Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1909-12-29
By EUNICE UNDERWOOD
1909, by American Press
Association.

steps. Her physician had certainly
been right when he recommended a
change of climate. Already she began
to feel the influence of the mild air
and the long days spent out of doors.
AS she reached the sidewalk she paused
with a questioning smile.
Where to, Mildred?" she asked.
The little girl who was skipping
along by her side looked up brightly.
1.-THE plaza, of course, mamma. You
can read, and | will play. This after
noon Wen go down on the beach"
The street was very quiet-an oc-
casional dray with its load of trunks
and baggage and here and there a
group of pleasure seekers on their way
to the plaza or the beach; overhead
few buzzards circled about, and from
the direction of the plaza came
slight breeze which was laden with
perfume of orange blossoms and the
saltiness of the bay which glistened
beyond the trees.
AS they reached the corner a keen
newsboy darted across the street, and
his shrewd face broadened into grin
when his customer smilingly refused
the change be offered.
Through the openings in the trees
they could see the white sails of pleas
ure boats on the bay and beyond these
the green shore of Promontory point.
Near the extreme end of the point rose
the tall white buildings of the state
penitentiary. Mrs. Bradford shivered
a little as she saw them. The grim
buildings seemed out of place in this
quiet winter resort.
1t was not far to the plaza, but when
they reached it they found that most
of the settees were already occupied.
They walked down one of the side
paths and came back by the fountain.
AS they did so Mildred turned sud
denly.
There's a seat that's most all emp
ty." she whispered eagerly.
1t was a little off the path and half
hidden by the low branches of live
oak. AS they approached Mrs Brad
ford noticed that its only occupant
was tall young man whose face look
ed strangely white and eager. He
watched them curiously as they sat
down. and his lips parted in a friendly
smile. Then. as though conscious or
Improperly, he got up and began to
walk back and forth uneasily. For a
time Mrs. Bradford scarcely noticed
him, then something peculiar about
his step caused her to raise her eyes
from the book she was reading. The
young man seemed to have forgotten
their presence and was walking back
and forth with bowed head. Every
few seconds he wheeled sharply and
retraced his steps.
Mrs Bradford noticed with curious
wonder that he always wheeled at ex-
actly the same points. Then she saw
that his left foot dragged behind the
other as though it carried a heavy
weight. At first she thought he was
lame, but even while she was COM
paSSionating him ne raised his head
with a quick, startled movement, and
for a time the lameness disappeared
and the walk was extended to the
end of the path.
Then his head once more sank upon
his breast, the short turns were re-
sumed. and the left foot again began
it's weary, dragging motion. Appar-
emily he was conscious of his weak
ness, for several times she saw him
recover himself impatiently and glance
sharply around.
Overhead the hooking birds were
calling to each other, and something
in their notes seemed to arouse him
from his reverie. Presently he stop
ped beneath the tree and glanced up
with a rapt expression on his face.
Mrs. Bradford saw it, and her eyes
softened.
"You like the birds?' she said pleas
antly.
fused to- be replied hesitatingly.
Then, noticing the surprise in her
face, he added apologetically: Il
haven't seen any before for most ten
years. They seem sort of strange"
He stood still for a moment with the
color deepening on his sallow cheeks;
then he slouched forward and threw
himself on the grass at the foot of the
tree. Mrs. Bradford gazed at him Curl
ously for moment and then returned
to her book.
Out in the path Mildred was play
ing with her ball. At length it struck
q limb and bounded toward the young
man. He picked it up eagerly and half
rose to his feet; but. seeing the fright
ened look on her face, he tossed it back
and resumed his slouching position on
the grass.
After awhile the ball again rolled to
his feet. This time he did not offer
to return it. AS Mildred approached
he looked up, with smile.
1.-The covers coming off your ball. .
he said pleasantly. IF you'll let me
I'll fix it. | know how"
"But mamma said I'd have to take