionally. If convenient, miss. II
you wish 1t, miss, will let you know
how he is faring from time to time"
He paused on the steps. "He Is a fine
young man, miss and has done a
splendid work, and we all hope 1t will
go light with him"
He saw that Laura was crying and
said no more.
The weeks that followed were anx-
ious ones for others beside the girl
The story of Allans labors, of the good
he had accomplished, of the sacrifices
he had made, was told throughout the
busy city.
So the weeks went by and then a
letter came to Laura. Allan was no
longer In the hospital. He was at a
sanitarium where they were trying to
build him up so he could go away-to
Colorado or Arizona, the doctor wasn't
sure which.
Il am coming to see you before
go, although 1t will hurt my PRIDE"
he wrote. I'm not Scared up 80
much, but bony, painfully and unpleas-
ant to look upon. But l want to see
you, want to tell you what you have
done for me. had lot of time to
think 1t over there in the hospital.
If 1t hadn't been for you would have
gone on In the old profiigate way.
You saw something in me that nobody
else knew l possessed. I didn't know
1t myself. They tell me I've done a
few worthy things, but 1t is to you the
credit Is due. In all things I have
'nly been your agent"
Three days later he followed the let
ter. Laura heard the carriage and ran
to meet him, and drew him into the
library and put him in the big easy
chair.
He was Just a little overcome by
these attentions, but tried to conceal
It.
This Is fine" he said. Everybody
Is so good to me- Such funny things
happen. That carriage driver out
there asked me II he might shake
hands with me- And do you see this
little bunch Of flowers. A woman was
at the door Of the sanitarium.
She gave me that. She's the mother
Of that sick boy, you remember-the
one I helped. You are looking very
we'll Miss Laura--only little pale"
She didn't answer him. She couldn't
quite control her voice. He was so
thin and pale, but the old
smile was still there.
They are having such time" he
sald finding the right sort of nurse
to 60 with me. I'm quite fussy, you
know, and need such a lot of care.
Why, what's wrong?"
She was looking down at him, and
her eyes were filled with tears.
Don't" he whispered. II shall be
sorry l came. Can't you see how I'm
trying to brace up? Don't you realize
how 1t hurts me to go away from
your"
She suddenly stopped and put her
loving arms around him and kissed |
his Scared face.
"Oh, my dear" she murmured, you
Will take ME with you and let me care
for you-always. w. R. Rose in the
Cleveland Plain Dealer.