Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1910-02-25
Number
500
ne -SoS,sd q Cbffd and Lost
His Oepn Worsbfess
Ltfe.
BY EUNicE UNDERWOOD

-sbreath as she descended the hotel
steps Her physician had certainly
been right when be recommended a
change Of climate. Already she began
70 feel the influence Of the mild air
aud the long days spent out Of doors.
As she reached the sidewalk she paused
with a questioning smile.
where to. Mldred2' she asked.
The little girl who was skipping
along by her side looked up brightly.
The plaza. of course, mamma. You
can read. aud | will play, This after
noon we'll go down on the beach"
The street was very quiet-an oc-
casional dray with its load of trunks
and baggage aud 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 a
slight breeze which was laden with
perfume Of orange blossoms and the
saitiness of the bay which glistened
beyond the trees.
As they reached the corner keen
newsboy darted across the street. and
his shrewd face broadened into q grin
when his customer smilinSly 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 tGest
the green shore of PrOmUniOry point
Near the exiremr end of the point ruSt
the tall white buildings of the state
peniieaiiary Mrs Bradford sblyere,
"a little as she saw them The grin
buildings seemed out of place in thi
quiet winter resort.
II was not far to the plaza, but. When
they reached ii they found that mOSi
of the settlers were already occupied
They walked down ono uf the side
paths and came back by the fountain.
As they did So Mildred turned sud
denly.
There's seat that's most all emp
ty." she whispered eagerly.
II was a little of the path aud half
hidden By the low branches of live
oak. As they approached Mrs. Brad
ford noticed that its only occupant
was a tall young man whose face look
ed strangely white aud eager. He
watched them curiously as they sat
down. and bis lips parted in a friendly
smile. Then. as though conscious Of
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 bis left foot dragged behind the
other as though Ii carried heavy
weight AT first she thought be was
lame. but even while she was com
passionaling him be raised his head
With quick. startled movement. and
for a time the Iameness 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
its weary. dragging motion. Appar
euiIy be was conscious of his weak
ness. for several times she saw hin
recover himself impatienIly ana glance
sharply around.
Overhead The mocking birds were
calling 10 each other. and something
in their notes seemed to arouse Tin
from his reverie. Presently lie stop
ped beneath the tree and glanced VI
with a rapt expression on his face
Mrs. Bradford saw ii. aud her eye
softened.
"You like the birds?' she said pleas
antly.
"l-used TO-" be replied besitatlngly
Then, noticing the surprise in he
face. he added apologetically: g
haven't seen any before for most lei
years. They seem sort Of strange.
He stood still for a moment with th
color deepening on his sallow cheeks
then he slouched forward and threv
himself on the grass at the foot of th
tree. Mrs. Bradford gazed at him curl
ously for a moment and then returne,
to her book
Out In the path Mildred was play
ing with her ball. At length it strucl
q limb and bounded toward the youni
man. He picked 1t up eagerly and hal
rose to bis feet; but. seeing the fright
ened look on her face, he tossed it bac
and resumed his slouching position o.
the grass.
After awhile the ball again rolled t
his feet. This time he did not offe
to return II. As Mildred approache
he looked up. with smile.
.The covers coming of your ball.
80 -